Why power windows?

[TurboFource]

"Simplify, then add lightness", power windows do not seem to follow this in my mind
I understand the need for windows that open, and there is supposedly no room room for crank window mechanisms? But why electric, why not have used something simple like leather window pulls? Simple and light........

[SilverBeast]

Because of how you almost "wear" the car I doubt you could work winders and you'd even struggle to pull a leather strap  as it would need to be in the centre of the window to pull it evenly.
Certainly it would be difficult while moving.

[BDA]

In addition to what SilverBeast said, Lotus was trying to move upscale during the time of the TC (I think some models of the Elan also had electric windows) so along with the space constraints, it makes sense. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they were offered a good deal on a bunch of those window lift motors!

[bert knip]

The renault 16 where te Lotus got its engine and transmission from, had in the early seventees also electric windows.
Maybe it was a package deal?

[jbcollier]

Nope, the window motors are Delco.

They had electric windows on the later Elans and experience with pull windows with the early Elan.  Pull windows are cool but not easily set up so they are, and stay, tightly closed.  Electric windows are actually a simple and robust package compared to manual winders.  Engineering a custom manual winder that was reliable would have been expensive.  This way they fab the frame and brackets and bolt on the motor and they are done.

[GavinT]

Anyone who's played with the Elan system of perimeter wires and nylon pulleys will appreciate the simplicity of the Europa single arm actuating system.

That said, modern Japanese cars have much smaller and lighter motors.
I've wondered how easily those might be adapted.

[gideon]

Ron Parola used a lighter motor from GM and documented it in this thread

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=971.0

[GavinT]

Hey, thanks for the link, Gideon.
I have a couple of those motors put away somewhere so I'll need to check if the gears mesh etc.

[TurboFource]

JB,
You also mention using a leather pull strap in that link......

[Sandyman]

So I am hearing, simplify "yes", add lightness "no".

[jbcollier]

What can i say, they were looking for light.

[jbcollier]

They were going upmarket from the S1 and the S1a/b's "opening" windows were pretty crude.  They relied on rubber tension and a clip to stay in place.  They generally didn't.