2011 Chrome Orange

Thanks. I ground out an extra socket to fit over it that makes it even easier.

I swapped my front bolt out with a winged bolt. Then ground down a socket to fit the winged end. Makes it pretty easy to adjust now.

Yes, you have to remove the wheel liner. Although, you may be able to turn the wheel and just loosen part of the liner to take a peek. The back of the headlight sits on a bracket that has slots to allow for adjustment. My guess is your bolts loosened, thus allowing it to droop.

Yes, standard cables fit. Both early cables, as well as '12+. The kit comes with a new cable alloy block and adapters depending on what cables you are using. I did not see an issue with my current cables ('11) but bought the InoKinetic TRANScables in case i wanted to swap them out in the future, as I know that not all Lotus parts (OEM or aftermarket) will always be available. I have a room filled with spares for this reason. I also have no issue pulling my interior apart again in the future to install new cables (I've had it all out before for other things). The car is not my daily and I enjoy working on it when I do. Its just a bunch of nuts and bolts .... and of course your time 😉.

@Lenny Nero No, I did not change out the stock cables. Although, I did buy a set of InoKinetic's TRANScables in case I decide to swap them out in the future. But, I have found no issue with my stock cables so far.

https://hethelsport.com/exterior/blackpack-side-sill-vinyl/

The manual states.. Panel Hinge "The hinge stator is secured by two M5 nyloc nuts to a bonded studplate on the clamshell, with sufficient hole tolerance to allow some adjustment of panel height. Similarly, the hinge rotor is secured by 2 M5 nyloc nuts to a studplate in the cover, with allowance made for adjustment of shutlines."

Okay... I came up with what I call a "window" shape that I liked and that I thought complimented similar shapes already on the car. I then used chalk to mark the outline of my paper pattern onto the leather console side, then carefully cut through the leather -inside of my chalked outline- by about 1/2". That enabled me to remove the cut leather to gain access to the hard console sides. I then had to lift the remaining leather a little more -to go slightly past- my chalked outline to give me room to work without damaging the leather. I used various trim tools to lift the glued leather without damaging it. This took the longest amount of time (probably close to 2 hours for both sides) as its easy to damage the leather as you lift (peel) it up. Once I had the leather lifted past my original chalk line, it gave me room to cut the hard console side to the "window shape"using various dremel bits/cut off wheels. So, I remarked my "window shape" now directly onto the hard console sides (after lifting the edge of the leather and sliding it in place) and cut out the actual "windows". Then, the easiest part was re-gluing down the leather while wrapping it inside of the "window" hole to create a finished edge. For the side screens, I took the hard side console "window" parts I had cut out to use as patterns to create a wooden buck to press the screens into the "window" shape so that they had some dimension and were not just flat. (After searching for screen that would match the rest of the screens on the car, I found the screen I used by accident while walking through a local big box hardware store. It was screen they use as rain gutter toppers.) To finish off inside the HVAC panel opening (by the top of the shifter), I had to fill in the area to attach the black material I was using. Since I do not have a 3d printer, I heated up a small piece of flat abs plastic and formed it into a "U" as needed. Then I glued on the material (upholstery tweed) so that when looking down from the top it has a cleaner/finished look. Lastly, I added LED lighting to give it an ambient glow at night through the "windows". And...

@elandri Not sure exactly what info you are looking for. If its the basic shifter installation and set-up, Manuel provides an installation manual after purchase. He also has YouTube videos for final adjustments. Or are you referring to the "visible shifter" and "side windows" I added as I installed it?

They are chrome.

Mine was delivered new that way. I had ordered the red cover ( LOTAC05499) when I ordered my car new in '11. 😉

I would add the MagCode magnetic connection as suggested above.

Since you got it open, set up the preventative measure for the future.

If you read the thread below, there are some ideas, pics and videos (not all are able to be seen anymore) on getting the front access panel open. The user who eventually got his opened used a small inspection camera (whistler ic-3709px) to aid in getting it open. He also posted a video of preventative measures to be able to get it open if it gets stuck again. https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/stuck-washer-fluid-access-door.163594/#replies

Glad you got it sorted. Now quickly patent your fix and then sell it to Lotus as I'm sure there will be more that need it. 😜