Fit the main loom behind the dash board first and connect to the backs of the instruments. The front and rear looms can then be connected to the main loom. With that done, fit the heater controls in readiness for the dash to be attached to the car. Take care screwing the heater controls to the dash - if the screws are too long they will break through the veneer.
The Emerald ECU also fits behind the dashboard. Once you're satisfied that everything is working, you can ease the wiring and dashboard into place and secure it with four screws along its top edge and two on its bottom edge. Incidentally, Spyder used a new dashboard, which costs just £165. Reveneering would generally set you back more than that.
The top of the dashboard will often crack due to the sun's heat. Replacements are available but they're produced in glassfibre rather than being padded like the originals. Spyder prefer to have the old dashtop recovered by a professional upholsterer. It's held in by the demister vents - easy to attach while the screen is out.
It's likely that any donor Plus 2 will have come with ropey seats. Spyder had front and rear seats, door trims, rear quarter trims and the transmission tunnel retrimmed in leather for that last touch of luxury remember, the Plus 2 was always meant to be the grand tourer of the Lotus range. A cheaper alternative would be second-hand trim parts, though.
Your choice of wheel will affect your enjoyment. The original wheel, shown here, is unnecessarily large considering the light steering. It's also too flexible, so the steering feels less precise than it is. Spyder recommend a 13 in wheel - a Mountney, for example, is fine if money is tight but the ultimate is a Moto Lita or, for more modern looks, a Momo.
Most Plus 2s came with conventionally fitted windscreens, but the last of the model line sometimes had a bonded screen. The latter has to be fitted by a professional but Spyder play it safe and have even a conventionally fitted screen sorted out by a professional. The first job is to push the windscreen seal onto the lip of the windscreen aperture.
