Where is the chassis number stamped on an Elan 1600

[garyeanderson]

A lot of folks think that I know it all. I don't and most times I just go and find out what I want to know by asking folks directly. It saves on the sorting out of info that is not important to me. I was having a discussion with Ian about the chassis numbers, You know thee ones that are stamped in the chassis, not the one scribed on the VIN data plate. He can't find it on either side of the top of the chassis frame longerons. I have been thinking about how the early Unit numbers and chassis numbers don't match and thought about what I have referred to as the "sequence number", this is stamped into the lower Right Hand top side of the longeron near the sway bar bolt in the chassis.

This photo is of the original chassis from 26/4997 and the chassis number on the top rail and the sequence number of 2119 on the lower rail. This is the location (and what I think Lotus) used for the very early chassis numbers.

So here's the question, where is your S1 (or Elan 1600) chassis number stamped on your chassis if you have managed to find it?

I hope that there are enough owners that will offer what they see or can find.

Gary

[paddy]

Gary,

I asked a similar question some time ago without getting a definitive answer:

elan-f14/chassis-identification-t17458.html

Paddy

[rodlittle]

Hi Gary
I couldnt find one when I scrapped my old chassis
rod

[garyeanderson]

Gary,

I asked a similar question some time ago without getting a definitive answer:

elan-f14/chassis-identification-t17458.html

Paddy

We have some folks that are S1 owners that have recently joined the forum and I thought it was worth a try to get some more views on this subject. It is not at all obvious just looking at the edge of the lower frame rail that there are numbers stamped into it. These three chassis have been sandblasted and painted, it took about 40 pictures with various light and some cardboard to get the camera to focus on the rail. Even then they are not very clear and with the body on even harder to photograph. 4997 with sequence number 2119 is easy to see but it's a low mileage 4 years on the road S2. The other two were fairly visible when they had been sandblasted before they were painted.

Gary

[Vic]

Hi,

I'm new to the group, but have owned Elan's for almost 40 years now. I have a chassis from 26/0219 that I use for suspension mock-up when I do bodywork. It has the number in the same location as my S2 Elan's. On top of the frame rail, just ahead of the right side motor mount. Stamping is a slightly smaller font, but stamped in deeper than my S2's. Also note that the number does not have a "/" between the 26 and 0219 that my S2's have. As far as I know, this is the original chassis from an Elan 1600 (local vintage racer). The car has U.S. style round tail lights, so would appear to have been a U.S. delivered car. None of my S2's have had the "US 65" stamped on the frame or VIN plate.

Vic

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[garyeanderson]

So there goes that theory

Hi Vic

That just about kills that thought of the lower rail stamping being used. If you have the body off of that chassis sometime, please take a look on the top of the lower rail around where the sway bar links mount and see if there is another number (different) stamped there. I still think that they were a sequence number stamped there by the company that made the chassis for Lotus.

Gary

[Bill]

Gents

On 26/0538, an Elan 1600 the number is stamped (not to deeply impressed) in 1/4" high figures on the visible top surface of the left hand side of the frame flange about 8 inches rear of the motor mount. It is not the easiest to see.

[LotusArchives]

I have come across this number on the lower flange before when a customer was looking for the chassis number (VIN), I believe it is most likely the chassis serial number. In build sequence unit number 4997 would be 1981st production Elan built (including those taken for 26R conversion).

The early cars had a chassis number as stamped on the chassis scribed on the VIN plate and a seperate unit number on the VIN plate. Approx 2/3rd through the S1 production the chassis number was stamped to match the unit number as opposed to being seperate numbers.

[cabc26b]

Gary,

the late 63 ( tony's car ) has the number on top , i crawled under it to see if I could make out a second number. I could not, but the flashlight and mirror technique leaves a lot to be desired.
The 64 has the numbers top and bottom
The early 63 is out on the left coast so, no data on that until my next visit out.

[Certified Lotus]

My S1 has the chassis number located on the top left side in front of the motor mount flange. I cleaned away the primer paint so you can note the location and read the number.

S1 Chassis number location

Chassis number for my S1

Note that the chassis number and my unit number don't match. I wonder if this is just an error from the guy doing the stamping as the chassis number is 260739 and my car is 260379. Did he reverse two numbers accidentally ?

[trw99]

Your Unit No is 26/3379 and your Chassis No is 0739. The numbers have not been reversed. (Unit No 26/3379 had Chassis No 0436)

Don't worry, there was no logic to Lotus records at that time! And I have called your Unit No 3379 because, at Unit No 49, Lotus added 3000 spurious cars to the list, so what was in fact Unit No 0050 became 3050, although the exact date that the 30## superseded the 00## on VINs and chassis rails is unrecorded!

Tim

[Certified Lotus]

Tim, appreciate the further clarification. The question is, how do I know if this is the original chassis that came with the car?

Here is a copy of my plate:

[LotusArchives]

Glen,

On the early Elan S1, the unit number and chassis numbers do not match (up to approx unit number 3602, as from there the unit and chassis numbers matched), however the chassis number on the VIN plate should match the chassis number on the car (if the original chassis).

Please e-mail me at work [email protected]" target="_blank with the details (include images of the body number, engine number, VIN plate and chassis) and I will try and assist you.

I am sorry buy the unit number 26/3379 is totally un-related to your car, as Tim said that unit number has a different chassis number from both your VIN plate and chassis.

Andy Graham
Lotus Archives

[trw99]

Glen

I have sent you a PM as your VIN plate has revealed more.

Tim

[el-saturn]

this is what mine shows/has PLUS the ally plate handwritten - wrong 701 L block sandy