Elan Registry - Updates

[Unibrain]

I've made another update to the Elan Registry. This that have been following may notice the topic has moved to "Things in Common" forum. I've gone and done it and added the Plus 2.

Changes in this round
- Added Plus 2 support
- Revised the spotters page and added some pictures for the various models. I need more!
- Lightbox support for pictures on the list car page
- A couple of small changes to the stats page

As always, if you have a problem or find an error, please let me know.

[alaric]

Hi. That's a great register. The effort put into it is really appreciated. I just have one concern regarding security. I'll pm you.

All the best.

Sean.

[Jason1]

Hi

I have registered, great job. Hopefully more people will add pictures of their cars so we can see the differences.

Just to complicate matters a few obvious external differences for early +2;

+2 chassis numbers upto 0928 have external boot (Trunk) locks and combined door handle and locks. Chassis numbers 0929 and on have internal boot (trunk) release and separate door lock and handle. Both are still considered to be +2. The +2s was introduced on chassis number 1593 as you have on your site.

Also front fog lamps were fitted from chassis 7004100250L

Keep up the good work.

Jason

[Jason1]

Hi

I just noticed you have most of this info in the Federal description; great job.

I have sent you some dash pics, if you need anything else let me know.

Jason

[Gordon Sauer]

It's too bad the chassis numbering system is so goofy--then it doesn't work to say from this number on, this was on the car; case in point, mine a 1972 built +2S/130 Federal with chassis number 0306N--no place on car, id plates, title, anything indicates the longer, supposedly post-'69 numbering system. And I have fog lights, remote release trunk, separate door handle/lock, etc. Gordon Sauer

[rgh0]

Hi Gordon
I wonder if Lotus put the last part of the Vin number containing the build number on the car as it was assembled and then added the front section containing the build date later in case the car was not sold for a while and then they could put a later date on it so people did not know they had just bought a car that had been sitting unsold for many months.

Perhaps they did the reverse and pre numbered a stack of plates and then put the date part on when the plate was used on a car

Either way maybe yours just slipped through and they forgot to add the front section of the numbers when it was sold or assembled

cheers
Rohan

[trw99]

Gordon, Rohan

I have attempted on a number of occasions to get a definitive answer from the factory and from people working there at the time regarding when the VIN plates were made up, post 1970. Never got there yet! I suspect that in true Lotus fashion it depended and Rohan, you allude to a scenario that probably best explains what most often happened.

Gordon, I believe I am right in saying that for the Federal cars, the VIN plate in the engine compartment had the full date/unit number, the vehicle identity plate fitted at the base of the windscreen gave just the unit number, and the manufacturers plate located on the inside of the drivers door opening gave the month and year of manufacture, as well as the unit number. That is what happened with the Sprint, so I am working on the assumption it is what they did with the Plus 2 at the factory.

I do know of some Federal Sprints where the date is 7000, even though they were produced in 1972 - another conundrum!

Tim

[rgh0]

Tim

Sounds like another stuff up by the apprentice who was told to prenumber the plates with a 7 space space space and the sequence number so the year and month could be added later - he misunderstood and put in zeros instead of spaces - Lotus, never wasting a penny, used the plates anyhow - or maybe no one even picked up the stuff up

cheers
Rohan

[leifanten]

Great job with the registry! A very worthwhile effort indeed!

Merry Christmas to y'all

[Gordon Sauer]

Tim, That could be right for my car because the one missing plate was the engine compartment one and I have a blank one trying to decide what to put on it. I assumed it would match the others. Didn't think one plate might have the long number with the door and windshield one all showing just 0306N. So I'll go with the long one in the engine area, then hope it doesn't screw up my registration/title where only short number is listed and then I have to decide to scribe or stamp! Gordon Sauer

[Ross Robbins]

Gordon,

I can verify that the number plate in the engine compartment has the full year, month, code and unit number while the one on the dash visible through the windscreen only carries the unit number. The month and year of manufacture are on the door jamb plate so you can interpret the right ones for your new plate. My plate was stamped, not scribed by the way. And interestingly, the state patrol inspector who had to verify the VIN for my registration in Colorado said the official unit number is only the last four digits and the N for Federal cars as it appears on the dash, so that is what is on my registration documents...0010N. Strange