Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have a UK V5 registered Elan. V5 says it is an S2 first registered in UK in 1972 and is has a 6-digit chassis number. Should S2s not have 5-digit numbers?

the unit number should be typically of the form 26/3xxx for a S2 the 3 maybe a 4 for later S2's I am not sure at which chassis numbers the S2 changed to S3. Only the first few hundred cars were of the form 26/xxx and I thought they were all S1

Why was a S2 first registered in 1972?

cheers
Rohan

Why was a S2 first registered in 1972?

Perhaps because it was registered outside of the UK system when sold new, & then brought back at a later date?

At that time there were no "age related" registrations available, & the car would simply have been given a reg number for the year involved i.e. the date of first registration in the UK.

My own S2 was sold from the factory to The Channel Islands (Jersey) when new in September 1965 & given a Jersey registration there. It then came back to the UK in 1969, & & hence carries a "G" registration suffix.

How do I get an age-correct reg number now? What would the correct date be based on this chassis number? Historic rallying requires it.

I can't see how historic rallying requires an age related plate. That would mean any car with a private plate would not qualify. Surely a certificate of provenance would be all you'd need (PM LotusArchives on here).

If for some bizarre reason this is correct perhaps the cheapest and easiest way would be to buy a private plate with something like a B suffix.

You could argue the case with the DVLA but they can be a nightmare - perhaps a certificate of Provence would help with obtaining an age related plate. Hope you have a UK address or they'll just not deal with you.

[quote="Greg Cozier"]I have a UK V5 registered Elan. V5 says it is an S2 first registered in UK in 1972 and is has a 6-digit chassis number. Should S2s not have 5-digit numbers?[/quote]
Greg

S2 Elans all had a six series Unit No. First two digits were always 26 for the Type, then a forward hash, followed by the four digit sequential number.

The S2 Unit Nos start from 26/3900 onwards, officially.

I could speculate that your Elan might have been used only for competition up until 1972, when it could have then been registered for the road for the first time.

Tim

My number is 459404, does that make it an S3 number?

That's not even a Type 26 - sounds like a much later number to me

elanfan1 wrote:That's not even a Type 26 - sounds like a much later number to me

That's what I mean. V5 says S2 but 45 chassis number is S3/4 prefix.

Greg

I've just replied to your email. 45 makes it a DHC S3 or S4.

Tim

Seems to be a S4 DHC from 69. You can locate the year with the help of

http://www.elanregistry.org

Delle

Maybe the chassis (subframe) was replaced at some stage with one from an S4 and someone not knowing to avoid it, informed the DVLC of a 'chassis' change.


What are the actual numbers on the ID plate on the car and on the 'subframe'. Look at the flat top of the chassis near where the exhaust headers almost bump into it.

Hi all

Perhaps this may help.

My Elan 1600 (S1) chassis number is 26/0538 (eng. # LP1312) and was exported from the factory to myself in Vancouver Canada.where it was registered as a 1963 model.

My order was accepted and went to production on Dec.20, 1963.- it left the factory Mar..24, 1964 - shipped from London docks April 13, 64 and arrived in Vancouver after the trip thru the Panama Canal on May 7, 64.(it cost me1210 lps.(no tax applicable).

There is a time line help .

Bill

So, does your type 45-S2 have lift up windows or electric operated window?. Does it have toggle switches on the dash or rocker switches?

Roger

Copied over from the other topic. (we seem to have two similar questions in progress)

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The real identity number of an Elan is the UNIT NUMBER on the VIN plate inside the engine compartment fastened to the fibreglass usually on top of the left hand foot compartment. This is what you should always use in dealing with DVLA.


The plate may also show an engine number, but often that is blank.

The chassis (subframe) number as mentioned above is usually stamped into the chassis on the flat bit near the exhaust down pipes. See lotus-chassis-f36/where-the-chassis-number-stamped-elan-1600-t26938.html#p179921

If you change the subframe don't bother to inform the DVLA! It will cause bereaucratic nonsense. Far simpler to buy some letter punches and punch the unit number onto the subframe.


The engine (block) number is on the block stamped into a flattish (but sloping) at top of the right-side engine mount