Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Is there any where online that shows the date points/chassis numbers like the one for the S1 and S2 on the Type 26 register please?
Been looking at S3/S4 cars and i have found a couple that have chassis numbers that i think make then different to how they appear

Hi Serious,
Try here.
https://www.elanregistry.org/app/list_cars.php
Cheers,
Colin


quote="seriouslylotus"]Is there any where online that shows the date points/chassis numbers like the one for the S1 and S2 on the Type 26 register please?
Been looking at S3/S4 cars and i have found a couple that have chassis numbers that i think make then different to how they appear[/quote]

fatboyoz wrote:Hi Serious,
Try here.
https://www.elanregistry.org/app/list_cars.php
Cheers,
Colin


quote="seriouslylotus"]Is there any where online that shows the date points/chassis numbers like the one for the S1 and S2 on the Type 26 register please?
Been looking at S3/S4 cars and i have found a couple that have chassis numbers that i think make then different to how they appear

[/quote]
Sadly the same issue on there................
I have found S3 cars with later chassis numbers than S4 cars and also S4 cars with chassis numbers earlier than some S3 cars?? Does anyone know what chassis number was the last S3/First S4 in either type 36 or 45 please???

Lotus numbering is famous for its non linearity!

MarkDa wrote:Lotus numbering is famous for its non linearity!

Yes well aware of many of the lotus peculiarities............
Another way of asking then
Can anyone tell me from there lists what 36/8897 left the factory as please s3 or s4
Its this one https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1153830
Not cheap but looks a nice car, Just seems the reg is too new for an S3 unless it was a late registration However the chassis number to me suggests an S4?????????????

I understand that 45/7895 and 36/7896 were the first S4 production cars in March 1968, from the Ross / Robinshaw book.

I'm sure a few S3 cars has chassis numbers later than those, but 1000 later? I doubt it!

Originality isn't the strongest attribute of that car in any event. Painted like a Sprint, with the shell, or at least roof, of a 1965 / 66 Pre-Airflow car....and a lot more strange details besides. Have you seen the windscreen air vents?

At this stage I would be very suspicious of the car. It's an S3 shell for sure, probably from 3 or 4 years earlier than the registration number or chassis number would suggest. I'm sure that chassis number would have been on an S4 originally as it left the factory in April 1969.

Mark

Agreed, that looks like an S3 due to rear silencer, rear wheel arches, door locks, etc. With an S4 mid front grafted on, not uncommon when S3 fronts were scarce. Therefore, I don't think the 'unit' number ties up with the car. Personally I would avoid.

Not sure this will help but my information implies that # 8897 left the factory on 20th March 1969.
Given that S4 production started in 1968 at 36/7896 and 45/7895 I would think it was an S4 when it left the factory.

Since the car in question is stated to have a Spyder chassis where are you getting the chassis number? Off of the engine bay plate? If so, the plate looks like it is in newish condition, not like the 50 year old one on my 69 S4. Thus, it could be a repro with anything engraved on it, including a spurious chassis number.

Do you have a closeup picture of the engine bay plate ? Could be instructive to see if it is original and engraved in an original style of the period.

As said earlier, not a very original car with bits from S3 - S4 - Sprint.

Just for info, my car 45/9182 was delivered to me at the factory on July 9, 1969. I believe the car may have rolled off the line a bit earlier (May 69).

Yes - this is a real bitsa.
To be fair the workmanship looks good as far as one can see.
I'd want to investigate the provenance more of I was buying.
But I think the seller is looking for Sprint money for an S4 that he says is an S3 - so it's all a bit confusing.

I noticed the window frames have the metal inside door pull like early fhc and S3's and it even looks like the boot lid hinges are the very early S3 (same as S1 & S2) and of course, there are no vents in the B piller, ie: like a pre-airflow FHC. And then it is painted to look like a Sprint and even has the big valve cam cover. Sure doesn't match the chassis number!

Roger