Strange chassis number

[Paul55]

Hello everyone, can anyone help please? My 1969 S4 Elan was imported into Holland in 1974 and on the Dutch Logbook it says that the chassis number is 9D69648D, but I have no idea where this number is taken from. The actual chassis number is in this number, and what's on the original LOTUS chassis plate.By 1974 it was required to have a number engraved on the chassis somewhere, the screwed on LOTUS chassis plate wasn't considered good enough. Has anyone anyone any idea what's going on?
Thanks,
Paul.

[pharriso]

That’s a made up number, your real chassis number is 45 (or 36)/9648....

[ericbushby]

Hi Paul,
Check out the Elan Registry.
36/9648 is listed as a 1969 S4SE white FHC owned by Peter in Wormeveer Holland.
Last entry by peter was 15th June 2020
This may be your car.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S4SE DHC

[Paul55]

Yes Eric, I have seen this and it is my Elan, and it was Peter who first had this number logged as the chassis number, unfortunately i was told that Peter died so I can't find how it came about. The last entry that I can see was in 2019.
Paul.

[Paul55]

Peter was the President of the Lotus Club in Holland and he died in 2014. https://www.lotusclubholland.nl/en/lch/ ... -1951-2014

Paul.

[MarkDa]

Peter did well to post in Elan Regisry in June this year then

[gherlt]

Hello everyone, can anyone help please? My 1969 S4 Elan was imported into Holland in 1974 and on the Dutch Logbook it says that the chassis number is 9D69648D, but I have no idea where this number is taken from. The actual chassis number is in this number, and what's on the original LOTUS chassis plate.By 1974 it was required to have a number engraved on the chassis somewhere, the screwed on LOTUS chassis plate wasn't considered good enough. Has anyone anyone any idea what's going on?
Thanks,
Paul.

At least in Germany you can correct error in the papers if you can prove them wrong.
No the same extent, but my US papers do not have the "/" symbol, so instead of "TT/NNNN" it states "TTNNNN". Asked at german MOT man, he answered that they know sometimes chassis numbers are not correctly transcribed and that they correct that.

I suppose in Luxembourg there is similar procedure ?
Make pictures of your plate, ask for a certificate and then start procedure ...

[Paul55]

Thanks for the tip about German regulations, but I think that my problem is not quite the same. It's not just a / that has been miss-read, the complete number is different. I'm worried that if I point this out and try to have it corrected that it won't be allowed and that I'll never be able to register the Elan in Luxembourg. Still; thinking of what to do.
Thanks all the same,
Paul.

[Bits]

Hi Paul,

It looks like you only joined LotusElan.net yesterday, welcome.
Have you researched the old posts yet?
Chassis/sub frames on these cars is a right dilemma from what I have seen, especially when it has not been replaced with a Lotus one.

Good luck.

Mark.

[Paul55]

Thanks Mark, yes it has a Lotus replacement chassis with a very clear LR number engraved in. It was supplied by Lotus in June 1988 and it's still in perfect condition. But the LR number just adds to the problem, this is even further away from the 9D69648D which is on the documentation. I am thinking of making a chassis plate on some thin ally and riveting it over the LR number, then the inspectors here have something that matches the docs.
Paul.

[Bits]

You say the car was imported into Holland in 1974.
The sub frame was replaced by Lotus in 1988 by a previous owner. For some reason, which you do not know why, the Dutch Logbook is not correct and you need to correct the mistake?
Your lucky it has a replacement Lotus sub frame of the backbone type with a box section spine rather than one with a totally different space frame design.
Your cover suggestion will not remove the problem but exacerbate it - especially when you come to sell.

[trw99]

Paul, if you give me your Engine No I may be able to help.

Tim

[Paul55]

Bits, I know what you mean but to sell it in the future I would first have to import it into Luxembourg and register it to obtain papers. As it is now I think that I will have a problem doing both. Here in Luxembourg they are sticklers for matching car and documentation, slightest difference and it's a big problem. I should have checked it more carefully before I bought it I guess, but as it had valid Dutch papers I didn't see the need, I only noticed this once I got it back home. And it still has a perfect and clear original LOTUS chassis plate on the bulkhead, which will cause more confusion.
Tim, yes the engine number is L21159 which is an SE spec according to everything that I have read.
Paul.

[MarkDa]

Hopefully stickers for paperwork will respond favourably to a fully documented explanation of the inconsistencies - but it will have to be comprehensive and watertight at first submission.
Fingers crossed for you.

[trw99]

Paul, with the following information, write to Andy Graham, the Lotus factory archivist, [email protected]" target="_blank and ask for a letter of provenance. Despite what has been written elsewhere, you do not need to spend a small fortune on the de-luxe version recently announced, Andy will still do you a basic letter and certificate for a reasonable price.

Armed with that irrefutable evidence from Lotus Cars themselves, the Luxembourg authorities should amend your records satisfactorily, I would hope.

Unit No 9648
Engine No L21159 (L = SE Stromberg for Domestic market)
Type 36 FHC
Series 4 Special Equipment
Colour NK
Invoice Date: NK but likely Dec 1969

Tim