The Numbers Game

[Backmarker]

Hello, again.

So as reported from the engine bay plate:
Unit no. - 45/8230
Engine - LP13244LBA
Paint code - L06 (passenger door still in this livery)

Upon request from Lotus I sought the pressed body number, but the firewall fiberglass is behind a sheet of metal (no rust or oxidation given the car’s recent habitat). I removed some rivets and found a flush surface. Then noticed the carb-side bonnet latch mount holes are not evident, nor holes for the solenoid.

The engine bay as a space is not covered in the parts list and this sheet of metal does not appear in the images for BB or BC.

Both door shells have “7333” inscribed in them, so I reported that to Lotus. I’ve seen posts describing written body numbers in the cockpit on some cars, alas none are evident, nor on the bonnet/boot as they’ve both been painted over. I checked the glove box but found no writing, just the part number.

Are we looking at a replacement shell, but the original doors, etc.? From the archive there was a point when the pressed number no longer appeared. (Edit: Andy Graham also promoted the replacement shell theory but that the 7333 would be correct given the manufacture period for the car).

And… The chassis/subframe is LR1818. The earliest owner I know of registered the car in 1978. Would this one be galvanized?

Cheers, make it a double.

Jim