Engine number Translation Needed !

[trw99]

Okay, I've tracked it down now for you.

50/2491 was fitted with engine F21380, finished in red and left the production line on 5 March 1970.

Tim

[i]Edit: Rob beat me to it by a whisker![/i]

[Wattie]

This is great information, thank you.
We have found the original Irish log book and it has the following information:
Colour: Red
Chassis: 50. 2691
Engine: F21380
Year of manufacture of engine:1970
First Registered 20/03/1970

Looked again for a "chassis" number on the subframe but can't see any near an engine mount so I can only assume that the blasting removed it or should I try look elsewhere ?

Still trying to find a body number, not sure where else to look.
Should I be looking for a body number the same as 50.2691 or will that be different again or can the details from the registration document ie engine and chassis numbers be used to identify the original body number ?
We are sure it is original but would love to find a number confirming it is.
Glad I found and joined the forum and sorry for all the questions but seems like I'm asking the right people.

[trw99]

Wattie

You clearly need to get the car registered with it's correct unit number now (or at least once its back on the road).

There is not (usually) any additional unit number to be found on the chassis, other than where you have already delved. Body numbers were being phased out in 1969/70, as a rule. They certainly were not recorded by Lotus at that time (as a rule!) so even if you found a number crayoned in on the body, there would be no way of tying it in with your now known unit number. However, you may find the unit number crayoned on the underside of the roof, the inside of each door skin, the headlight buckets or in some other strange places - the back of the glove compartment fitting is one!

Tim

[Wattie]

Buried beneath filler- a number

Thanks Tim .
So I have to watch out for the unit number in strange places ?
I probed further this evening and with the aid of a small chisel found a number on the bulkhead covered in filler and layers of paint !
The number appears to be on a piece of dymo tape. I thought it was a moulded number and not an actual piece of dymo which is what it appears to be buried in filler.
The number on the body shell matches a number on the inside of a door too #2535.

Will let you know if I find others in those locations Tim suggested.

Great fun this .

[trw99]

Well found! That'll be the body number.

Tim

[draenog]

Congratulations on finding the body number. My +2 left the factory the day before yours (on the 4th of March, according to the Plus2_numbers.pdf) although it has a new style VIN of 7001010019L.

The body number was buried beneath layers of paint. A bit late now but I took a picture to help locate it. It may be useful to somebody else. The number is 2590, which is fairly close to yours. Seems to be quite a lot of variation in how long it took to complete a car.

[rgh0]

Not all original chassis had the unit number stamped on them. Both my 68 Elan and 73 Plus 2 which had their original chassis when I got them had no unit number stamped on them. The body numbers from the moulded in dyno tape and the unit number recorded on the ID plate had no relationship unfortunately and since Lotus did not record the body numbers in any systematic way it appears no way to relate the two.

cheers
Rohan

[draenog]

Talking about chassis numbers, I also haven't been able to find any numbers near the engine mounts (either an original number or a replacement LRxxxx). However, I don't know how visible they're supposed to be with the engine in, and body on. I've scraped the gunk off, so I'm fairly sure I would have seen a number if it was there. Of course, an original chassis isn't much of an accolade, as it probably needs replacing! The towers on mine seem to be OK (I've also looked inside using a borescope), but appearance can be deceptive.

[Wattie]

All great information, thanks.
Does anyone have photographs showing exactly where the chassis number is / could be ?
Cheers

[trw99]

Here's a couple from a thread on here a couple of years ago.

Tim

[Wattie]

Ok Gents, using Robs photos I looked closely at the chassis again and again and again. I just about spotted and found a number stamped on the near side just rear of the engine mount. I think it reads LR 611 - success. I may try scrape the paint to check if I'm reading it correct. Were these recorded anywhere do you think ?

[types26/36]

LR = LOTUS REPLACEMENT dont know if those were ever recorded though.

[trw99]

Genuine Lotus Replacement chassis. No records are known to exist.

Tim

[Wattie]

Well, I'm certainly far more knowledgable about the cars history than ever before thanks to everyone here. It's been great to delve into the past and find answers to long lingering questions. Thank you all. Now to decide what next...........

[Wattie]

Oct 26/2020

Well Gents another 6 years have passed and thanks for the previous info on what I’ve got. Now the time has come to do something constructive with What’s been in the garage for over 30 yrs !