Engine Number.

[vincereynard]

I have been looking at a car with the engine no F/23431.

Although this seems a genuine number (?) it appears to be hand engraved on the Vin Plate.

Can I link this number to a unit number? Sure I've seen lists of engine numbers somewhere.

Car is 1970 +2S.

Cheers
Vince

[Gordon Sauer]

Engine numbers were scribed. Gordon Sauer

[rgh0]

I have seen numbers on the car unit plate attached to the body that appear to be originally either stamped, etched with a vibrating etching tool or scratched with a blunt nail. It appears Lotus did various things at various times

cheers
Rohan

[vincereynard]

Cheers for the replies.

This one was definitely more the "blunt nail" end of elegantly done.

[trw99]

Vince

This engine number would have been fitted to a late 1970 +2S. The Prefix letter indicates a SE Weber, domestic & export engine.

Tim

[vincereynard]

As it happens images of the engine seem to indicate it has been painted in green hammerite!

Not a confidence inspirer.

[KevJ+2]

Vince,
My original plate is engraved (nicely ) with the build number but it has no engine number engraved, so it is possible for some cars to have a replacement engine fitted and have the new number added to the plate (maybe by a blunt nail).
Just a thought.
Kev.