VIN number, how to find.

[berni29]

Hi There

For my 1968 Lotus Elan +2 reg number DMB 258F (which is in bits for many many years), I have misplaced both my old V5 and the body plate. I did want to apply for a new V5 but will need the VIN number. Is there any way I can find out the information I need?

Many thanks

Berni

[billwill]

It should be on a LOTUS plate in the engine compartment.

The plate specifying obsolete oils etc,etc.

[pharriso]

I have misplaced both my old V5 and the body plate.

[StressCraxx]

Look at the top flange of the chassis, just below the engine thermostat housing, above the motor mount. The VIN should be stamped on the chassis. You may have to wipe away the grime to see it.

[Gordon Sauer]

If it’s still in a lot of bits, on the inside of the doors, inside the headlight pods, and on the roof under the headliner, usually seen also, Gordon

[trw99]

Is your engine original to the car?

If so, get the engine No from the intake side engine mount boss and I can track it back from there, hopefully.

Tim

[Spyder fan]

It’s on the DVLA database under its reg number.

[Billelan]

I was in a very similar position with my S4. I would enlist the help of Alan Morgan of Club Lotus. This is a service you will need to pay for but certainly worth it in the long run. Certainly do not contact DVLA until you have spoken to Alan.
If the chassis is original then the number will be stamped on the top flange near the exhaust mounting. If not, I would start by looking for the engine number and see if this can matched up to a chassis number held on record.

[elanfan1]

IF the car is registered at the DVLA at your address then it’s a case of just applying for a duplicate V5. If it’s not you should just be able to do a change of keeper.

If the chassis is original the no. will be there (as above) also Tim will get you the no. if the engine is original.

[berni29]

Hi Guys

Thank you for all the suggestions.

The chassis I threw a long time ago. It was so badly cracked and rusty it scared the bejeezus out of me.

The body identification plate was removed from the body and placed inside the folded V5, and is secreted lord knows where.

The body itself along with all the panels have been painted inside so the body number is no longer visible.

The car is registered to me at my home address so no problem there.

If I did a change of keeper would someone still not need the VIN somewhere along the line?

I will not be contacting the DVLA for help! That is akin to inviting the vampire in for a good meal.

Original engine is long gone. I almost cannot remember what happened to it.

Looks like I will contact Alan Morgan of Club Lotus after another search in the house/garage/sheds/boxes of parts.

Many thanks again!

Berni

[Billelan]

I don’t know about +2 but I found my S4 chassis (VIN) number hand written on the top of the glovebox.

[ericbushby]

Hi All,
I understood that the number found on the bulkhead and inside of the doors, roof etc. is the body number and this bears no direct relationship to the unit number which is engraved on the `VIN` plate and chassis.
Certainly mine differs by about 600.
If I use my body number as a VIN No. and look it up on Elan Registry that car is in Canada and been owned and stored for nearly 40 years.
I have the full list of owners from build date and there are no gaps where it could have been exported.
Be careful that you do not use the wrong number. If that number relates to a different car the DVLA will throw a fit.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[Bud English]

The only place that the "body" number appears on my car is where it's molded into the body in the upper right corner of the firewall. All of the chalk, marker, pencil and engraved numbers on the roof, light pods, glove box, etc are the chassis number. Of course that's only a record of one out of one. Your car may differ. It's a Lotus.

[billwill]

The number on the chassis is not necessarily the VIN number.

Mine wasn't the same.

As far as I know the VIN on the plate is the "MASTER" identification of the car. So do your utmost to find it.

[GLB]

On my federal 1970 *2S the last four numbers of the VIN were engraved on the inside of the doors with about a 1/8 diameter ball burr or so it appears, crayoned on the inside of the roof with some other notes and written on the back of the glove box and signed by Paul. Gary