Interesting tattoo on the bonnet skin

[LotusEngineeringBuff]

As I was sanding the bonnet of my Plus 2 a couple of hours ago, I discovered a puzzling tattoo embedded in the bonnet skin. See attachment below.
Has anyone discovered the same kind of marking? Is this usual?
I made already some progress elsewhere ( surroundings of the bonnet, front wings) but no other marking so far

cheer
François

[trw99]

M20 was the Lotus development number for the +2, when it was being designed and tooled up.

Perhaps the 1 1/2 refers to a lay-up of fiberglass for the bonnet, obviously the word at the bottom of your tattoo.

Depending on the age and Unit No of your car, the bonnet could be original to it. Or it could be a pre-production bonnet that later found its way onto your car whilst it was being built.

I am aware of two prototype M20 cars, one of which was the Metier, as well as one pre-production car, white and registered KPW 176D.

Tim

[LotusEngineeringBuff]

The 2nd possibility is more likely. My car being a late Plus 2 130S from 73 06
The full number is 7306 1457L
Thank you for the info

[snowyelan]

Bonnet being plural, bonnets, is interesting.
Can you tell if it is embedded below the gelcoat or is it marker that has stained the gelcoat?

[Quart Meg Miles]

Bonnet being plural ....

Really? Not in my French or English dictionaries.

[SENC]

Bonnet being plural ....

Really? Not in my French or English dictionaries.

Looks like plural bonnets to my eye, too.

[hastu]

in found this signs on the inner Roof Top.. Including colors

[Andy8421]

Can you tell if it is embedded below the gelcoat or is it marker that has stained the gelcoat?

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, unless the original writer could write in ‘mirror writing’ it must have been written on top of the gel coat, after the panel was released from the mold.

[snowyelan]

I was asking because it crossed my mind that the batch of bonnets (being plural) were made too weak and the note was for an additional F/G reinforcement layer, with 1 1/2 being the extra weight. Thinking about it more I suppose that the reinforcement layer would have been simpler to add on the inside, so the text wouldn't have been under an added layer.

[LotusEngineeringBuff]

Can you tell if it is embedded below the gelcoat or is it marker that has stained the gelcoat?

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, unless the original writer could write in ‘mirror writing’ it must have been written on top of the gel coat, after the panel was released from the mold.

Well, as far as I can tell, the writing is under the gelcoat. It must have been written in mirror by a smart fellow

[LotusEngineeringBuff]

I have even more "secret codes" on the body. If I look more carefully I will probably discover a secret map indicating a burried treasure