Need help filling in a VIN

[steveh]

Just to mention , MAE 120F is not an S model but +2 chassis 24 , it had a new front panel fitted by Sports Motors circa 69/70 for some reason with fog light apertures .

[Elanintheforest]

Or had them added in later Steve to 'update' the car. Bumpy the BD car had them put in to look smarter in 1971!

[Bud English]

My +2S (fed) has the windshield mounted VIN tag, stamped simply 0053N, imported under that VIN, and registered as a 1970. 0053N is also stamped on the frame and doesn't match the embedded body shell number. It's 0053 that is engraved (light pods and boot lid) and in crayon on the inside of the roof, doors, glove box and hood, not the embedded body shell number. From that I take it that the VIN number was assigned to this car before or as it was being built, not after.

I'm not sure if anyone can, without a doubt, state that Lotus did anything in one manner and not another during the late 60's and early 70's. Even the official records are shaky at best.

[rwiii]

When I started this thread I also sent a note to Lotus asking for any info. They responded with the information on ordering the build sheet that has all the data on it for 44 GBP or $58 in hard currency.
They were nice enough to tell me that the car was built in December of '69.
I assume it was built for '70 but probably doesn't matter as there wasn't much of a difference in the models as those changes came with the +2S in '70.
As I've noted before, if I'm mistaken please straighten me out.
Thanks to all.