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50/2277

PostPosted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 10:52 pm
by tonyb
im trying to find out some history on a recent purchase of Elan+2S
It is a 1969 model sold to an orginal lotus dealer Tollgate Engineering (Rye) Sussex on the 1st Jan1970.
It appears the Lotus went to Sweden in 1977 and remained there having had several owners.

Im trying to fill in the gaps and obtain the uk first registration number. It appears Tollgate is no more.
Any advice welcome in tracking down the first reg number. DVLA are not helpful. they advise that they did not hold computer records in 1970 to 1976 and cannot find a record at this time and told me to find the orginal reg. No paperwork with the uk reg. just have the uk version of hamdbook.

Any thoughts on where to start the search?

many thanks inadvance...

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 11:39 pm
by trw99
Welcome Tony.

I have that +2 as originally being yellow with an F series engine, which was fitted to SE Weber, domestic & export +2 and +2S Elans from Jul 69 onwards. It would have been on an H registration date plate.

You can try Club Lotus to see if any member has had the car registered with them in the past. Also Andy Graham, the Lotus Archivist on [email protected] might have some additional data.

Tim

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 7:13 pm
by Matt Elan
Hi Tony and welcome

I've got 50/2025 and 50/1163. ~ Can't help with the history of yours, but am in Hampshire, in Fleet, where about in the County are you?
regards
Matt

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 7:34 pm
by tonyb
Many thanks Iive in Romsey Hampshire. Boxing Day a number of classic cars are driven to Romsey for a get together. Matt is yours drivable?

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 8:48 pm
by tonyb
Reading lots of stories on here with the grief of trying to obtain a v5.
Just joined club lotus and will ask for their help.
Dvla are not very helpful if you go off script with registration process tried twice and they have sent me away to find
Any ideas how long it takes and do you need mot which is a pass? I'm planning to use on the road but keen to obtain v5 so that I can insure and get plates on the car which should be a H plate for 1970.

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:00 pm
by Matt Elan
Is either of mine drivable? :lol:

Not quite...... this is 50/2025 -

dsc01041-1224-x-918.jpg and


and here's me white one:

dsc00726.jpg and


Regarding getting a v5, if you know what the original registration is then you should be able to recover it. If not then you will need to get an age related plate. A lot hinges on the title which came with the car, which DVLA usually recognise. If you've not got a title from its life abroad, then you'll need a dating certificate, an MoT test as well as whatever 'proof' the DVLA ask for, which will include an inspection by their contractors. It should not be too painful, I've recently registered a couple of MG I bought back from the US; one was simple, one was a bit more complicated......

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 11:17 am
by KevJ+2
tonyb wrote:Any ideas how long it takes and do you need mot which is a pass? I'm planning to use on the road but keen to obtain v5 so that I can insure and get plates on the car which should be a H plate for 1970.


My car was N Ireland registered and I eventually got an age related English plate. I didn't need an mot, the car was declared sorn. What they did want was photographic proof (through Club Lotus) of the vin plate, the total car, and a covering letter of authenticity. It was an absolute PITA but with perseverance, I got there. Lots of correspondence and hair pulling out that I couldn't afford. About three month's from start to finish! (oh, and a fifty pound cheque :roll: )
Kev.

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 12:02 pm
by carrierdave
Good afternoon All,
My car is a 1969 built, registered in May 1970, and sold by Tollgate Engineering in Sussex.
It's chassis number is 50/2024 - so one different from you Matt, an F engine, and originally sprayed White.

I'm not sure if the registration numbers were specific to the area, but my car starts VPM ---H, if this is on any help.

All the best for Christmas
David

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 1:21 pm
by tonyb
Great information. I imagine as my car was a tollgate car it will be similar. Just don't have old papers that indicate reg number.
I'm going to use the v765 route with club lotus. Hopefully it won't take too long.
Regards
Tony

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 1:28 pm
by NedK
Hi
I have 50/2283, completed in Nov 1969.
Just 6 down the line from yours!
Ned

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:11 pm
by tonyb
Many thanks....did yours start at Tollgate Engineering ?
Can I ask if the letters of the reg ? Leave out the numbers if you wish

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:01 pm
by NedK
Hi

Mine is CLP ---H.

It's got an original Len Street of Chelsea sticker in the back window (tatty, so I'm making a new replica one), but the Lotus factory details say it was sold (on 23 Dec 1969) by the London Sports Car Centre in Edgware. It wasn't sold between then and when it stopped being taxed in 1979.

I'm not sure if LSCC and Len Street were related. Anyone know?

Best
Ned

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 11:02 pm
by ColonialRobert
...simply for general interest, I'm the third owner of 50/2279 (close!), sold to a fellow in western Canada by a Canadian dealer in Winnipeg. That first owner ran the car forever, then worked to restored her to about 90%, but died before completion. Owner #2 did some reassembly to about 95%. When I heard that he might consider selling, I grabbed her! In chartreuse, she's fabulous! If I knew how to post a pic..., but I'm a newbey...
Cheers!

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:51 am
by Sea Ranch
Come on, Colonial Robert . . . You can't tell us you have a chartreuse Plus 2 and then not post a pic or two.

If the pix are on your computer, select the "upload attachment" button below the text box when you "reply" to this thread, and then the "Choose file" button. Once you've chosen the file, click the "Add the file" button. Play with it; you'll get it :mrgreen:

Looking forward to the pix . . . btw, are you the Robert who's in the LCCBC?

Randy

Re: 50/2277

PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 2:46 am
by ColonialRobert
Yes Randy, of the LCCBC... Small world.
Obviously you missed May's Van Dusen.
Chartreuse Charlotte won Class 13, Lotus closed.
I will attempt your instructions to post a pic.