Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Doors, engines, etc can be changed so not necessarily a good clue. Similarly the chassis number as LR simple refers to Lotus Replacement. Also the VIN plate does not look period, these are readily available new on Ebay and the stamping does not look correct. I suggest that someone has fitted a replacement chassis, possibly in Sweden and used the new chassis number to get it registered and stamped a new VIN plate accordingly.

As others have suggested the dyno tape number is the big clue and suggests the number should be 2711. If you register with Elan Registry you can check all similar chassis numbers close to 2711. I am sure there are experts on here that can point you in the right area wrt to the correct numbers as they do seem a bit bewildering. But maybe to get a close VIN number you will have to look at some similar numbers on Elan Registry and add 2711 to give you something that looks right, such as 710502711. 71 being the year, 050 being the type number and 2711 being the identification number

Incidentally you may find 2711 under the headlining. You may not want to remove the headlining of course!

Geve wrote:

Glove box.jpg

Oh, have just added photo of number behind glove box

50B920 is the part number for the tunnel top.
Brian.

Geve ,

I see from the sept 2020 auction details it states there is an old MOT and the "original registration documents " https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/304 ... 50979&sd=1


these documents are not mentioned in the second auction,
i suggest you contact H &H auctions and ask for a copy which they should have,

Edit-- https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/304 ... 50979&sd=1

Thanks everyone

Yes, i did take the headling down, but no numbers ?

I have called H and H auctions, but they told me the car was never physically with them, they sent someone to photograph it. When i looked, i did not see the picture of the documents, which proves the buyer at the time did have them. The buyer is the one I bought the car from. I have been in touch with him through the auction and he has never indicated he has any paperwork. I will now go back to him and ask again. Begs the question what reason to withhold them ?
There is a registration number of CUR 812 ?
Maybe worth checking with DVLA
Andy from Lotus told me i should be looking for a VIN number with 4 numbers and a letter ? But, if it is a 1971 car then surely it should be the 70000000 format.

Please, I have written an article on Lotus VIN and other numbers which is attached to my first response to this post.

There is a lot of guessing and speculation as well as misinformation confusing this issue on this car. It is all explained in the article.

I have reached out to the owner Grant and have offered to assist him privately.

Tim

As Tim says, the article clearly shows what format the VIN should be for a specific car and year. Best of luck dealing with DVLA, not the most helpful bunch of people in the country, We had the same issue with a car imported from South Africa. Never again!.

Tim, I've read your note and offer some information relating to 1972 +2 130's. Attached is a picture of my original VIN plate, plus pictures of the numbers marked on the roof and transmission tunnel, which all relate to the dyno marking in the engine bay and to the VIN plate.







I have no idea when Lotus started using this but it’s all very logical.

Dave

Update.
Checking date of manufacture for my car, it left Lotus in July 72. It could have been manufactured in May 05, so could that could be the 05 in the VIN and not type no.

Dave

I may be wrong but I've not read the following advice yet.
ie
Do Not ! ,
Never , Ever !
Inform, the DVLA that you have changed your chassis !

Possibly ' one of ' the reasons why you have been offered a Q plate ?

Hi i still have the paperwork for a 1972 +2 It is sorned.I had 2 made 1only
Paperwork available if you are interested