Chassis stamp "3" flat or curved top

[stelz]

Friends,

I'm finally get back on with my resto and have an identity crisis with my frame. the stamp numbers have corroded and some are not legible. What I can make out are the following:

X6/579X

I think it is probably 36/5798 or 36/5799, but wanted to check if the first numeral is a 2 or a 3 as I think the sequence number is right on the verge of the change in series between 26 and 36.

Can someone let me know if the "3" punch had a flat top or rounded top ?

By Flat I mean :

If standard punch is flat on the top, then I am fairly sure it will be 36/579X, otherwise I'll need some assistance from those who are sure about the chassis sequence numbers.

Thanks,
Ben

[gearbox]

The stamped numbers on my frame has the flat top "3" here is a pic of the numbers. Tried posting a high res pic. Hope this helps Allan

[gearbox]

That didn't work too well. I photo shopped the numbers to make it clearer, hope it works this time. But aren't these numbers identical to the data plate and car's vin? Good Luck, hope this sheds some light, Allan

[types26/36]

Friends,
I think the sequence number is right on the verge of the change in series between 26 and 36.
Ben

A ?26? is a Roadster (Series 1 & 2) and they have a different body to Types 36 & 45 which are Series 3 & 4.
A ?36? is the fixed roof version of the Series 3 or 4 while a ?45? is the drop head version.
What type of body does the car have? it should be easy to define if it is a series 1/2 or a series 3/4 body.

[stelz]

Thanks for the help. I am having a bit of trouble identifying if the frame is original or replacement. It could be either a 26 or 36 - still not sure.

The body is a DHC and either S1 or S2. Badges with the car suggest S1 (1600), but it has full dash (S2) and round tail lights. The body has number 3388 (very clear) on it so I am hoping this can be used to assist in getting an ID.

The VIN plate appears to have been misplaced which is the reason for my intent searching - no idea of unit number !!!

So the things I am sure about is the body number 3388 and frame being 579X.

Next stop might be the various registers that are floating around. If anyone has records they can look up that would be great.

[garyeanderson]

Thanks for the help. I am having a bit of trouble identifying if the frame is original or replacement. It could be either a 26 or 36 - still not sure.

The body is a DHC and either S1 or S2. Badges with the car suggest S1 (1600), but it has full dash (S2) and round tail lights. The body has number 3388 (very clear) on it so I am hoping this can be used to assist in getting an ID.

The VIN plate appears to have been misplaced which is the reason for my intent searching - no idea of unit number !!!

So the things I am sure about is the body number 3388 and frame being 579X.

Next stop might be the various registers that are floating around. If anyone has records they can look up that would be great.

Hi Ben

The chassis number you give 36/579x suggests an Elan Coupe. if the first digit were a 2 and not a 3 then I would start to look closer at the digit right after the /, that 5 if it were a three would tie together better with the Elan 1600 emblems. DHC is a type 45, Roadster are type 26, they are not the same and the terminology means something different to different folks so call the Elan what you think it is but you are trying to determine what it is so please try to be consistent with how you refer to it.
I believe that you have had this issue for quite some time as I remember reading of it some years back on yahoo groups. That body number is probably the key to the identity but I don't know of anyone that has a complete listing (including Andy Graham) but I would contact his as he may have received more info since I emailed him last.

Can you get a decent photo of the chassis stamping? that may help us to see what you are? Also sandblasting that area around the chassis stamp may reveal what the number is.

Gary

Lotus Historian - Andy Graham
business-listings-f3/lotus-historian-andy-graham-t25734.html

[stelz]

Thanks Gary,
Yes, I have investigated when I bought the vehicle to no avail.
Photo of the frame stamp and body number attached.

With the 3 stamp confirmed as a flat top, then frame number is probably 36/579X. The "/57" are clear.

Body number is unquestionably 3388 and is a roadster.

So, it seems the body is S2 roadster and has probably had a chassis from another unit. Robinshaw / Ross say that the last S2 frame was 26/5810 while the 36 started at 36/4510 so there was a cross over. Could it be that my unit was a mix-up and came out of the factory as a S2 with a 36 frame ? Based on Gary A's fried Chris's S2 found here elan-f14/elan-field-find-looks-like-good-candidate-t18126.html whose body no of 3663 and frame 26/4142 it is more probable I have a replacement frame.

I'll give Andy an email and see if his records are any help.
Thanks,
Ben

[billwill]

Surely both the 26 and the 36 were made together for several years.

The 26 is the open roadster, the 36 is the coupe (fixed hard top).

[garyeanderson]

http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/lotus/ ... 0263ss.htm

Here is a potential chassis donor, I don't know how long you have owned it but it is probably in the wrong country.

26/5798 is the "last S2 SE" according to the Ross and Robinshaw book' and probably has a "flat floor"

Also 36/5781, 36/5783, 36/5784, 36/5785, were all Coupes. The others in that range are unknown as to the type as they have not shown up on the internet or been seen by personal observation.



Ben, do you have an engine number to cross reference with? that may tell you what part went with what.

This would make a great topic of "What is a bitsa" and what are legitimate chassis changes that result in this type of confusion.

Major ID'ed Elan parts are the chassis (sub frame), body and all of the numbers parts like doors and head lamp pods, engine and the chassis tag where much of this info was scribed for ease of identity.

Gary