Q plates

[Mick6186]

I'm not sure about older elans but my 1973 130/5 definitely had 'matching numbers'
The VIN ends in 1127L.
The Unit number on the body plate ends in 1127L
The original frame number which I cut out of the rotten frame is 1127L
On various places on the body such as the back of the headlamp pods and the doors there is the number 1127 hand drawn.
My engine number is not original because at some stage in the past the engine bottom end was damaged and replaced in 1992 with a tall block conversion. I should imagine a large number of surviving Elans have at some stage had a block replacement due to owners thrashing the b******s off of them.
Mick

[trw99]

Mick, the Unit No is THE defining identify number for each and every Elan.

You have merely listed several places where you have found that number, which indicates that your car is good and original, apart clearly from the engine. By 1973 Lotus were getting better at number annotation, compared to the 1960s. Early Elans had Type, Unit, Chassis, Body and Engine numbers, not forgetting Registration and Invoice numbers!

But we divert from the original fascinating and important subject, our eyes peeled for the next exciting revelation!

Tim

[Mick6186]

Tim,
Thanks for clearing the numbers situation up. You're correct that my car is original apart from the engine, although I should imagine that most classic cars have had substantial engine parts replaced at some time if they have been used as they were designed to be. I seem to remember that in the 60's and 70's there were numerous small engineering companies that provided a rebuilt engine exchange service for not a lot of money!!
Mick