Chassis number

["Louis Verdonck"]

Hello Lotus lovers,
I am new to this list and introduce myself as Louis from Belgium, 36 years young with wife and two kids. '73 Morgan 4/4 4 seater and Jaguar 1960 MKII 3.8 driver. Want to buy a Lotus Elan +2S 130/5 to join the stable. Located a Lotus with chassis number R50512M, any help regarding year, the owner said original LHD?, what other numbers to check? help/suggestions are highly appreciated.
happy Lotussing,
Louis form Belgium

[sprinterdave]

In message <[email protected]>, Louis Verdonck
<[email protected]> writes






am aware. The car it came off couldbe of a different vintage to the
replacement chassis. The chassis number usually gives the model(type)
and the year of manufacture.
The number R50512M Refers to type 50 (plus 2) 5 (5 speed gearbox) 12
Possibly batch M ??
The normal chassis number could be 7001.01.0001 relating to 1970
January batch 1 chassis 0001
Dave Shiers

--
David Shiers

[paul_adamson]

Please respond to lotuselan <[email protected]> @ SMTP

To: lotuselan <[email protected]> @ SMTP
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Subject: Re: [lotuselan] Chassis number

Classification: Restricted
From: David Shiers <[email protected]>

In message <[email protected]>, Louis Verdonck
<[email protected]> writes




The chassis number you quote is not an original number. It is a number
of replacement chassis. There is no way of telling the age as far as I
am aware. The car it came off couldbe of a different vintage to the
replacement chassis. The chassis number usually gives the model(type)
and the year of manufacture.

The number R50512M Refers to type 50 (plus 2) 5 (5 speed gearbox) 12
Possibly batch M ??

The normal chassis number could be 7001.01.0001 relating to 1970
January batch 1 chassis 0001
Dave Shiers
---------

This suggests that it is original....
More information can be gained by the state of the chassi... if it is galvanised it is a Lotus replcament it will have LRxxxx stamped on it.
A Spyder replacement. will have SPYxxxx welded to the front cross member.

If the car has been driven and the chassis is original it is likely that whatever the visable rust condition (check the front suspension uprights)it is likely to be
starting to show stress cracks and will need replacement. to find these you have to pull the rear diff.
This needs to be factored into the buying price.

Chassis originality is not that key an issue in a Lotus Elan they have to be changed, hoever some stor is held by their replacement with a Lotus sourced Chassi

The year is indicated by the VIM plate located inthe engine bay. For the age of car it should be located on the exhaust side inner wheel arch. Earlier cars it
was located at the top the pedal box.
Apparently there could be an export identification plate on one of the door openings - but this may apply to two seater Elans only. - Any comments from the rest of the list.

The VIM number should be of the form...

aa.xx.yy.bbbbz

aa-Year
xx - Month of Production
yy - Batch Number
bbbb-four digit serial no
z - Car Type Identity:
A - S4 FHC UK Market
B - S4 FHC Export
C - S4 DHC UK Market
D - S4 DHC Export
E - S4 SE FHC UK Market
F - S4 SE FHC Export
G - S4 SE DHC UK Market
H - S4 SE DHC Export
J - S4 FHC Federal (USA)
K - S4 DHC Federal (USA)
L - +2S & +2S/130 UK Market
M - +2S & +2S/130 Export
N - +2S & +2S/130 Federal (USA)

The 2s 130/5 was introduced in October 72 - Officially. However there are a number of 5 speed cars that were upgraded from 4 speed cars by dealers and drivers.
These tended to be the 130/4. I am aware that the 5 speed option seems to be promised and sold from the end of 70/early 71 and these upgrades were officially
scanctioned by Lotus. You need to check that the rear wing has the 130/5 badge.
There were a number of 130/4 cars that developed gear box and drive spline problems (the propshaft can bottom out) that were upgraded as a way of keeping the
customer sweet after their car had recked it's transmission. These don't seem to carry the 130/5 badge on the rear flank.
Also the gar shift gater on these cars wasn't often changed - the four speed gear change has a smaller gater than the 5 speed - the 5 speed one goes almost to the top of the gear change lever.

Befor buying check for body damage etc..

I recomend that you purchase a copy of Robinshaw and Ross... Authentic Elan and Plus 2 .. a very good read.

Hope this helps

Brian
---------------------o0o------------------
Brian Scally - Philips Semiconductors Systems Lab. Southampton UK
tel : +44 2380 312654 fax : +44 2380 316303
mailto:[email protected] seri : bscally@ukpsshp1