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1971 Lotus . Vin numbers / model numbers ?

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beaulieu

beaulieu

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Hi

got a call the other day of a 1971 Lotus ?

Lotus what you ask ?

No idea, the title says 1971 and something about 34 ,

so when I call him back for the chassis number can you tell me

Vin numbers
1971 Elan
1971 Europa
was any other model available in 1971 ?

I know not much info but thats all I have

Beaulieu
 
The Lotus 7 Series 4 was available then.

I don't know what the "34" would have referred to.

The Elan roadsters around then were type 45's and coupes were type 36's. Europas were type 54 - could your "54" be a "34"?

Elan serial numbers at that time started with a 2 digit year number, followed by a 2 digit month number. I don't know about the serial number schemes for the others.
 
Lotus Type 34 is the 1964 Indianapolis race car. Only 3 were made

Are you sure it is not S4? It could have been a typo. Which would be an Elan S4 (Series 4)
This car is the Type 45 and the vin should read 45/XXXX
 
The guy did not have the title in front of him so I do not know....

is there a list of 1971 Lotus Vin codes on line anywhere,

the guy is a Chevy guy so really does not know anything except whats on the pink ,

Thanks for your help

Beaulieu
 
beaulieu said:
is there a list of 1971 Lotus Vin codes on line anywhere,
Click to expand...

Not that I know of

It's either an Elan, a Europa or a Seven as those were the only cars available in 71.

If it is a seven, it is likely the ugly (IMO) and unpopular Series 4 version and not worth much
 
Steve , its always good to know I have friends to help me out if I need it.....

Beaulieu
 
beaulieu said:
Steve , its always good to know I have friends to help me out if I need it.....

Beaulieu
Click to expand...

I got your back, buddy! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

Seriously though, is this something that you might have a shot at getting your hands on?
 
its in SoCal , I will call tomarrow and see if I can get the VIN

yes its for sale , just need to see if its worth chasing.....

Beaulieu

ps

how about a sample 71 Elan VIN
and a 71 Europa Vin

how many numbers total ?
 
+2 was a 50/xxxx number, also in production in '71 BTW. A Lotus 34 would be a "find" methinks. Not likely to be true.

Keep us up on what ya learn!


~pro'lly a 26R~ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
DrEntropy said:
+2 was a 50/xxxx number,...
Click to expand...

I thought they changed the serial number format about 1970 and no longer used the model number up front.


DrEntropy said:
~pro'lly a 26R~ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
Click to expand...


Yeah, they're so common. Except around here it's hard to find one without a plow on it.
 
well all he could tell me is that iit says 034 on the texas title and that its a 2 door that looks like an opel GT except that its a hatchback !

Ummmm

I am more confused than before /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

Beaulieu
 
Sounds like an Elan +2
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The only hatchback that made it to the States was the Elite, which was not made until 1974
Lotus_elite.jpg
 
I must have gone through a time warp then. I started working at Joe Vittone's Econo Auto Center in Riverside in early 73. I test drove the elite several times around the back roads between Riverside and Corona. Had a large Eucalyptus branch break off a tree as I was driving along a back road, missed the car by just a couple of inches.

So, maybe they were importing the 74 in EARLY 73, like in March????
 
According to my Lotus book, the Elite was built from 74-80 and the launch was actually delayed from March 74 until May of 74 because of a miner strike.

Perhaps it was something else you drove. You didn't go to a couple of Grateful Dead concerts that year did you? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
 
It was definitely the Elite. It was one that Joe himself had presold to his back doctor. As Joe was kinda high up on the dealer list(at that time) maybe it was one of the first prelims.
 
coldplugs said:
I thought they changed the serial number format about 1970 and no longer used the model number up front.
Click to expand...

You're right! IIRC it was in 71 that started.
 
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