How to decode a Lotus Elan VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Lotus Elan VIN
A WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the Lotus Elan, the WMI is SCC, indicating that the car was produced by Lotus Cars Ltd., a prestigious manufacturer known for its commitment to lightweight and agile sports cars. The Elan, with its distinct WMI, comes from Lotus’s facility located in the United Kingdom, specifically in the area of Norfolk. This prefix is not only a mark of the car’s origin but also sets the stage for the VIN to reveal more specific details about the model, such as its specifications and production sequence, which can be gleaned from the remaining characters of the VIN.
List of WMI Codes for a Lotus Elan
WMI: SCC
- Model Years Covered: 1991
- Example VIN: SCCGA36B0MHF27468
- Manufacturer Name: Lotus Cars Ltd
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Gaydon
- State or Province: Norfolk
- Country: United Kingdom
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Lotus Elan VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Lotus Elan:
| Known VDS for a Lotus Elan |
|---|
| GA36B |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Lotus Elan VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Lotus Elan VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 Lotus Elan |
11th Character in the Lotus Elan VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Lotus Elan Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Hethel | United Kingdom | SCCGA36B0MHF27468 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Lotus Elan
The final 6 characters in a Lotus Elan’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Lotus Elan’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Lotus Elan is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of the Lotus Elan, typically near where the dashboard meets the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door to examine the door jamb area; you’ll likely find the VIN on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Check the Lotus Elan’s engine block, where the VIN may be stamped directly on the engine itself.
- Inspect the Lotus Elan’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, as the VIN is usually listed there.
- If your Lotus Elan has a rear-wheel well, peer inside; sometimes, the VIN can be found behind the wheel on the chassis.
- Look under the Lotus Elan’s front bonnet/hood, where the VIN could be on a plate or a sticker near the front area.
- On the Lotus Elan’s frame between the carburetor or throttle body, you may locate the VIN in this less common spot.
What info can a Lotus Elan VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class and number of doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Manufacturing Plant: The VIN provides information about where the vehicle was manufactured, such as the city and country, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN can provide details about the engine, such as the number of cylinders, displacement, and fuel type, giving you a better understanding of the vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency.
- Manufacturer: The VIN identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, giving you insight into its brand and reputation.
Don’t have your Lotus Elan’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Lotus Elan
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Roadster |
| Displacement (CC) | 1588 |
| Displacement (CI) | 96.905705622 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.588000 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 162 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Isuzu |
| Engine Model | 4XE1-TM |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Elan |
| Model Year | 1991 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Inflatable with Active belts |
| Plant City | Hethel |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United Kingdom |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 1 - Series |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | SCCGA36B*MH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | SCCGA36B0MHF27468 |
Decode a Lotus VIN
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