This shouldn't be so confusing, if we can all agree on MY
definitions of frame/chassis/body:
Frame refers to the structural steel tubing.
Body is all the sheetmetal, which forms the outside shape of
vehicle.
Chassis is the structure, to which all of the other parts are
attached, i.e. body, suspension, engine, drivetrain, etc.
In the case of a Lotus Seven, the frame, with the body attached,
would be manufactured and delivered to Lotus Engineering as one
unit.
Since there is no separate body, this unit, frame with body panels
attached, would be a chassis.
Since the number would, most likely, have been attached to the frame
when the frame was being built, this number would be a "frame number",
but since this number would be used for recordkeeping, until the
unit was delivered to Lotus, it would also be a "chassis number".
Lotus Engineering would then assemble the vehicle, and would attach
a manufacturer's plate, with the manufacturer's number, for
registration and tax purposes. The number on this plate would not be
the same as the frame/chassis number.
In the US, this number is referred as the VIN (Vehicle Identification
Number).
Someone added "US64" in front of "SB1825" on my identification plate,
so my complete VIN, as registered, is "US64SB1825".
-- Flemming Larsen, SB1825/B1644
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-chapman-era@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-chapman-era@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of DWhitesdJr@aol.com
> Sent: Friday, August 04, 2000 06:18
> To: rodbean@earthlink.net; geckopsych@mindspring.com
> Cc: chapman-era@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Early Seven Frame Number Detail
>
>
> In a message dated 8/4/00 7:33:52 AM Central Daylight Time,
> rodbean@earthlink.net writes:
>
> << Wait a minute here. A chassis and a frame are generally
> considered the
> same
> thing. A *rolling* chassis is the chassis (frame) with everything there
> except the drivetrain (the engine and transmission). It the
> case of Sevens,
> there is no separate body (unless you want to consider the hood
> (bonnet) and
> fenders (wings) the sum total of the "body") so I'd say the
> body, chassis and
> frame are all the same thing.
>
> You're talking about a stamped frame number (put on there when
> it was a bare
> chassis... or frame) conflicting (or not) with a chassis *plate* number
> perhaps referring to the whole car. Very confusing.
> >>
>
> It is not really that confusing if you consider what was
> happening at Lotus
> from 1957-1965. The company was wildly successful, but has no way of
> building cars in-house to meet the demand for Sevens, sports-racers and
> formula cars. They contracted with outside suppliers to deliver various
> components, including engines and frames. A frame maker like Arch Motors
> would make a batch of frames, add their serial numbers for control and
> accounting purposes and deliver the frames to Lotus. There are many
> contemporary shots of the Lotus factory with frames stacked everywhere.
> Lotus would, as time and demand dictated, add the engine, suspension and
> other components to make a complete car. At that point they would
> add their
> own chassis plate, which had no relationship to the frame makers'
> numbering
> system. Unlike the frame number which was either stamped into
> the frame or
> welded on, the Lotus chassis plate was riveted to the car,
> meaning it became
> an easily removable souvenir.
>
> Sometimes Lotus kept good records and if the build sheets for a series
> survive, a car without a chassis plate can be identified by the
> frame number
> given by the company who made the frame.
>
> Probably 75% of the race cars do not have original chassis
> plates, but can be
> identified through the frame number. For road cars, including
> the Seven, if
> there is no chassis plate I would be asking a lot of questions before I
> bought a "Lotus" Seven. It might be a Caterham or a backyard knockoff.
>
> David Whiteside
> Owner of Loti with and without chassis plates
>
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