Thanks for posting the reply, Jean-Yves - glad that Andy could help you.

Thanks for directing me to him. Now as the chassis was changed 12 months or so after the car was sold - and with a mileage of max 3.000 miles, I suspect it has been done by the original Lotus dealership - Dick Lovett - that took care of the car until 2003. It was originally sold to a Mr Houghton of Cheltenham. Do anyone has a good contact at Lovett's to recommend, as I'd like to take my chances to ask them if they have some info.

I know Ed Lovett, send me a PM with your questions and I'll ask him.

Excellent... I always find help and councelling on this forum, keep it up boys

Hi just looked at a s1 elise which also has a Lr vin number in the rear wheel arch the owner has contacted lotus for more info as he didnt know my question is will it devalue the car and what views you have on byeing a car like this

I guess it depends what was the reason on changing the chassis. Is it correct to suppose some were changed under warranty for corrosion problem ? I think I've read somewhere that if the car needed a new chassis following an accident, there's some info through Hpi ? I think also that a limited number of official dealers could get a replacement chassis and carry the rebuilding.

i did a Hpi check and it came back clear only thing that showed up was plate change to private plate still waiting to hear from lotus why it was changed and when

Apparently the only info that Lotus can have is the date the chassis was sold...

Lotus have replyed they confirm they suppled the chassie to a dealer storm in 2000 thats the only records they keep