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Unfortunately, deciphering Lotus serial numbers<\/a><\/strong> takes a bit of detective work.\u00a0 Many bicycle builders<\/a><\/span> code the date of manufacture into the serial number of the frame. However, Lotus serial numbers seem to be proprietary and all of the codes have yet to be decoded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Interestingly, Your serial number<\/a><\/span> may be close to a bike that has already been dated.\u00a0 Additionally, the two-letter prefix found on many serial numbers does seem to For example, we believe the prefix KY represents 1980 production for at least the Legend and the Classique.<\/p>\n As luck would have it, most Tsunoda-built Lotus serial numbers<\/a><\/span> are stamped onto the underside of the bottom bracket.\u00a0 As well as, consisting of two letters followed by five, six, or seven numbers (AB12345++).<\/p>\n However, It seems that later model bikes have more numbers than the earlier bikes.\u00a0 Important to note, this may be a clue to dating a vintage Lotus. However, some bicycles have been observed with serial numbers stamped on the seat tube near the bottom bracket<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n If you have a Pacific Cycles built Lotus, your serial number will begin with a P.\u00a0 These include, The Elite, Elan, Special, Sprint or Prestige.\u00a0 This is shown in the chart below on the Lotus Elite. P stands for Pacific Cycles<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n In this case, the second number represents the year of construction. Likewise, the third and fourth number represent the production week.\u00a0 \u00a0Accordingly, the final numbers are the individual frame numbers. So, number P3151234 marks the 1234th frame constructed during the 15th week of 1983.<\/p>\n Some Lotus bicycles built in 1986-88 use a Y6C1234 style code.\u00a0 Specifically, the first letter is possibly a vendor code.<\/p>\n Moreover, the second number is the model year, and the third letter is probably a fortnight code.\u00a0 For example, C represents the 3rd fortnight of 1986 production<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Many different factories built Lotus bicycles to Lotus specifications. Therefore, it\u2019s important to note that these factories followed Lotus’s precise requirements. As a result, when you view the chart, specific numbering styles are starting to appear. Over time, this could indicate differences in production origins.<\/p>\n DIFFERENT NUMBERING STYLES\u00a0 FOR DIFFERENT\u00a0 FACTORIES<\/span><\/p>\n Each different numbering style likely represents a different factory. For example, we know that Lotus worked with several manufacturers.\u00a0 This includes, Tsunoda, Pacific Cycles, and Maruishi to name a few.\u00a0 Thus, you can see this reflected in Lotus serial numbers. As more data emerges, the connection between serial numbers and factories becomes clearer.<\/p>\nLOTUS SERIAL NUMBERS WITH 2 LETTER PREFIX<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\nrepresent model years.\u00a0 Or at the very least, production runs.<\/p>\nTSUNODA BUILT LOTUS BICYCLES<\/span><\/h2>\n
PACIFIC CYCLES BUILT LOTUS BIKES<\/span><\/h2>\n
LOTUS BIKES BUILT BETWEEN 1986-88<\/span><\/h2>\n
MANUFACTURED TO LOTUS’S SPECIFICATIONS<\/span><\/h2>\n
SERIAL\u00a0 NUMBER GUIDE<\/span><\/h2>\n
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