Paint Code Location?

[niall]

Greetings, and apologies for asking what may be a silly question.
Where can I find the paint code on my 91 Pacific Blue SE? It does not appear to be on the under-bonnet VIN plate.
The wiki tells that Lotus changed from ICI to Du Pont during 1991, so my paint might be either. That is why I need the code.
Thanks to whoever posts the right answer first.
Best wishes,
Niall

[Specky]

If you can't find any paperwork contact Lotus archives….

and for a nominal fee they will give you a certificate of provenance which has your paint code on among other things…

TTFN

[niall]

Many thanks for that suggestion. Does that mean the code is not to be found elsewhere?

[theelanman]

from the Wiki

the paint colour code for your Elan can be found on the VIN plate located in the engine bay, although it seems that not all cars have the colour code present.

‘A’ prefix paint codes are used for cars finished in ICI 2K two pack acrylic polyurethane paint introduced around 1977.
‘B’ codes indicate DuPont basecoat/clear acrylic enamel paint introduced during 1991, with water based paints being phased in during 1997.

The paint code number is often stamped in the lower left corner of the vehicle identification plate fixed to the wheelarch in the front engine compartment, if your car does not have this code present, Lotus Customer Service (01953 6080000) will be able to tell you the colour code if you quote your VIN in full.

[niall]

Thanks for that pointer.
I had looked in the wiki but considered the possibility that it might be incomplete.Sorry for that.
Actually, I seem to have a sticky plastic label under the bonnet on the flat surface near the bonnet catch mechanism which seems to have all the usual VIN info but no paint code. Is there also a metal vin plate? If so, it is deeper than I have, in this inclement weather, been prepared to look.
There is also a second placcy label above the VIN one with the engine number and a code which at first I thought was a paint code A082U7394 but that doesn't match even the part numbers for paint of my colour.
I guess I shall be speaking to Lotus tomorrow. Alternatively, someone will point me to the wiki section which explains what those labels and that number signify, and will berate me for an idle so and so for not looking (harder) in the wiki.

[GeoffSmith]

The paint code and trim code are on the LHS under the VIN barcode.

A082U7394 is the Lotus catalogue number for an Esprit engine number label.

[niall]

Thanks. That does raise an interesting question. Is mine unique in having such a label and is it a substitute for the vin plate (which I have yet to find)?

[GeoffSmith]

Sorry, I should have said under the barcode on the VIN label - A100U04763 from memory.

[tigerdog]

If you download the service notes from the manuals section of this site, one of the notes includes notification of the paint change and includes a list of VINs built during the changeover period. You may be able to find your car in the list and answer the question.

[niall]

Thanks Tiger dog. I shall look for my vin there.
Geoff, The only number under the barcode on my label is EO75U1186 which doesn't seem to match any paint code!

[GeoffSmith]

The 075 signifies an Elite part so they obviously didn't include paint/trim codes.

[niall]

My car is sounding more and more like a mongrel!

[nitroman]

‘B’ codes indicate DuPont basecoat/clear acrylic enamel paint introduced during 1991, with water based paints being phased in during 1997.

Looking back to when water based 'environmentally friendly' paints started to be used in America, the early 'water' cars almost always have the color coat separate from the base coat. It took 2/3 years before they got it right & almost every one of those cars still around have had a repaint. It is easy to spot those which haven't!

[lotusflasherman]

The wiki tells that Lotus changed from ICI to Du Pont during 1991, so my paint might be either. That is why I need the code.

I've recently had a hardtop for my early 91 Elan' sprayed Pacific Blue and Silver Frost. The Service Notes Section BH Page 2 provides information that tells me mine was ICI two pack acrylic and I provided a copy to the guy who'd agreed to spray it. He told me it makes no difference what it was as he is now only allowed to use environmentally friendly water based paints anyway. He uses an ICI system like the Dulux Colourmixer for household paints and showed me all the colour cards that tell him how to mix it. It turned out a pretty good match anyway.

The Service Notes state the change was in June 91 and Du Pont cars were after VIN M8080,8083,8086,8088,8091,8100,8103-7 & 8110, depending on what colour it was. Black, Aqua Blue & Silk Red were introduced in the Du Pont period and were not available when ICI paint was used.

Hope that helps.

[niall]

Thanks. Mine is the A68 ICI colour code, as Lotus kindly informed me when I 'phoned. The H/T will be painted in about ten days so I anticipate the story on matching will be similar to yours.

[Specky]

Glad you're all sorted...

TTFN

[lotusflasherman]

The H/T will be painted in about ten days so I anticipate the story on matching will be similar to yours.

Out of interest - How much are you paying?

[niall]

I had an estimate several months ago and have lost the email message! I think the total was not more than yours.
Best wishes