The Lotus Grand Tourers

When looking at a few 86 MY excels i noticed that some have side marker repeaters, some don't.

The uk legislation changed April 86 to require their fitment.

The parts manual says that they are n/a for 84 and 85 MYs but no mention of the 86s.

Does anyone know the changeover chassis number and build date?

My SE shows June 86 on the log book does not have them I suspect it was sat on a forecourt for a good while before being registered.

Don't want to publish my chassis no on a public page but the last 4 digits were 10 years ago.

I tend to agree with your thoughts as my 86 SA is a MY 87 car so yours may have sat a long time.

Nov 86 reg and has them

192 years to chassis number

I know early 82 and 83 cars had them (my 82 does) and then seem to have been not fitted - my October 85 (86MY) SE doesn’t have them, then my August 87 SA has them.
As you say regulations changed to make them compulsory in 86.

My 85 car was 12 years ago and first registered on 1/11/85 as the Norfolk Motor Company as its keeper (demonstrator?)

Curious on your engine number as cars so close
Mines - DB912850922712

Engine number 2718 so very close.

The car video KevW posted today of the car in Ireland has Side repeaters and is a very early car (1983) and doesn't look to have been messed with.
Maybe side repeaters were factory fitted to some cars depending on destination.?

I suspect they were fitted to all narrow body Excels, removed when they introduced the wide body and re-introduced in 86 due to legislation.

Got my certificate of provenance, confirmed build date of 29th October 85 so if they don't change it in the budget free ved and no mot required next year. £79 spent to save about £400

Remember that should we have to deal with insurance companies they will require you to prove your car is serviceable. An MOT is your friend.