From: A. Sta. Maria
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Now perhaps someone can confirm this:
1. The early Lotus number designations were preceded by "Mark" and
used
Roman numerals. For instance, Mark IX.
2. This was true until the Eleven, since "Mark XII" was perceived
as too
cumbersome, and Chapman decided that, after all, they were going to
be in
business longer than expected so Roman numerals will not work for
too long.
Hence the Eleven was simply the "Eleven" or "Lotus Eleven."
3. After the Eleven, however, only numerals were used, with no
preceding
term such as "Mark" or "Type." Hence the "Lotus 18."
>From pure memory, which has not been too reliable. Corrections would
be
appreciated.
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Basically true, but: my Eleven, the first Eleven ever built, (see
two part article in "Lotus World Magazine" Oct & Nov '87) carries an
original number plate which reads: " MK 11 153". There is also an
Eleven, totally replicated by Mike Brotherwood, which carries as
it's ONE AND ONLY ORIGINAL PART, the number plate from a car long
since parted out. That car had the MK 11 designation and was built
at some time AFTER my #153 even though it's number is "150" (see
above article by Vic Thomas, Eleven specialist of "Historic Lotus
Register") I guess the "Mark" designation was dropped very early
in the Eleven series though, since these are the only two "Mark 11s"
that I have found in 25 years of Eleven ownership and interest.
Tony in TX
MK 11 153 (Totally complete and original, totally in need of
restoration)
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