Direct from Page 2 section BH from the Lotus Service Notes on the Elan 1990 model year onwards.

BH.1-PAINT CODES: A lotus paint code number is allocated to all colours used on production cars, and is stamped in the lower left hand corner of the vehicle identification plate on early cars, or may be printed on the VIN label of later cars, located either next to the bonnet striker plate, or on the left hand front  wheelarch.

An 'option code' may also be included. The paint code identifies the type and colour of paint used in manufacture, and should be referred to before cmmencing any paint repairs. If the vehicle is not marked with the code, the VIN should be  quoted to Lotus Customer Services Dept. Prior to June 1991, cars were painted using ICI two pack acrylic polyurethane materials, including a P420 (mono) or  P421 (metallic) hardened colour coat, and a clear laquer, followed by a flatting  and polishing operation.

After this date, all cars have been finished using a Du Pont basecoat/clear acrylic enamel paint system to provide a high lustre paint finish straight from the spray gun.

'A' prefix paint codes are used for cars finished in ICI materials, and

'B' prefix codes for Du Pont finished cars.

Du Pont materials were introduced at the following change point:

VIN: M 8080, 8082, 8083, 8086, 8088, 8091, 8100, 8103, to 8107, 8110 onwards.

The paint code info will be in the same order as the following titles that are in all CAPS.

 

A21, IAAB, Monaco White, ICI P4207517, A089B6149V.

A21,IABB, Calypso Red,ICI P4207517, A089B6150V, mid red.

A45, IADB, Silver Frost (met), ICI P4217805, A082B6087V.

A59, IAJB, Steel Blue (met), ICI P4218118M, A082B6116V, grey/blue.

A64, IAOB, Norfolk Mustard, ICI P420WD55, A082B6192V.

A65, IAEB, British Racing Green, ICI P420GE51, A089B6197V.

A68, IANB, Pacific Blue (met), ICI P4217750, A089B6196V, mid blue.

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B01, IAAB, Monaco White, DuPont ABN9149, A100B6240V.

B02, IACB, Black, DuPont AB47600, A100B6240V.

B03, IABB, Calypso Red, DuPont ABK9197, A100B6239V, mid red.

B04, IAEB, British Racing Green, DuPont ABK9349, A100B6238V.

B05, IAOB, Norfolk Mustard, DuPont ABN9562, A100B6237V.

B06, IAQB, Aqua Blue (met), DuPont ABK9253, A100B6255V, torquoise.

B07, IARB, Silk Red (met), DuPont ABL9683, B100B6254V, maroon.

B08, IANB, Pacific Blue (met), DuPont ABN9144, A100V6234V, mid blue.

B09, IADB, Silver Frost (met), DuPont ABL9056, A100B6235V.

B10, IAJB, Steel Blue (met), DuPont ABN9148, A100B6236V, grey/blue.

PAINT CODE, OPTION CODE, COLOUR, MANUFACTURERS REFERENCE NO., LOTUS PART NO., REMARKS.

Paint Code Option Code Colour Manufacturers Ref. No. Lotus Part No. A21 A21 A45 A59 A64 A65 A68 B01 B02 B03 B04 B05 B06 B07 B08 B09 B10 IAAB IABB IADB IAJB IAOB IAEB IANB IAAB IACB IABB IAEB IAOB IAQB IARB IANB IADB IAJB Monaco White Calpyso Red Silver Frost Steel Blue Norfolk Mustard British Racing Green Pacific Blue (M) Monaco White(DP) Black (DP) Calypso Red (DP) British Racing Green (DP) Norfolk Mustard (DP) Aqua Blue (DP) Silk Red (M/DP) Pacific Blue (M/DP) Silver Frost (M/DP) Steel Blue (M/DP) ICI P4207517 ICI P4207517 ICI P4217805 ICI P4218118M ICI P420WD55 ICI P420GE51 ICI P4217750 ABN9149 AB47600 ABK9197 ABK9349 ABN9562 ABK9253 ABL9683 ABN9144 ABL9056 ABN9148     A100B6240V A100B6240V A100B6239V A100B6238V A100B6237V A100B6255V B100B6254V A100V6234V A100B6235V A100B6236V