Random post and something that is a mammoth task but figured the knowledge that exists on here may be able to help:

My Dad had a 1969 Lotus Elan which he built up and modified back in around 1986. He apparently wooed my Mum with it.

Anyway, my Dad lives in Cornwall (I've not had a great relationship with him nor have I seen him too much over the course of my life) but now he is in care and a lot of his property has been lost to time, including his car.

He's been in touch with me asking if I could help him potentially locate it. I guess my question is, if someone has collected it or towed it somewhere or sold it or scrapped it, will there be a paper trail? I have the registration number but the DVLA Gov website doesn't give me any Information other than the type of car it is and the fact it isn't taxed (and needed an MOT as of 1987). With this being a classic car I'm sure it's long gone but if there's anyone with any ideas on how to trace it I'd be grateful for the help.
Cheers!

Ask the owners club.

Or https://lotuselan.net/forums/

Facebook and enquire of any historical Cornish sites if they would share your query. Particularly any for his home area. A good looking car could even pop up in their photo section.

There is also an Elan registry on line

If you put the reg into check-mot.service.gov.uk you'll find out if it's mot'd.. gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax will tell you if it's taxed, sorn or scrapped. There are Facebook groups for various makes of car.. a group member may be aware of the car's whereabouts.. if you write to dvla explaining the situation, they may throw some light on it.

There are probably Lotus and Elan owners pages on Facebook.

Designed by Ron Hickman who also invented the Workmate .

Thank you guys.

After a bit of research I've seen on one of those "car check" websites the car was registered to someone in 2020. Whilst my Dad has never sold the car, the car was out of my Sas's possession for so long I'm guessing it may have become someone else's by default?

My Dad does have the original documents and registration for it though, though I'm guessing it now may be too late.