FE number

[dlm]

Hi,
just got myself a '61 Austin Seven to restore with my son which he has posted about on TMF.
Somebody on there has replied to his posts telling him that the bodyshell is a later one which I don't believe is true.
It has welded seat mounts on the crossmember and everything appears to indicate it is genuine.

Could anyone date the shell by using the FE number for me?
The number is FE139924

Many thanks

[mk1coopers]

I think someones getting carried away with the seatbelt mounts (which as you point out are dealer fit parts with a bolt all the way through the pillar), the back side panel trims look like they screw on at top which is correct for an early shell, I'm sure someone will know where the FE number falls, but I suspect its the correct one for its age

[Simon776]

FE139924 dates to Q1 1961.

[Lord Croker]

I don't know how to use the FE number, but I would suggest that is a genuine '61 Mini, it couldn't be much later because I'm sure the welded seat brackets disappeared in 1962. I think you'll find a lot more accuracy on this forum!

[guru_1071]

its 100% an early 1961 car - ive had a couple, some with the welded brackets, some with the conversion brackets so the early seats can be used in a bolt type cross member

tfm - pah!

[dlm]

Thanks everyone for the replies, it's much appreciated.

I'm sure over the coming months I'll be needing to ask a few questions, it's good to know there are a lot of knowlegeable people about!