FE & BMK Tags to ID Vehicle

[Minibarmy]

Evening all,

I very much doubt this is possible but any help on the ID would be appreciated.
I’ve found an early 850 Morris mini barn find, unfortunately it doesn’t have any registration plates and the Vin tag has been removed, owner thinks he done it years ago but can’t find them or the logbook.
It has some early parts fitted like 59 dated rear qtr windows but body features don’t match a 59, wiper motor is dated 62, chrome window catches.
Can the ID/registration be obtained from the FE & BMK tags that are present in the engine bay?
Thanks.

[woodypup59]

Very unlikely but you never know.

The FE number should give a guide to the date.

You might then be able to do a search at Gaydon in case the records have FE numbers detailed. BMK numbers might also be on the Heritage record - your car must be a Morris.

I know the Heritage Cert for my car has the BMK number on it - and I don't remember telling them that when I applied. The BMK is noted as "body" number.

I'm pretty sure that L and other numbers on welded on tags are untraceable.

What are the FE & BMK numbers.

EDIT - sorry for the curt reply last night, I'd just got back from 4 days at the NEC and a mare journey on the A14.

[minimk1man]

If you contact the archives dept at Gaydon they can trace it by the BMK body number. There will be an extra cost for this as it is a more time consuming job for them to do.

[Peter Laidler]

That said, while Heritage MIGHT be able to find a chassis number and a date of manufacture, I'm not confident that they will be able to give you a registration number. This will be the sticking point when it comes to registering it.

I am sure that others will be along soon but in the meantime, can I suggest that BEFORE you embark on any work, that you photograph and record everything. And remember that while the DVLA have been helpful, that's not a given.....

[mab01uk]

As said above DVLA are rarely helpful in such situations and if you do involve them it will likely be allocated a 'Q' Plate and a special DVLA issued VIN number. If the Mini made it onto the V5 computer database in the 1970's the registration number can often be found on an HPi type search by someone with 'motor trade' level HPi access just using the VIN/Chassis number if you had that. (or vice versa using reg number to find the VIN/Chassis no.)
Reg/VIN number tracing services are also available on ebay for a fee....

[minimk1man]

Some cars had the chassis number stamped on the triangular stiffner between the inner wing and the bulkhead. See https://1959miniregister.com/variations-numbers/

[Pete]

As Trev says BMIHT can trace the production record from the body number, and that’s all. Once you have that you might be able to trace it from the destination dealer stated on the production record to a registration archive for the area it was originally delivered to and most likely registered in but really depends where it was delivered to and it’s still a very long shot! However all that being said even if you did manage to track down the original registration this way the DVLA will still very likely NOT give you your original registration if you don’t have an original chassis plate. Car owners in a very similar position to you have been refused in the exact same way purely due having a reproduction chassis plate and were offered a Q plate. This procedure has been challenged by various clubs in recent times so im not quite sure is still the case.

[Peter Laidler]

You CAN challenge them Pete, as I know in my experience as a former vehicle examiner and the saga of the Lotus Cortina import and the rebuilt/restored Dolly Sprint. And incidentally, a rebuilt ex works car. But you have got to have balls of steel, KNOW that right is on your side and take them to the magistrates court by fair means or foul by insisting that the number on your car was the original number properly allocated by the Minister or State for Transport via his old County Vehicle licensing offices. Oh yes..... It also helps to be wealthy and have the vehicle examiner on your side too

[Costafortune]

A new chassis plate can be left outside over the winter - come spring, it will have aged nicely. A bit of road salt sprinkled over it helps.

[mab01uk]

A typical example below which shows why with the DVLA it is usually best to just 'let sleeping dogs lie'!
(ie.English Proverb: avoid interfering in a situation that is currently causing no problems but may well do so as a result of such interference).

Auction Lot: 1966 Morris Mini Cooper.
"It is understood that this Mini has been in storage for several years. As is often the case with classics of this age, at some time in the past the car was re-shelled using a later 1971 shell. Purchased by our vendor about three years ago who, in the process of updating the V5 in his name fell foul of the Swansea bureaucratic whirlpool, the upshot of which is that its original 1966 registration number has been cancelled, it has been issued with a new DVLA chassis number - DVLASWA3972414203. As such, it will require re-registering and once done will be issued with a ‘Q’ registration."
https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/auction ... i-cooper-s