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I have a July 67 mk1 car which has a strange history. I am trying to figure out how or what might have happened to it.
I am 99.9 % sure it has been re shelled back in its first couple of years life, with a new shell. This shell was bumped by it's second owner in 72 ish and it sat untouched till I restored it in 2009.
Having stripped it bare, it had been painted and built like a factory fresh car, not repainted, and very well done.

All its metal tag numbers floor, FE etc are there except the body number on the landing panel ( which was the original panel ) If anyone can date the FE number it's FE 1131484

Could you buy a new shell ready painted from the factory then and would it have had a body number ?

From my experience, shells only came in primer, but they had an FE number. Had someone who had to use the FE number as a chassis number as the car was built from a new shell and had no other identity. That was 1970 and things were simpler then. Can't remember about Mk1/2s, but MK3 replacement shells only came in S spec, but without the second tank hole.

IAIN wrote:I have a July 67 mk1 car which has a strange history. I am trying to figure out how or what might have happened to it.
I am 99.9 % sure it has been re shelled back in its first couple of years life, with a new shell. This shell was bumped by it's second owner in 72 ish and it sat untouched till I restored it in 2009.
Having stripped it bare, it had been painted and built like a factory fresh car, not repainted, and very well done.

All its metal tag numbers floor, FE etc are there except the body number on the landing panel ( which was the original panel ) If anyone can date the FE number it's FE 1131484

Could you buy a new shell ready painted from the factory then and would it have had a body number ?

What about late model shells Iain, is there a number on them at all?

Yes all shells normally have a body number.

So Iain where shall I be looking ??

we reshelled a 1976 sandglow mini 850 in 1985 in the bodyshop where i worked..this had body number on new shell.as original,spotelded to slam panel..
was a brand new shell as the car was rotten and the car was owned by the cusomer from new,,

he decided the already(at 9 yrs old) rotten shell could sadly go no more ,and be economically viable so he shelled out for a legit reshell

strange thing is the car is still alive today with minimal rust

the car was given full "tuff kote dinol" /dinitrol wax underseal and injection after repaint/refit
every seam was sealed..

trouble is if sombody ever bought this car ,,and researched the digits it would come up as a sneid,,

IAIN wrote: Could you buy a new shell ready painted from the factory then and would it have had a body number ?

I would say yes you could buy painted bodyshells

I know for a 100% fact you could buy ford and vauxhall shells in colour.

I would imagine you could buy BL shells in colour.

We also used to order brand new sherpa's in our local council colours, it was £95.00 extra to buy a sherpa in a colour called sunspot witch was a bright orange

[quote="nick@dunsdale"] "I would say yes you could buy painted bodyshells"

Nick, That was my thoughts as well, but no one has been able to confirm either way so may be they did'nt.

Where is Simon when you want him. Simon if you see this could you date FE 1131484 which I think will be well after July 67 ? ( please )

ive got a 67 outside#'

ill check fe number now

blmc did do painted shells but only in certain colours and only if it was complete with bonnet boot and doors,

IAIN wrote:

nick@dunsdale wrote: "I would say yes you could buy painted bodyshells"

Nick, That was my thoughts as well, but no one has been able to confirm either way so may be you could'nt.

Where is Simon when you want him. Simon if you see this could you date FE 1131484 which I think will be well after July 67 ? ( please )

1082505 is late mar 67 build, if this helps as a guide ?
i know this cos ive just checked on one of our original unrestored cars outside