mk1-forum.net

Out of curiosity - I recently spotted an ad of a Mk1 mini on Facebook. The advertiser stated: "No logbook or paperwork. Chassis number is stamped on the bulkhead"
My questions:
- where is said chassis number exactly (if this at all was stamped from factory)?
- would this chassis number be identical to the VIN-number or could it be somehow matched with its corresponding VIN?
- I suppose said "chassis number" is not the FE-number, is it?

I am asking because I was offered an ex-race Cooper S with its VIN-plate missing. Maybe someone can shed some light on this, pls.

The very early minis had the number stamped on the web/flitch plate that is attached to the bulkhead/wing Believe it was on theLH plate.
Sure, there are some 59/60 experts on here that can provide more details.

You don't say where in the world this Mini is from.
I've never seen a British Mini with the chassis number stamped on the bulkhead. I agree that some early Minis had it stamped into the web of the inner wing.
Australian Minis DID have the chassis number stamped into the bulkhead however and this may be true in other markets.

Had a 1961 Morris "CKD" Australian where the chassis number was stamped into the front bulkhead along with the Australian chassis plate this was fixed with 2 x Self Tappers adjacent to the Cowley CKD chassis number stamping.. this all on the front bulkhead just below the first wiper drive .. Australia was kind to the body., other than evident witness marks inflicted by High Heels that had damaged one rear inner bin just on the left side ..

360gts wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 3:19 pm The very early minis had the number stamped on the web/flitch plate that is attached to the bulkhead/wing Believe it was on theLH plate.
Sure, there are some 59/60 experts on here that can provide more details.

1959 Mini register - Variations – Numbers, Chassis, Engine, FE etc:-
https://1959miniregister.com/variations-numbers/

My 62 Austin Cooper has no Nr stamped at all. Only the VIN plate is were it is on all early minis

Just for info later Minis from around 1980 have the VIN number also stamped into the rain channel/gutter that runs along the back edge of the bonnet aperture.
ie. windscreen scuttle above the master cylinders on a RHD car and below any rubber seal fitted in the channel).

Old English White wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2024 7:56 pm You don't say where in the world this Mini is from.
I've never seen a British Mini with the chassis number stamped on the bulkhead. I agree that some early Minis had it stamped into the web of the inner wing.
Australian Minis DID have the chassis number stamped into the bulkhead however and this may be true in other markets.

Thanks to you all for the valueable and valued informationl.
The Mini I was refereing to seemed to be advertised in the UK. The other, the "S" is here in Austria.

Summed up: there is no other Chassis-No than the one on the VIN-plate, i.e if that has gone missing there is no way to recover it.

Heritage used (??) to be able to link a car to its records using the body number (stamped on a plate welded to the bonnet slam panel).

Ie if you gave them the body number they could give you the rest of the ID.

Cheers, Ian

1071 S wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:59 pm Heritage used (??) to be able to link a car to its records using the body number (stamped on a plate welded to the bonnet slam panel).

Ie if you gave them the body number they could give you the rest of the ID.

Cheers, Ian

They won't do it now though. They have really tightened up on access to records & what they will & will not give out. This is entirely due to the huge number of cars that have been resurrected using their build details.

MiNiKiN wrote: ↑Tue Apr 16, 2024 8:27 am Thanks to you all for the valueable and valued informationl.
The Mini I was refereing to seemed to be advertised in the UK. The other, the "S" is here in Austria.

Summed up: there is no other Chassis-No than the one on the VIN-plate, i.e if that has gone missing there is no way to recover it.

If a UK Mini is still registered on the DVLA database it is possible to recover the Chassis/VIN number using the vehicle registration number via someone in the Motor Trade (or maybe a Forum member?) who has full trade access to do an HPI type check on vehicles, such as Experian Autocheck, etc.
https://www.autocheck.co.uk/

What type of self tapper originally held the plate onto the radiator vent surround, phillips / pozi / slotted, round head or pan head ?

Some images below from the 1959 Mini Register which may help.
https://1959miniregister.com/variations-numbers/

Thanks very much