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My 1960 Mini has the body number attached just above the radiator surround. I'll probably have to replace this part of the inner wing and so I'm wondering: How do I safely remove this body number so I can attach it to the new inner wing repair panel?

I'm guessing it's spot welded and so would do well to drill it out from behind without damaging the front?

Unless I am mis=reading the question Cobolman, then I'd cut away that part of the wing WITH the number and carefully remove the backing part from the numbered plate. Then you've got the original number to attach to the new panel.

If you're like me...... Being foortunate enough to live near Morris and Cowley, MG and Abingdon, I asked 'someone there' if they get me new engine, body and commission numbers to replace the ttat attached to my heap of a car, They did and during the restoration I attached the new=made but genuine BL plates. But kept the originals, firmly fixed into a scrap book that details the complete restoration and stuff!!

Isn't the body number attached on the front panel, near the Bonnet Lock Pin?

Given where the spot welds are, just drill them out and use the two holes to weld it in place again on the new panel.

Fanfaniracing wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 3:11 pm Isn't the body number attached on the front panel, near the Bonnet Lock Pin?

Quote:
"From 1959 to late 1970’s the FE number lives above the radiator cowling on the inner wing just above where the chassis number would have gone on a Mk1/2. By the end of the 1960’s the body number was usually (but not always) on the left hand side of the slam panel as the Chassis and Commission plates were then mounted on the right hand side of the slam panel."
More details in the MiniMail PDF file (scroll down) here:-
https://www.minimail.co.uk/chassis-vin-plates/

cobolman wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 12:00 pm My 1960 Mini has the body number attached just above the radiator surround. I'll probably have to replace this part of the inner wing and so I'm wondering: How do I safely remove this body number so I can attach it to the new inner wing repair panel?

I'm guessing it's spot welded and so would do well to drill it out from behind without damaging the front?

BodyNumber.jpg

That is the FE (Front Ent) Number Plate you are showing in that photo, NOT the Body Number Plate, which is either spot welded on the top right side of the 'slam' platform of the Front Panel on a Mk1 Austin Mini, stamped (not embossed like this one) with a number commencing with the letter 'A', OR on an early Morris, a smaller, thinner plate embossed with a number commencing 'BMK', attached with self tapping screws to the nearside of the bulkhead.

The FE plate identifies just the Front End sub-assembly from about the wings forward, whereas the Body Number identifies the complete shell.

Occasionally, a further Floor Number Plate can be found in either the driver and / or passenger footwell, unsurprisingly commencing with the letter 'F'.

These were all added by the Pressed Steel Fisher works at the 'body in white' phase of production.

Hope this helps.