13 replies to this topic

[fatcatvera]

Hi,

 

I'm hoping this wise group can assist in unraveling a VIN conundrum. I have a 998 Mini that was registered new in the UK early Feb 1980. I'd like to prove it was built in 1979 to assist in bringing forward it's conversion to a Historic Vehicle by 12months. I'm asking the British Motor Museum to assist with this though they are struggle to recognise the VIN. The V5 and the VIN plate riveted to the inner wing tally.

 

The VIN is confusing though. The last six digits read #016374. My understanding is a vehicle from the 1980 era built in the UK should have a number that is not Zero for the 6th from last digit e.g. 512345

 

Is my vehicle built outside the UK? Or is there some other explanation that anyone aware of?

 

Thanks

 

RG

 

[nicklouse]

all you have given is the build number.

 

more info needed. like who is listed as the maker and the rest of the VIN.

 

79-80 was fun times

[fatcatvera]

VIN Plate is 'BL Cars Ltd'.

Top line of VIN plate reads  031A02

VIN line reads  (VIN REMOVED BY ADMIN)

 

Hope this helps?

 

 

PLEASE DO NOT POST FULL VIN NUMBERS ON A PUBLIC FORUM, YOU ARE LEAVING YOURSELF OPEN TO HAVING YOUR VIN CLONED. PLEASE CONTACT MEMBERS WHO CAN HELP VIA PM. THANKYOU.

[nicklouse]

just a note the last 4 is most likely to be an A

 

and yes the car is a 80 build.

[Compdoc]

Hi,

 

I'm hoping this wise group can assist in unraveling a VIN conundrum. I have a 998 Mini that was registered new in the UK early Feb 1980. I'd like to prove it was built in 1979 to assist in bringing forward it's conversion to a Historic Vehicle by 12months. I'm asking the British Motor Museum to assist with this though they are struggle to recognise the VIN. The V5 and the VIN plate riveted to the inner wing tally.

 

The VIN is confusing though. The last six digits read #016374. My understanding is a vehicle from the 1980 era built in the UK should have a number that is not Zero for the 6th from last digit e.g. 512345

 

Is my vehicle built outside the UK? Or is there some other explanation that anyone aware of?

 

Thanks

 

RG

Here's a good VIN decoder.

https://www.minimani...art_I__Revised_

[fatcatvera]

Thanks for the help here. 

 

The V5 and the chassis plate both definitely have a number '4' as the last digit and not an 'A'. Very odd, and perhaps a 40year old typo, but then maybe that's why it's not been making sense.

 

So perhaps the VIN serial number shouls be 301637, which makes more sense.

 

by the way NickLouse - how are you confident the car is 1980 build and not 1979? Do you have a VIN register that you can share?

 

thanks

 

Ray

[nicklouse]

just look it up on any of the Mini related decoded sites.

 

how do I deduce that is it an 80. as it was only the cars in 80 that had BL Cars Ltd on them. before that was different and after that was different.

[fatcatvera]

Thanks.

 

I'll follow up with the BMM now and see if it's build date was just inside 1979 as it's reg date is very early feb 1980.

[nicklouse]

why the BMM?  should you not be asking BMH?

[Bobbins]

.... I have a 998 Mini that was registered new in the UK early Feb 1980

 

In 4 months time it'll be 40 years old ... is this really worth all the trouble?

[fatcatvera]

BMM = British Motor Museum (British Motor Heritage are within the facility).

Richard at the BMM Archive has been extremely helpful today but it turns out there is more than just a typo for the A/4 at the end of the VIN and I’m not going to be able to establish exactly when the car was built. Oh well.

The car can’t be classified as Historic until 1st April 2021, not 2020, hence trying to prove its age.

[KTS]

 

.... I have a 998 Mini that was registered new in the UK early Feb 1980

 

In 4 months time it'll be 40 years old ... is this really worth all the trouble?

 

 

in 4 months time at the 1st of January 2020 it'll be 39 years and 10 months since it was first registered, so won't fall under the 40 year rule in 2020

 

the vehicle must be at least 40 years old at the beginning of the year you want to apply for historic vehicle status

 

edit for clarity...

Edited by KTS, 08 October 2019 - 12:22 PM.

[DomCr250]

 

 

.... I have a 998 Mini that was registered new in the UK early Feb 1980

 

In 4 months time it'll be 40 years old ... is this really worth all the trouble?

 

 

in 4 months time it'll be 39 years and 10 months since it was first registered, so won't fall under the 40 year rule in 2020

 

Exactly right.

[CityEPete]

Most of these cars were built, put on a lorry, and with the new owner straight away. Not many hung around for a few months like more exotic cars did.