9 replies to this topic

[coyttl]

Hey all -
First let me start by saying I'm NOT ASKING for one!

Okay, there. That done, my Mini's been re-vinned when it was brought over. Due to my over-curiosity, I've been looking for the real VIN for the Mini for a while now.

Since I have my head off - the engine's head, I mean - I've been searching the firewall for any stamped numbers, and realized..

I don't know what I'm looking for.

What is the format of the VIN? 10 numbers? 3 numbers followed by a letter, etc?

On top of that, any other places I should look? (On the bonnet side of the driver's wheelwell I have screw-holes where one should be.)

Cheers,
Mike.

[cagy]

When do you think the car was made as it'll help narrow down where the VIN number could have been, or what model is it??

They did stamp the VIN number on the scuttle panel in the recess where the bonnet sits

[Guess-Works.com]

Doing a bit of scanning through your posts...

Your car is a '92 British Open Classic, however, in one of your posts you suggest that it's an injection ?? This being the case then it's unlikely to be a UK spec car, as the UK spec was carb, which means it's more likely to be of continental origin and therefore originally LHD.

On the other hand it could be a bitza, bits of this and bits of that.

[cagy]

If it's continental it could take some tracking, where did they make them on the continent in 92?? Belgium had finished not sure where else they'd have been done.

[Dan]

In 1992 Minis were made at Longbridge and nowhere else (except maybe South America but they were fibreglass).

There is only one place to look for the stamped VIN. In the gutter of the scuttle panel ahead of the RHD driver's seat. Since VINs were introduced in 1980 they have always been there. Prior to that shells were marked with various numbers in different places, but these numbers are not VINs. If the car has had the scuttle repaired or replaced, as is common, it may not have been restamped with it's original VIN. Hence why a new VIN was issued at import. Without the stamping or the original plate (which would have been removed of the stamping couldn't be found on inspection) or some documents, there is no way to know what it originally was. It would be 13 characters and begin SAXX. There is a chance that Heritage might know from the engine number, if that is original. They don't have great records for '80s and '90s cars though.

[cagy]

Heritage don't have good records for any age of car..... 70's were bad

[coyttl]

Thanks guys! I'll go check the scuttle tonight.

I DO know for sure that:
1. Build date was '92, due to finding some date tags on wiring harnesses and other stamped date codes on parts.
2. It IS injection (I took the manifold off, and while I may not be as smarts as most folks here, I can tell the difference between carb and injection. )
3. It was originally built LHD, not converted over as I had originally thought.
4. Engine's original to the car, and the number I have for it is proper for the car.

While it's not live or die if I don't find the original number, curiosity has always been my downfall.

I asked about the locations because on newer cars, they put that number just about everywhere, and had hoped that there would be some stampings or plates on the Mini that the previous owner missed.

Edited by coyttl, 22 September 2010 - 01:34 PM.

[cagy]

The scuttle would be the only place, your car might not have been made in 1992 depends what month the harness and stuff were made it could be an early 1993.

Heritage should be able to trace a VIN number with an engine number if their records allow them to. You should get in touch with them

[coyttl]

The scuttle would be the only place, your car might not have been made in 1992 depends what month the harness and stuff were made it could be an early 1993.

Heritage should be able to trace a VIN number with an engine number if their records allow them to. You should get in touch with them

I'll buzz them and see what they say, thanks!

--Mike.

[richieg]

I have an 86 mini and was looking for the stamped VIN number. Is there 1 on a car this age or just a plate and is it on the scuttle panel as well?
Could you give me an idea on how to go about finding it...where do i look?