6 replies to this topic

[Se7enS1ns]

Firstly - Hello all, it has been quite a while since my last post, as I took a few years out of the mini-scene due to various personal circumstances...

But I'm back now, with a newly acquired Clubman to boot, which I'm very happy with, and drives and feels exactly as I remember a mini should!! It's been too long

Quick question though regarding VIN plates / commission numbers: Obviously during the pre-purchase once over I made sure that the car presented matched up with the V5. There is the usual black / silver oval-ish shaped plate at the front of the slam panel with the vin number as per the log book stamped into it - but thats it.

Should there be a commission number too? My other mini had a red tag stamped with a number, which was placed to the side of the vin number - should the Clubby have the same? I cant see anywhere on the log book that has a commission number - can I find this out from anywhere??

My other mini had the VIN number stamped into the bonnet gutter too - but this doesn't seem to be present on the Clubby - I've checked that it's not just been painted over or fillered, and it's definitely not there. I'm "informed" that this was only done from the early 80's onwards, so mine wont have it (it's a '78) - can anyone confirm??

Sorry for the 20-questions, and thanks in advance :)

[Artful Dodger]

i have a 72 clubman, i got a commision plate and a vin plate. should have it :)

[Se7enS1ns]

Interesting! Does yours have the VIN / Chassis number stamped in the bonnet gutter?

How do I find out the commission number??

[Dan]

A VIN is not the same as a chassis number, although they perform the same function. Earlier cars have a chassis number, that is the one on the black oval plate. In 1980 Europe introduced a VIN system. A VIN is a strictly controlled sequence of numbers including characters that relate to specific things that are officially required to be there. The cars with VINs have them stamped into the scuttle gutter as you said, cars from before 1980 don't have a VIN as there was no such thing so they don't have it stamped there. The V5 is not setup for older cars, so it is fine to put the chassis number from the earlier record system in as a VIN, essentially they perform the same function. Your car would have had a commission number and you may be able to find it from BMH, but it's not essential that you know it.

Edited by Dan, 24 April 2012 - 09:51 PM.

[Se7enS1ns]

Dan that is probably the most thorough and comprehensive answer to the questions I could have hoped for, sincerely, thank you for that, that has cleared it up a treat!!

So just to confirm then, the only source of identification on my '78 Clubby is a chassis number, which is stamped onto a metal plate attached to the slam panel, which matched up to the section on the V5 which says "VIN Number".... and that's it?

The V5 shows an engine number as "14423" - which matches up with the engine block, however this has been stamped directly into the block face rather than a metal tag - I suspect the car has had an engine swap at some point and this has been updated on the log book.

Also I noticed one other thing - the rectangular metal plate on the inner wing isn't present, and does not appear as if it ever was (no rivets / holes) unless I'm looking in the wrong place - I understand this contains the paint code and trim(?) codes... is this something that appeared part way through the 80's also?? I've checked the plate on my Fiesta and it doesnt seem to have anything to do with the actual identification of the car - does it??

Thanks again!!

[wbutcheruk2]

Hello,
I have a question on the subject of the commission number. I have a 1969 cooper. It has the Black vin plate in it, but doesn't have the red commission plate. Is there a way of finding out the number to get a new plate made?

[62S]

I have a question on the subject of the commission number. I have a 1969 cooper. It has the Black vin plate in it, but doesn't have the red commission plate. Is there a way of finding out the number to get a new plate made?

I'm pretty sure that the production records from 1969 do not have the Commission Number recorded in them. For most 1969 Coopers the plate would be mounted vertically on the right hand inner wing.