8 replies to this topic

[Leroy Boyce]

Hello all,

A recently widowed friend of the family has given me her late husband's old mini shell.

He'd repaired the front end, fit the front subframe, suspension, wheels and engine and that's about it.

No glass, no rear subframe no interior.

It is an old J reg (1971?), and has no V5, and I want to register the new ownership.

Trouble is, I cannot find the VIN anywhere. The wife has no idea at all either.

I know I need it to get a new V5. Am I looking in the wrong place (inside the right front wing)? Is it different for cars this old?

If I cannot find one, is there anyway else I can register the car?

Thanks for your help.


Lee

[Bungle]

try registering it just with the reg number, once you have a V5 you can get a new vin number stamped

[Tupers]

As above if you know the reg number you should be able to apply for a new logbook in your name.

[Leroy Boyce]

Thanks guys.

I've found, what I think, is the correct form.

http://www.direct.go...t/dg_067819.pdf

But this says I need the VIN, chassis or frame number. Am I missing something?

[antcole]

Who can legally re-etch or stamp the VIN back onto the scuttle?

Ive replaced my scuttle panel and obviously theres no original VIN on it now....

[Leroy Boyce]

Could it be that cars this old do not have the VIN plate I'm expecting to see?

Is there another form of identification elsewhere on the car?

[Bungle]

on a 71 mini the vin number will be stamped onto a small plate pop riveted onto the front panel

like i said up there ^^^^ with the v5 in your name you can get new ones stamped

[jd24-7]

The vin is on the front panel but Will have been thrown away. I have had similar probs in the past. Pm your reg number and i Will get your vin . You can then send off for a v5.
I Dont think a car that age needs a vin plate for mot , but it makes life easier. Buy a blank from minispares or similar and stamp or etch it with the correct number. Or just make a plate.
Jd

Edited by jd24-7, 24 September 2012 - 09:21 PM.

[Leroy Boyce]

Hello again,

 

Well, I simply wrote off to the DVLA with a letter explaining my circumstances and they just sent me the V5, so that's the first bit sorted.

I'll post up some picks, but this is going to be a long, slow project with a very steep learning curve for me.

 

I've not worked on a car for over 10 years and then I didn't do that much.
 

However, I'm a great chippie and fairly mechanically-minded. I have an HNC in electrical engineering, so the wiring doesn't scare me!

 

I need to buy myself a welder and teach myself how to do it.

 

I will also paint it myself - been reading all the fascinating threads on rollering - superb.

 

I've also been reading all the restoration threads and they are truly inspiring. Fantastic achievements and such support from everyone.

 

I'll need pretty much a whole new toolkit.

 

I've made 4 of my patented "1ft sq of kitchen worktop with a caster on each corner" so I can move the car around really easily - a bit like a shopping trolley!

 

I'm on a pretty small budget and don't have a lot of time to dedicate at the moment! I'm a teacher so term-time is a no-no. Also the wife and two very young kids take priority. I'm hoping when my nippers are a bit older I'll really be able to go for it.

 

So, in the mean time, my first task is to whip out the front subframe and engine (completely seized, I think) and strip everything off the shell to see what I've got. I need to make sure it is straight as the rear is a bit ropey.

 

Ultimately, it will be that 60s pastel pale blue with an old-english white roof. No flared arches or anything - I like the original look (I'm trying to find a pic...).

 

Brace yourself for a LOT of questions! Cheers!