14 replies to this topic

[lager.and.pretzels]

All,

 

I'm attempting to peform the process here in Arizona, USA, that allows me to gain a bonded title for a Mini that I purchased last year for which there was no title capable of being transfered to myself. The process starts with a vehicle identification inspection, which is where I've landed in a jam:

 

The gentleman (inspection officer with the motor vehicle department) is somewhat unsatisfied with the identification currently on the car; I have a Morris motors VIN plate affixed to the firewall, and the last 5 digits of that VIN number are stamped into the little metal flange (some seem to call it a "wing", others a "stiffener") that compartmentalizes the area around the right front shock mounting point.

 

The gentleman expects some other form of identification that he says he expects to be somewhere in the vincinity of the rear axle... I was thoroughly confused, as I'd never heard of that myself in the research I've done in the past. He says that he has some sort of "official" database that leads him to believe strongly in the identity of the car based on a stamping in that area...

 

So, I'm curious if anyone can verify that there may be a number stamped in the back half of the car. Also, I want to know if anyone thinks it's worth trying to uncover any stamping in the scuttle gutter (rain gutter) area, on a 1961 Morris?

 

Thanks all!!

[Bungle]

normally just a tag like this

 

 

pop riveted to the front panel

 

[Bungle]

never seen or heard of anything on the back

[mini mad lad]

well i know on my 1990 shell it is stamped into the lip on the scuttle aswell as the vin plate and i dont know what the others think on here but i have never heard of a mini being stamped by the rear axle i think your guy might be misinformed. on a side note id like to see some pics of your lil mini just curious as to how the weather and US of America have treated the old girl lol . can you get in touch with anyone like minispares over in the states?

[freaker]

the plate on the front panel is acceptabel ( nut sure on spelling), in the uk for identification of the car. 

but as over here in belguim and seems in the uk the inspectors expect the chassis number to be stamped/engraved on the body panels. as thats the way the identify them, atleast over here. every mot they check its the correct number thats marked in the chassis. 

 

who also is on a little quest about the number on the car

[mini mad lad]

i thought i might have been because my car looked to good to be broken and sold as it was but my logbook came back fine friday and i have the same number stamped into the scuttle however what happens if you have to replace the scuttle panel you will lose that stamped on number. does the car then become illegal since there is only the vin to identify .ps my scuttle is perfect touch wood lol

[freaker]

in the uk the vin plate is good enough for identification.

 

over here you can go to specific mot station that will move your chassisnumber to a different location. if your rebuilding it.

if you need to replace the scuttle you need to do this, over here atleast

 

freaker

[mab01uk]

Some useful information here:

http://www.minimail....sis-vin-plates/

[Dan]

The number in the scuttle gutter is a VIN which only existed from 1980, older cars have nothing there. Your car has a chassis number rather than a VIN. Check the front floor pan thoroughly under the right hand seat, but I've never heard of anything near the back axle either unless it was specifically for US exports.

[Dr s]

The VIn will be on the Radiator should on a 60's car as opposed to being on the slam panel as in the photo above.

I think they where also stamped into the drivers side floorpan. But that may well be rotted away by now.

[lager.and.pretzels]

The number in the scuttle gutter is a VIN which only existed from 1980, older cars have nothing there. Your car has a chassis number rather than a VIN. Check the front floor pan thoroughly under the right hand seat, but I've never heard of anything near the back axle either unless it was specifically for US exports.

Will this be a separate number plate piece, or stamped into the pan?

 

Here is the best reference I was able to find for any stamping in the rear of the car:
http://www.theminifo...r/#entry1620496

[Dr s]

I've only seen one once in the floor pan... but I think it was a tag with probably about 6-8cm long with stamped in numbers. Spotted on towards the front corner of the drivers footwell on the side nearest the inner sill.

[mk1coopers]

The Chassis number on a MK1 will be on a plate (like those pictured above) which attached with two small PK screws to the LH side of the car on the radiator inner wing cowling, the stamping on the stiffner was sometimes done on early Morris built cars, some have it, some don't, you are lucky it's there as if the other one has gone at least it will give you the numbers so you can apply for a heritage certificate for the car, you will then be able to get a new plate made up by a supplier and fit that.

 

The numbers on the plate on the front floor pan are floor pressing numbers, nothing to do with the chassis number, there should also be a number above the location of the chassis plate on the inner radiator cowling that starts FE..123456 ect, if you have this certain people can date the assembly of the 'Front End'

 

As far as I know there have never been numbers near the rear 'axle' (It has radius arms and a subframe, there is no axle as such)

Edited by mk1coopers, 30 May 2014 - 03:05 PM.

[surfblue]

The Chassis number on a MK1 will be on a plate (like those pictured above) which attached with two small PK screws to the LH side of the car on the radiator inner wing cowling, the stamping on the stiffner was sometimes done on early Morris built cars, some have it, some don't, you are lucky it's there as if the other one has gone at least it will give you the numbers so you can apply for a heritage certificate for the car, you will then be able to get a new plate made up by a supplier and fit that.

 

The numbers on the plate on the front floor pan are floor pressing numbers, nothing to do with the chassis number, there should also be a number above the location of the chassis plate on the inner radiator cowling that starts FE..123456 ect, if you have this certain people can date the assembly of the 'Front End'

 

As far as I know there have never been numbers near the rear 'axle' (It has radius arms and a subframe, there is no axle as such)

I would agree with all of the above,(my Mk1 Morris has chassis number pop rivetted to radiator cowling) perhaps a letter from an official of a mini club / Mk1 expert would suffice? I suggest you contact the Mk1 Forum, lots of specialist knowledge on there.

Edited by surfblue, 30 May 2014 - 04:27 PM.

[lager.and.pretzels]

Thanks for the information guys. I think I'll search for more images of the stamping I have on the stiffener as evidence that it's a valid id location; the officer wasn't convinced of it, especially because the stamping is sloppy (which I've also read is totally normal).

It totally feels like he might be mis-matching my car for some other car in his database.