Help is requested from the cognoscenti:
All of the various books I have describe the serial number of my newly
acquired Sprite MkIV as being on a plate on the inner left hand wheel
valance. Unfortunately, the PO or someone else (I have no knowledge as I
bought the car at a public auction) removed this plate, and the motor plate,
and the bonnet badge. The car is in far too good a shape for a reasonable
owner to have removed them for a quick buck; maybe something shady happened.
The boot lock had been forcibly (but not completely destructively) opened,
so I suspect it was vandalized by someone knowledgeable.
Q1:
At any rate, the VIN number on the previous (legal) title matches a number I
found on the chassis, except for the leading H present on the title but
absent from the chassis. This number is stamped on a frame member near the
front right damper (I'm literally 400 miles from the car right now, forgive
my inexactness). This location is never mentioned in the books - is it
reasonable to assume this number would/should match the little valance
plate? Is this frame number only on some obscure knockoff, and I've been
had? It is apparently a valid number with all the correct codes, not a
paint code or anything like that.
Q2:
Can I get a reproduction plate that I can have stamped and reattach to the
left valance? Is there a database somewhere that would tell me what the
engine plate number should have been for this particular car?
Q3:
Is there a way to do a VIN number search [other than hiring the Lone Gunmen
;^) ], that would see if someone else is using this VIN elsewhere, courtesy
of the pinched labels? I'd like to know that in case I really go hog wild
on a restoration.
Q4:
Finally, is there a source of bonnet badges less cheesy than the China-made
plastic one I got from one of the usual suppliers? I would imagine the
original was something more substantial.
Sorry if any of this been answered 10,000 times before. If so, just email
me directly.
cheers,
tim, a completely obsessed new LBC fan
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