[Spridgets] VIN number issue

[Rick Fisk]

I think we are talking about different things here.  :-)  I believe the "Registration" plate you are referring to is what we call a "License" plate here in the states.  This is the plate on the rear (and in some states the front) of the car.  

The chassis ID plate on a Bugeye is not fastened with rivets, it's fastened with crosshead screws.    I'm referring to the ID plate mounted on the chassis rail under the carbs.  There is no riveted VIN plate on a Bugeye in the USA.  The engine plate was riveted, but makes no difference, because it was not used for registration purposes.  Hot tanking the engine block will dissolve the aluminum engine plate.

Sent from my keyboard

> On Mar 24, 2015, at 9:23 AM, GUY DAY <grday at btinternet.com> wrote:
> 
> This is the chassis (VIN) and engine plates I was referring to; not the registration number plate.  Having said that - this would appear to be the one that does fall off most as sometimes the cross head screws will undo with vibration.  <smile>  The rivets holding the VIN and engine plates don't, they have to be taken off on purpose - but as said, there can be valid reasons for this.
> 
> Guy R Day
> 
> 
> From: Rick Fisk <refisk at chartermi.net>
> To: GUY DAY <grday at btinternet.com> 
> Cc: Bob Spruck <raspruck at gmail.com>; Spridget list <Spridgets at autox.team.net> 
> Sent: Tuesday, 24 March 2015, 13:09
> Subject: Re: [Spridgets] VIN number issue
> 
> The number plate on a Bugeye does not fall off on it's own.  But they were fastened to the car with crosshead screws.  To many people that means take it off when doing a "restoration".  And then for whatever reason the plate does not get reinstalled.
> 
> The fact that the car has been registered in two different states indicates to me that it's probably OK.  But check the other locations for numbers.  :-)
> 
> Sent from my keyboard
> 
>> On Mar 24, 2015, at 6:46 AM, GUY DAY via Spridgets <spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:
>> 
> 
>> Should you be wary about anomalies such as this?  If you had ever been the owner of a car stolen from you then this would ring very loud warning bells. 
>> If the engine is meant to be original then look for the aluminium engine number plate riveted on a horizontal platform towards the front of the block.  Has that gone missing as well?  Then you go looking for paint colour oddities and because it is a 50 year old car there is guaranteed to be something. 
>> 
>> There can be 1001 good, honest reasons for the oddities with this motor but will you be thinking, in the back of your mind, that this was someone's pride and joy before it was taken and changed into what is seen before me.  If you don't get it then some else will and does your inner voice say, 'Its a 50 odd year old car, there are bound to be some faults', or does it say, 'This car isn't right, stay well clear'.
>> 
>> Identifying plates do not normally fall off on their own and my 45 year old Sprite has them where they should be.  It is not just the anomaly in the number it is the reason the anomaly has arisen that should be looked into.
>> 
>> Sorry to be so negative but as an owner who has had cars taken (yes, plural) it does bring things to the fore again.
>> 
>> 
>> Guy R Day 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> From: Bob Spruck via Spridgets <spridgets at autox.team.net>
>> To: Spridget list <Spridgets at autox.team.net> 
>> Sent: Tuesday, 24 March 2015, 1:30
>> Subject: [Spridgets] VIN number issue
>> 
>> On a Bugeye I am interested in, I have discovered an apparent anomaly in the year and VIN. The car has no VIN plate but is considered to be a 1961 Mk1 and has been registered in two states as such. However, the VIN is listed on both registrations as AN5L xxxx. Since they made, what, 59,000 Bugeyes and ended in 1961, a car considered a '61 should have a five digit number, somewhere approaching 59,000. If the four digit number is correct, it should be, I expect, maybe a '59. 
>> 
>> Is there any other place that the VIN appears? Or any other way of determining the true VIN number or true year of manufacture?
>> 
>> Perhaps I should just leave well enough alone?
>> 
>> Bob Spruck
>> Sharpsburg, GA 
>> 
>> '72 Midget
>> '67 Midget Vintage Racer
>> Maybe a '59 or '61 Bugeye
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
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