Help identifying this mini

[MiniDave]

There might be something - paperwork - in the car that shows the vin, an old reg, service or Mot or something.

[94touring]

After tons and tons of research I have concluded it was built in April 1973.  Dvla records show first registered in the UK in 1980 and manufactured in 1973.  Case solved.

That's great.  Do you think that is enough to get the process started to have the title changed?

I do.  I have the gov documents to print that have the current plate on the car showing the correct year, along with official documents that go into detail explaining vin codes which will match the stamp on the wing.  Along with production numbers and other innos of the  same year with their vins all showing conclusively what it is and how the error was made.  If the state has a copy of the v5c from importation it will also show both years.  The dvla website explains it as well.  So it is really hard to imagine it can't be corrected.  Everything I'm reading about title corrections points to it can be done with evidence.

[BruceK]

Great.  So, did you buy the car?

[94touring]

Dave do you want to take this one?

[BruceK]

You guys didn't chip in and buy me a present, did you?  ;D

[94touring]

Yeah we're like Oprah.  AND YOU GET A CAR AND YOU GET A CAR!

[MiniDave]

Yes, Dan and I went halvsies on the car. I'm going to do the mechanical refurbishment and Dan will make the body and interior pretty, then we'll sell it. We may put it on BaT just for fun or we may just put it on Craigslist and see what happens.

We're both pretty pumped on what a good car it is (maybe) but we're not counting chickens yet till we get it to my shop and can evaluate it further. Dan is confident he can get the title situation sorted so that will make it easier to move too.

I'll be starting a restoration thread once the car hits my shop with plenty o pics.

[94touring]

Car has been put over into my name this afternoon and hauled to a different location for me to get. 

[gr8kornholio]

Dig the wheels on that.

[BruceK]

Very cool on the partnership.   4.gif   So you are both doing the Edd China role?  ;D

[MiniDave]

Sorta, each to their strengths.....

I'll get it running and convert the steering back to left side, we'll know more once we get it running but the plan is to drop the motor and subframe out and give it all a good clean and paint. There is no engine plate so unless we can find some sort of history or document with that info we won't be able to put one back on.

[Vikram]

This is all very exciting, looking forward to it!

[94touring]

This was the other car that was bought.

[gr8kornholio]

Starting to get a good collection of minis at the shop.

[94touring]

Well the orange one was bought by a guy named Aaron.  Inno goes to Dave toward the end of the month.  Then back to the grind getting other cars done so I can reclaim my shop. 

[drmini]

Looks good!  I see in the photos that it has the "Export" badges on the A panels, so yes it is a 1300 Export.  Wheels are not stock, but are Abarth Cromodoras.  Did the number stamped into the inner fender match the number on the title and the VIN plate?

[94touring]

More clues.  Not finding anything stamped on the wing.  The shell however is flawless, no new panels, reskinned doors, really good paint that shows zero sign of a respray.  Every bit and bob is innocenti.  Would a 73 have a washer bottle bracket holder on the right wing? Starting to wonder if it was a reshell with virtually every inno part transferred over.

[MPlayle]

The black canister item in front of the brake booster is about where the Innocenti body number/VIN should be stamped into the inner wing.

I still haven't dug out my Parnell book to check anything.

[94touring]

Yeah nothing there.  I had my head burried in there on that side looking with all my might.  The wing has not been replaced.  All factory welds and sealer is there.

[drmini]

So, did you move the black canister?  Lots of junk in the way, I bet it's under there somewhere.  BTW, here's the ad on MM cars for sale section for the Rostyle wheels.   https://www.minimania.com/cars4Sale/15261/Part__Mini_1275_GT_Rostyle_Wheels

[MPlayle]

I found a picture from a past BaT auction of an Innocenti Mini that shows the stamped VIN/Body number.  It is on the right inner wing behind the brake booster - stamped directly into the inner wing.

[94touring]

Looking at the vin stamp vs the area I was looking in, I'd say it doesn't have one.   Anyone identity this number?

[94touring]

Bonnet hinges on this 75 inno are the inner hinges like early minis used.  Ours is outter.

[94touring]

Notta

[drmini]

I bet it's hidden under the wiring harness.  There's too much correct stuff on that car for it not to be a real Innocenti.