Discussion
Early TVR's have NO markings on the chassis. The only identity is the VIN plate which attaches to the front bulkhead via 2 copper rivets
New blank VIN plates are available for those who wish to have a new plate stamped up with their numbers for a new restoration..
Personally I have never done this and all my cars have the old original manky plates fitted…
I suppose this could lead to examples of fraud but to create a new identity you would have to have a registration document and as such because the cars are rare they are generally able to be traced and any made up chassis number in the sequence would have to be accounted for!
Sometimes where a car is being identified by the DVLA during export / import or re-registering for example then an inspector would insist that the VX / LVX identity number is stamped onto the chassis but again this is on rare occasions and generally concerning cars which have been recently re-built and for whatever reason need a DVLA inspection.
Where a car is missing its chassis identity then it is simply a case of proving in so far as reasonably possible that the car is a restored car and an identity would be supplied allowing for an age related plate.
Where a car is build but its origin and age cannot be proven then generally a Q plate will be issued on a DVLA chassis number.
In the case of a vixen then the VX or LVX sequence number is the original VIN. if your vixen does not have a VIN with an LVX sequence then it points to something in its history where the LVX Vin has been lost and a re-registration has occurred. perhaps during an import / export exercise where a specific country may have different rules governing chassis numbering!
The VX / LVX numbers are on my V5 documents so this is likely to be an issue with the change in country i would think!
N.
New blank VIN plates are available for those who wish to have a new plate stamped up with their numbers for a new restoration..
Personally I have never done this and all my cars have the old original manky plates fitted…
I suppose this could lead to examples of fraud but to create a new identity you would have to have a registration document and as such because the cars are rare they are generally able to be traced and any made up chassis number in the sequence would have to be accounted for!
Sometimes where a car is being identified by the DVLA during export / import or re-registering for example then an inspector would insist that the VX / LVX identity number is stamped onto the chassis but again this is on rare occasions and generally concerning cars which have been recently re-built and for whatever reason need a DVLA inspection.
Where a car is missing its chassis identity then it is simply a case of proving in so far as reasonably possible that the car is a restored car and an identity would be supplied allowing for an age related plate.
Where a car is build but its origin and age cannot be proven then generally a Q plate will be issued on a DVLA chassis number.
In the case of a vixen then the VX or LVX sequence number is the original VIN. if your vixen does not have a VIN with an LVX sequence then it points to something in its history where the LVX Vin has been lost and a re-registration has occurred. perhaps during an import / export exercise where a specific country may have different rules governing chassis numbering!
The VX / LVX numbers are on my V5 documents so this is likely to be an issue with the change in country i would think!
N.
Edited by Dollyman1850 on Thursday 7th July 06:44
Edited by Dollyman1850 on Thursday 7th July 06:50
Thanks Neil.
This is clear to me and in line with my thoughts.
I had the car with documents and number stamped in but no green plate.
Engine number was correct so no fraude.
Now I have to convince our DVLA and custom and police.
This will happen on 22 july,
Hopes I get a dutch registration so I can drive the car.
Hans
This is clear to me and in line with my thoughts.
I had the car with documents and number stamped in but no green plate.
Engine number was correct so no fraude.
Now I have to convince our DVLA and custom and police.
This will happen on 22 july,
Hopes I get a dutch registration so I can drive the car.
Hans
Hi Astacus
Thanks for the info.
2 answers given the same result so lets wait for 22 july.
Thanks again.
Hans
[quote=Astacus]Hi Hans,
I think everyone is at classic Le Mans!
I have heard that some cars have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) marked on the chassis, but I have never seen one marked like that. Its probably a feature of later cars, but I can't be sure. The VIN plate with the engine number and the VIN is common to all the early TVRs, Some of the early Granturas had a brass one, which looks rather nice. Certainly from the 1800S onwards, I think it was the green aluminium plate. This varied over time and I imagine changed as new batches of the plates were prepared, rather than by model. Also earlier cars had stamped numbers and later cars had them engraved with a vibrating engraver, but I don't know when the changeover happened. Again I doubt it was a model thing, but you never know.
As for how the VIN is inextricably linked to the car, I suspect that for the early cars it simply isn't, which is why its possible to make copies.
You may well be right that at some point the law changed and obliged manufacturers to find a more permanent place to fix the VIN, perhaps some one can enlighten us, when they get back!!!!
I also have an MGBGT and the VIN on that car is on a simple aluminium strip, which is pop riveted to the body. That is a 1971 car, so if it became obligatory to stay it on the bodywork, it was after that.
If your car lacks a VIN plate, then it has probably become lost
Hi Hans,
In the Netherlands, the RDW will check the identity of the car during their test. They have a special investigation for this, in case the identity is not 100% clear. In the case of an early TVR, this is often the case, as others pointed out, because there is no chassis number stamped in the chassis (by TVR themselves). A welded up plate, or a new clearly fresh VIN plate riveted etc are of zero meaning to the RDW, and may only cause them to be overly suspicious. Also don't put in your chassis number yourself in the chassis member, they have advanced equipment which can trace it as a recent action. Best thing is to be honest, and show all the history you have of the car. Also to explain that TVR did not stamp chassis numbers on early cars. You can also seek advise with some of the Dutch specialists in the business who have dealt with these issues before.
In the Netherlands, the RDW will check the identity of the car during their test. They have a special investigation for this, in case the identity is not 100% clear. In the case of an early TVR, this is often the case, as others pointed out, because there is no chassis number stamped in the chassis (by TVR themselves). A welded up plate, or a new clearly fresh VIN plate riveted etc are of zero meaning to the RDW, and may only cause them to be overly suspicious. Also don't put in your chassis number yourself in the chassis member, they have advanced equipment which can trace it as a recent action. Best thing is to be honest, and show all the history you have of the car. Also to explain that TVR did not stamp chassis numbers on early cars. You can also seek advise with some of the Dutch specialists in the business who have dealt with these issues before.
Hallo.
Bedankt voor deze info.
Is in line met hetgeen bij mijn vriend gebeurde.
Moest 5 x terug (douane, politie) en kreeg te horen dat de auto eigenlijk in beslag genomen moest worden.
Goed gekomen door inslag VIN door douane.
Hoop dt het de 22e juli goed moet komen.
For the englishmen.
Thanks for info.
Story is in line what happend to a friends Vixen.
Had to come back 5 times (police and DVLA) and was told they should keep te car.
Alright in the end by number in chassis by DVLA.
Cross your fingers for 22 july
Hans
Well at last I had an appointement with customs/DVLA in Holland.
Took many months after finishing my Vixen due to busy DVLA and a canceled appointment.
In Holland there are only a restricted number of gorverment employees that can import a classic car, so a long waiting list of 8 weeks.
See my tiny car for his examination.
The employee didn't know anything of the TVR Vixen so I gave him some TVR books with the necessary info.
- first weighed the car
- took wheel base measurements (length and width)
- checked engine supports (are the original he asked)
- I pointed to the chassis number stamped in by one of the owners. That was alright for him.
- searched engine number as mentioned on the V5C document. I had never found that either so he left to his office.
Came back a little later and scratched on the right side, to the front of the engine just under the head and the number 0012 appeared.
But that was not the engine number as on the V5C.
The end result is that the Vixen can be imported AFTER I CAN PROVE FROM WHAT CAR+NUMBERPLATE MY 40 YEAR OLD ENGINE IS COMING FROM?????
Reason why is that I may have stolen the engine???.
Looks impossible but I found a solution
.
So next appointment can be made with DVLA for the definitive approval.
Than I can enjoy driving it.
Wish me luck.
Hans
Took many months after finishing my Vixen due to busy DVLA and a canceled appointment.
In Holland there are only a restricted number of gorverment employees that can import a classic car, so a long waiting list of 8 weeks.
See my tiny car for his examination.
The employee didn't know anything of the TVR Vixen so I gave him some TVR books with the necessary info.
- first weighed the car
- took wheel base measurements (length and width)
- checked engine supports (are the original he asked)
- I pointed to the chassis number stamped in by one of the owners. That was alright for him.
- searched engine number as mentioned on the V5C document. I had never found that either so he left to his office.
Came back a little later and scratched on the right side, to the front of the engine just under the head and the number 0012 appeared.
But that was not the engine number as on the V5C.
The end result is that the Vixen can be imported AFTER I CAN PROVE FROM WHAT CAR+NUMBERPLATE MY 40 YEAR OLD ENGINE IS COMING FROM?????
Reason why is that I may have stolen the engine???.
Looks impossible but I found a solution
.So next appointment can be made with DVLA for the definitive approval.
Than I can enjoy driving it.
Wish me luck.
Hans
In Perth West Aust the licencing authorities wanted a chassis number stamped onto the rails but when I produced the workshop manual stating the riveted plate was all that the factory did they accepted this explanation & licenced the car.
Take as much paperwork as you can, this certainly was my case & it worked.
Take as much paperwork as you can, this certainly was my case & it worked.
Hansoplast said:
The end result is that the Vixen can be imported AFTER I CAN PROVE FROM WHAT CAR+NUMBERPLATE MY 40 YEAR OLD ENGINE IS COMING FROM?????
Reason why is that I may have stolen the engine???.
Looks impossible but I found a solution.
Hans
How did you manage that Hans? Many Vixens don't have the right engine number and some probably left the factory with it wrong! Reason why is that I may have stolen the engine???.
Looks impossible but I found a solution
.Hans
Hansoplast said:
Than I can enjoy driving it.
Wish me luck.
Hans
Hans,Wish me luck.
Hans
Good luck but is this not your car for sale ?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C749388
Moto
Yes it's my car that is for sale.
But I would like to drive it as a shake down before someone wants it. So have to import it to get number plates.
Problem with engine number can be solved with an note from seller engine + car/number plate.
And that is where I am after.
But still ????
Hans
But I would like to drive it as a shake down before someone wants it. So have to import it to get number plates.
Problem with engine number can be solved with an note from seller engine + car/number plate.
And that is where I am after.
But still ????
Hans
Had an appointment with DVLA last thursday.
Had the lights checked.
Gave them the Cortina ID, my engine came from. No further questions.
They checked the driving lights only.
10 minutes later I was out and had the approval.
Hans
Now wait for the paperwork.
Than I can buy the number plates and go for a MOT.
Very pleased.
(not with the pics on their side???)
Hans
Had the lights checked.
Gave them the Cortina ID, my engine came from. No further questions.
They checked the driving lights only.
10 minutes later I was out and had the approval.
Hans
Now wait for the paperwork.
Than I can buy the number plates and go for a MOT.
Very pleased.
(not with the pics on their side???)
Hans
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