How do I tell a genuine Sapphire Cosworth shell?

[SambaS]

How do I tell a genuine Sapphire Cosworth shell apart from a standard Sierra shell?

Any extra numbers stamped anywhere, or will the chassis number start with a specific number or anything?

I'm planning to build one from the ground up but it must be a genuine shell.

Thanks.

[4key]

The 2wd ones are just ghia shells iirc, the 4wd ones had extra strengthening up front though. Would have thought that a friendly ford dealer could tell you for definate what a shell was from the vin numbers though, unless theres a bit of welding around that area

Eta, i think they have to have the automatic tunnel to fit the box in too.

As said, passionfruit is your best bet for info though.

Edited by 4key on Tuesday 16th October 12:38

[RWD cossie wil]

Get over to passionford.com, lots of useful info & buyers guides on there. They are identified by the chassis numbers specifically as genuine Cosworth, the chassis numbers should be raised like Braille, not stamped in.

Make sure you HPI it.

[s m]

SambaS said:

Any extra numbers stamped anywhere, or will the chassis number start with a specific number or anything?

Thanks.

The Vin should have the BFGC prefix on

[J4CKO]

Lots of rust and many shaven headed geysers in RS puffer jackets outbidding you.

[LuS1fer]

You should tell it in a soft voice so you don't frighten it.

[AbarthChris]

LuS1fer said:

You should tell it in a soft voice so you don't frighten it.

hehehehehehe

[Porkie]

J4CKO said:

Lots of rust and many shaven headed geysers in RS puffer jackets outbidding you.

LOL

[Robmarriott]

s m said:

The Vin should have the BFGC prefix on

You sure about that?

I've just tried every sapphire cosworth I can find on the Internet on our vrm lookup at work and first of all, they all start WF0F, the bit which you reference is BFxx, xx being the build date, with BF being the model of car (simply, Sierra 4 door saloon)

Edited by Robmarriott on Tuesday 16th October 13:03

[Robmarriott]

The vin code will be

WF0FXXGBBF then a year code, then a month code, the a 5 digit serial number.

The letter after the F will be a JKLMN or P.

[LooneyTunes]

Robmarriott said:

s m said:

The Vin should have the BFGC prefix on

You sure about that?

I've just tried every sapphire cosworth I can find on the Internet on our vrm lookup at work and first of all, they all start WF0F, the bit which you reference is BFxx, xx being the build date, with BF being the model of car (simply, Sierra)

Google "ford cosworth workshop manual" and you'll probably find a pdf out there...

Seem to recall there's a VIN breakdown section near the front.

[s m]

Robmarriott said:

s m said:

The Vin should have the BFGC prefix on

You sure about that?

I've just tried every sapphire cosworth I can find on the Internet on our vrm lookup at work and first of all, they all start WF0F, the bit which you reference is BFxx, xx being the build date, with BF being the model of car (simply, Sierra 4 door saloon)

Yes, I'm sure, the type stamp should be BFGC for a Sapphire Cosworth

[Robmarriott]

See, I think BFGC only applies to 3 doors, as year letter 'G' is 1986

[s m]

Robmarriott said:

See, I think BFGC only applies to 3 doors, as year letter 'G' is 1986

You're looking at the ID string, not the type stamp

[Robmarriott]

Ah, I'm with you. So if the vin plate is missing and only the chassis number in on the floorpan, how do you tell?

[s m]

Robmarriott said:

Ah, I'm with you. So if the vin plate is missing and only the chassis number in on the floorpan, how do you tell?

I'd be wary if the plate was missing and you'd have to check to see what it was registered as originally. You could eliminate some shells on the spot by build date though

[RWD cossie wil]

Don't take a punt on a dodgy shell, plenty of good ones with proper history out there.