chassis numbers

[andymadmak]

Anybody out there know how to decipher TVR chassis numbers?
My 91 400se has a number nothing like the earlier wedge codes I have seen!
It was delivered new from the factory in May 91 to customer order ( I have a copy of the original) so it might be one of the last ones. Not that that bothers me too much, it's just I was trying to work out how many 400se's were actually built, but no one I have asked around here seems to know. I have heard as few as 70, as many as 280!
My number goes SDLD 6N4P8MC011***.('spose I ought to keep the last 3 digits confidential on a public site)
Anybody clue me in?
Cheers
Andy, 400se

[jmorgan]

Look for 7 sept under production number. I had a simular question.

[seamus]

Andy,

First 3 letters are for TVR
D = drophead
Next 2 characters are type - ie SE
Next number is model - ie 4 = 400
P = petrol
Next number is random security number
Next letter is the build year (A=1980 B = 1981 and so on - i is not used) - build years started in September for the October Motorshow apparently - so you can have a 1990 registered car on a 1991 build year.
Next letter is the build month (A=Jan B=Feb and so on - i is not used)
Next 3 numbers are believed to be standard/random of no significance..
Final 3 numbers shows the car number - ie 14th car built from the 1991 build year.

Cheers
Seamus

[andymadmak]

Thanks Seamus! That clears it up nicely.
Don't suppose you know how many 400's we built overall do you?
Cheers
Andy

[seamus]

There was allegedly 242 built in total but how accurate that figure is I really couldn't say, as for how many each year even less of a clue.
Cheers

[jmorgan]

Steve's bible might have the answers, I can't find it at the moment.

[streaky]

seamus said:

Andy, First 3 letters are for TVR D = drophead Next 2 characters are type - ie SE Next number is model - ie 4 = 400 P = petrol Next number is random security number Next letter is the build year (A=1980 B = 1981 and so on - i is not used) - build years started in September for the October Motorshow apparently - so you can have a 1990 registered car on a 1991 build year. Next letter is the build month (A=Jan B=Feb and so on - i is not used) Next 3 numbers are believed to be standard/random of no significance.. Final 3 numbers shows the car number - ie 14th car built from the 1991 build year. Cheers Seamus

So how does DH5959RI (my 390SE) fit in? It's Feb'85, so pre-VIN plate. Is the code above for VIN plates only?

[Terminator]

streaky said:

Is the code above for VIN plates only?

Yes, it is. Your chassis number means: DH (Drop Head) 5959th recorded TVR built since Martin Lilley bought TVR in 1965, RI mean Rover Injection.

[wedg1e]

Terminator said:

streaky said: Is the code above for VIN plates only? Yes, it is. Your chassis number means: DH (Drop Head) 5959th recorded TVR built since Martin Lilley bought TVR in 1965, RI mean Rover Injection.

You sure? I always understood that the first '5' was to signify the Tasmin range... so it's actually the 959th wedge built...
Otherwise, it's a hell of a coincidence that they'd built 4999 cars just as the Tasmin was introduced (I've seen 5010 and used to own 5036 - registered May 1980). 5014 was 'owned' by Peter Wheeler IIRC.

Ian

[Terminator]

wedg1e said:

You sure? Ian

Well, I'd never admit to being wrong, but you're quite correct Ian.

Last M-chassis was around 4974. I know Graham Robson quotes 4968 but there were at least 6 made after that, that I know of.

First Tasmin chassis was FH5001FI which I understand was Martin Lilley's prototype. I had an early one as well, a right dog! The 2 280i convertibles I had were better, although one being an ex-factory press car, had been seriously abused. Then I had the 6th production 350i, another dog which constantly overheated. Now you know why I kept my 3000S

[firefox1712]

seamus said:

Andy, First 3 letters are for TVR D = drophead Next 2 characters are type - ie SE Next number is model - ie 4 = 400 P = petrol Next number is random security number Next letter is the build year (A=1980 B = 1981 and so on - i is not used) - build years started in September for the October Motorshow apparently - so you can have a 1990 registered car on a 1991 build year. Next letter is the build month (A=Jan B=Feb and so on - i is not used) Next 3 numbers are believed to be standard/random of no significance.. Final 3 numbers shows the car number - ie 14th car built from the 1991 build year. Cheers If the build year starts in September the previous year then the next A,B,C, etc would have to count from September surely and not January. que? firefox Seamus

[19560]

If the letter after the year letter is the build month letter then it doesn't have to start with A at any perticular month. What letter does everyone have on their chassis plate? I have a B, firefox has a B, Broadside has a B, anybody not got a B?

[firefox1712]

so could it be that there is no number or letter to designate build month for 350/390 series cars chassis numbers - 400 series chassis numbers seem to follow a different format? Or have I got it all wrong? Maybe someone can show the different formats of chassis numbers and give us a guide to interpreting them?