Griff / Chimaera, checking car is a genuine 500

[Pvapour]

is there a way of checking that a car was a 500 when it left the factory? is there a list somewhere stating chassis numbers and there engine variant when leaving the factory?

There is for Lancia Integrale as there are allot of non original copies of the evos, just wondering if the same is out there for the Chimaeras and Griffiths

[Mr MoJo]

Log book ?

eta, lovely looking Maserati you have there

Edited by Mr MoJo on Tuesday 2nd March 09:21

[GJR]

Pvapour, the link below takes you to an old topic that explains the VIN code. You can tell from the VIN code which engine was originally fitted.

old thread

[Pvapour]

cheers GJR

V5 is not always verification as you change the details if you change the engine

[spend]

You can never be sure what bit's folks have swapped out/in over the years... A dyno plot would at least give you some verification of what the engine is like if it is that important to you. If it is imperative you really have to wait until one of the cars that we know reasonably well comes up for sale, there are a few where the owners know exactly what is under the castings.

In case the power stakes are important to you, it's still a lot easier to buy one with 300bhp instead of paying to make it 300bhp IYSWIM.

[Pvapour]

its not imperitive power wise as I'll be dropping in a tuned lump at some point, just want to be sure that it was a 500 when it left the factory as this car will be with me for life shouldn't have got rid of the last one TBO

[Tavan]

GJR said:

Pvapour, the link below takes you to an old topic that explains the VIN code. You can tell from the VIN code which engine was originally fitted.

old thread

I may be wrong but that VIN explanation doesn't seem to tally. How would you decipher this for example:

SDLAA04R9XBxxxxx

[BJWoods]

Pvapour said:

is there a way of checking that a car was a 500 when it left the factory? is there a list somewhere stating chassis numbers and there engine variant when leaving the factory?

There is for Lancia Integrale as there are allot of non original copies of the evos, just wondering if the same is out there for the Chimaeras and Griffiths

Griffith should be easy.. ie stopped making 4.0/4.3 in 92...
started building 500's in 93..

Some specials/one off, maybe some built registered in 93...

But basically any griff (unmodified) newer than 1994 is a 500.

[Pvapour]

having read through the details, like tavman, I'm a little confused as to the origins of this 5.0

Its chassis details are: SDLBA04ROWB002XXX

Given the info in the other thread, that makes this originally a 4.0 no? but the reference to CC doesn't stack either as my letters are BA? what on earth does that refer to?

meant to be picking car up in 3hours and on train at the moment so would love some input if someones got some definitive advice

engine number: 37A50S6735

Hoping someone can help!!

[Simon Says]

Try down the bottom under miscellaneous engines her http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/content--name-Rover-V8...

[Pvapour]

Simon Says said:

Try down the bottom under miscellaneous engines her http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/content--name-Rover-V8...

thanks Simon

Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 7th March 18:38

[V8isa]

The 50 in the engine number I think indicates 5.0 litres

[Andy JB]

V8isa said:

The 50 in the engine number I think indicates 5.0 litres

Correcta mundo - check stamp on front chassis rail near coolant reservoir /fans accessed under bonnet