The 'E' Type Forum

Evening, just joined the club , first post. Sorry if I've missed it elsewhere. On the verge of buying a Series 3 currently without Heritage cert... in hand. Want to check Vin plate vs Engine, chassis etc. Engine checks out but cant find out where to look for the others. Appreciate any assistance, photos in context would be great.
Kev

Kev

Have a look here, the first page of the Series 1 factory-fit on the Knowledge Base. All of this is of course related to Series 1 cars.

The factory fit page is generally very good for getting an idea of how a car should look.

Another good thing to use on the forum is the "search" button at the top.

viewtopic.php?t=2007

Kev has an S3 and data is in a different place. Main ID plate is top of scuttle behind the engine and is the shallow type used on the S2 cars. Engine number is at the top centre of the flange at the rear of the cylinder block mating up with the bell housing. Cars exported to the US had a windscreen plate and a compliance plate on the driver side door pillar.

Thanks for that. Yes I believe it may be different for S3. The Vin plate is indeed on the bulkhead just under the front windscreen and I couldnt see a chassis number on the brace between the shockers. Of course I guess it may be missing. I will try the search...
The array of pictures was helpful I will look for an S3 collection.
Kev

Series 3's dont have the chassis number on the picture frame, and its not a frame as the top bar is removeable.

I did read somewhere that theres a number on the sloping panel below the heater above where the passenger foot well is. I had the owner check but it just said '11F'...
Kev

correction '11R'

Dear Kev,

You need to open the bonnet and look in three places:-

1/ The engine number is stamped onto the block at the back of the main "V" behind the throttle tower. It ought to start with "7S" and end with two letters, those being either "HA", "HB", "LA" or "LB".

2/ The VIN is stamped onto the sloping bodywork under the heater box on the left hand side within the triangle that is the upper part of left hand engine frame. First line will read *ES3V12* and the second line is the VIN number. Contrary to what non-s3 owners assert, the VIN has never beeen stamped on the front of the cross frame by the shocks on a s3. It'll be hard to see and overpainted in with body colour paint but once you get your eye in, it should be perfectly readable.

3/ The long thin data plate is on the bulkhead . You'll see it if you raise the bonnet and look just to the left hand side of the car next to the bonnet catch.

There may also be two pop rivetted body tags which may have been lost during restorations and painting. One ought to be behind the LH A post black "hockey stick". The other ought to be behind the rear licence plate.

kind regards
Marek

Thanks marek. Engine checks but no sign of the chassis no.
Kev

Dear Kev,

If you want to send me a private message with your email address attached then I can send you a picture of where the VIN (chassis) number be.

kind regards
Marek