Very sorry for your loss Jemal.

I know exactly what you are going through.

Sorry to hear that, Jamal.

Thanks for the post. 

Thanks guys... Sorry I had to leave yesterday right after posting to perform a very sad duty for a close friend.  You may know that I'm a 'dog person'... I've brought my dogs to work over the last 15 years or so, and all of them have lived well into their teens.  We lost a long time faithful Irish Terrier that I had been caring for over the holidays as she neared the end of her life. As hard as we try, we can't make them young again, so yesterday was her last, and I buried her with three other dogs who have shared our lives....  more than 60 years of combined dog life spans!

I think I'll put my 'explanation' of how and why 'revins' happen up on the "Classic Mini Blog", where I hope to do several posts a week about all sorts of Mini and related subjects.  Feel free to send me suggestions for topics,  I'll probably do at lest one "post of the week" from the forum, as  the most current and relevant topics end up here! 

The photo shows where to find my Blog from the screen you are on right now with just one click.... Hover over "Home" and click right where I show my pointer!

Jemal,

Thanks for the write-up. Very helpful. I will investigate further! 

Best summary of the re-vin issue I've read—including your last paragraph re: MM's intrest in the issue. Anyone new to classic Minis would be well advised to be directed to read this post, sooner rather than later. Thanks.

Well explained and tastefully put Jemal.

You really must be careful on a public forum, and if you really did buy the car, not to be too specific.... that's why some answers seem to beat around the bush.

Hypothetically speaking... Most Minis look the about the same for 42 years of production. At least to the average person. When an oppressive set of government rules exists to keep people from easily having the classic mini they want, there is great incentive to make cars seem OLDER so they can slip under customs import rules.  It is rumored that some people in countries where the cars are plentiful and unloved will replace the VIN plate with one from an older car, so that the "old" car can be taken to and sold in America, where there are lots of willing buyers.  It gets in because the particular customs inspector is NOT a Mini expert, and can't tell that the car and it's paperwork did not start out in life together.  It is even rumored that certain unscrupulous AMERICANS and/or CANADIANS have taken part in this practice over the decades, contributing to my opinion that more than half the Classic Minis in the US are such "revins".

Think about it.... changing the car's identifying serial numbers is what car thieves might do so that the stolen car is not "found" right away when the "new owner" goes to register it.  Our government then has strong incentive to DISCOURAGE the willy-nilly changing of Vehicle Identification Numbers, to the extent that a suspected stolen or 'altered' car can be confiscated and crushed as a way to protect public safety from these evil little cars.  If you don't want to be the unfortunate owner made an example of in this way, you will not draw undue attention to the possible fact of you cars identity crisis!!

Our only dog in this fight is to be able to provide you the right parts!  You will NOT be happy if you get all the WRONG parts for your "73". Furthermore,  you will think that WE are idiots for doing so!   We are supposed to be the experts.... why did we send you all the wrong parts?  In MOST cases, it is because you unknowingly have the wrong CAR!

Just look up re vin on this site there are plenty of threads on it.

I talked to him and narrowed it to 86-92 with a body kit.  Might be a VTEC candidate with that whopping 20 horsepower 998 trying to push those big wheels....

Mousy

Once again there is no info in your profile. I'm located in Hampton, VA. I have a semi retired body shop guy who loves doing mini rust and body work. I also have a fair collection of disc brake options. I have 998 7" calipers , 7.5" S calipers as well as std 8.4" calipers and vented 8.4" with alloy 4 piston calipers. We can get you stopped. Steve (CTR)

Probably not a '73, though the chassis plate will tell you that it is...

Obviously not a 73.

The vin will corectly tell the year...I'm guessing 84> 

If you look in here there are all kinds of articles on indentifying Minis from general characteristics and VINs.

//www.minimania.com/articlelist/MINI/Technical%20Information/General

From your picture it could well be a 73 with an after market body kit on it.

You'll find many helpful people here but ignore a guy named Triggerboy.

Ok, so I know this may sound crazy...but I bought what I think is a 1973 Austin Mini 1000cc. I just need some expert help around the details of the car. Any info would help.

Plan:

Need floor pans (4"x4") holes in the floor boards in line with the door handles. Anyone done this fix?

Needs tires (no idea what to buy...just need an all around good driver...not slicks)

Needs front brakes...help?

I am a member of some forums, and it can be annoying to have someone that is such a newbie, but I'm hoping some have a little mercy on me and let me know what I'm up against. 

Thanks!