Martin  does Idaho.. NOT do State vin numbers?? we can do here  with  title bond.. cost is about $100 extra.. and they have to take back to DMV lic and theft and they install for you.. in pubic locations and hidden one. ( usually under the dash.. PHD.

Hi Martin, have you looked carefully at the gutter at the rear of the bonnet?? Sometimes numbers (if they exist) will be more obvious when viewed from the underside of the gutter (using a mirror) - (On sedans anyway). The top side of the numbers are usually not obvious as they fill with paint.

Or maybe check the triangular reinforcing panels at the rear of the engine bay.

If you can find these, they are the actual car/chassis number and can be used to get a Heritage Cert - as can the body number if the little tag is still there (and also fills with paint).

Cheers, Ian

Hi Ian, 1971 not 1975, one of the previous owners had repairs done by an English company in 1978 (MINI MACHINE of Darlington UK) and the invoice is for a 1971 Mini Pick-Up. It was delivered to Roache Engineering of Romsey UK.
The bill of sale that I received when purchasing it calls it 1971.

Hi Martin, I suppose you could call it a build number .... of sorts.

Its usually referred to as the FE number. I kinda doubt that non UK built cars would carry this number..

UK Mini shells were built up from sub assemblies produced in different buildings/factories. The “front ends” (hence FE number), comprising the firewall with windscreen surround, inner and outer guards and front panel, were made up in one building (and marked with the FE plate) and shipped to another building where the rest of the car was built up. Early floors probably were done similarly as they have “F” plates... The factory probably used the numbers for stock control but there’s no sign that these records were retained.

As Bill says, there do not appear to be any (official) records of these numbers. Private data bases have been built by several enthusiasts that allow this number to be used to roughly date a shell. To me this suggests that the numbers are unique and so probably safe to use as a VIN.

Your car would also have had a Body Number stamped on a small plate welded to the bonnet slam panel and a car or chassis number (this is usually referred to as the VIN) reverse stamped on a plate screwed to the radiator shroud. Both these numbers would appear on a Heritage Certificate (although by 75 the records are pretty patchy - if they exist at all). (BTW ... interested as to why do you think its a 75?)

Cheers, Ian

A Portugal build would be LHD.

Thanks PHD,
The reason I asked is that Boise (Idaho) DMV needed a number to use as the VIN and the only one they could find was this!
This is a 1975 Pick-up as far as I am aware, and also RHD, so it probably was a S. Africa, UK or Portugal build.
Guess I have a build number as a VIN!

Martin. this was the build number. I do NOT think BMHT recorded these.. as they are NOT on the British heritage  Certs..  I asked Richard B at Archives about this. in past. and this is what he told. me..

My 75 Mini pick-up has a number in the radiator area, I'm wondering what it refers to.
Thanks in advance
Sir