Aussie Bug in UK

Hi, My daughter's going to see a Beetle on Saturday with a view to buying it. It's in excellent condition but we're having problems trying to work out how old it is. It was imported to the UK from Australia in 1971 but is obviously older. I've looked at the online history of the Beetle in Australia and worked out that it would have been built before 1964 because of the shape of the number plate light, narrow side windows etc, but when I did an insurance quote the car showed up as being a 1969 1300 Auto. I believe that all Automatics were imported whole and not built in Australia so, if this is true, the car should have different headlights, boot, desk lid, windscreen and side windows. I'm at a loss and would like to have at least a rough idea of the age of the car before my daughter hands over her money. Can anyone help please?
Thanks, Clive

If you can give us the first 3 digits of the vin we can soon tell you what it is

Bugs built here between 65 and 67 still had the small windows and also had Aus only chassis numbers which seems to confuse alot of people

its got the popes nose decklid but later front gaurds with the wider front indicators and no running board pressings, no wolfsburg crest and looks like it once had the earlier visors so I'd say its 64-66 but parts are so easy swapped especially after nearly 50 years

Thanks for that, much appreciated. I'll ask the owner for the three digits when I speak to him on Wednesday. In the meantime, do you think it's fairly safe to assume the car was built before 1969? Another thing that's thrown me is that the wipers park to the right which I believe is pre 1968. I know that the car's been restored at some point so that might account for the wider front guards. It's all very confusing!

Yeah, basically as Joel has said... get the first 3 digits of chassis number and we can be definite as to what year it is.

From the pics it's DEFINITELY pre 68.... at a guess I'd say 65, but it's mainly the deck lid that's making me think that way.

Thanks for the quick replies, they're very helpful. I'll post the three digits as soon as I get them.

If it was a stock aussie 69' stickshift... it would have a 1500sp engine, rear diagonal trailing arm suspension (as opposed to earlier swing axle) and ball joint front end (as opposed to king and link).

Aussie's never got a 1300 auto in 1969. only 1500. and a 69' 1500 semi auto does not have a swan neck mirror like that, nor the early style guards, towel rail bumpers (like said, panels can be swapped though). if its a 1500 1969 australian model, it will have front windscreen demisters on the inside too on the dash, will have front disk brakes (if stickshift auto) and will have 4 stud wheels.

again though, the fella could have redrilled hubs or drums to be 5 stud, and if was really keen on that early look, filled in or grafted over the interior demister vents in the dash. But thats just a few things to keep an eye out for.

That number plate light finished in '62, the body and guards finished in '67 in Oz. Maybe a later pan (chassis) as it has small 5 stud wheels which are a modification but often based on a ball joint/disc setup (68>).

Sound like a Sport-o-matic box and pan (68-70) and an early body, see if u can find the body number behind the spare wheel, and a pic of the dash (grab handle or not) there will be other tell tail signs such as many components on the beetle will have a VW symbol and two Kangaroos on either side.
Good luck.

Its essy to tell how old it is its HERBIE so its a 63 model 🙂

Looks like it has cookie cutters or fuchs on it??

They never said it was an auto (semi)

My 2c is it is a converted 69 pan - probably a manual, IRS and discs with early body

Yep, second look reveals ...definately Fuchs

VDU.88A wrote:Its essy to tell how old it is its HERBIE so its a 63 model 🙂

Now why didn't I think of that???

I'm really pleased with the help given here guys, it's really appreciated. I'll get the VIN and body numbers on Wednesday and see where we go from there. The car's too far away to view in a day which is why we can't go before the weekend. The seller owns a restoration business specializing in VW's and this is his own car so I guess it's possible anything could have been done, but I'm hoping it's not an older body on a newer chassis as that would take the shine off it somehow. Having said that, being his own car I should imagine everything would have been done properly. The car's been fitted with a 1600cc engine which I'm happy about. I find it hard to believe that it's a 1969 model imported in 1971 because I don't see the point of importing a two year old car as it would have been cheaper to have bought one over here.
My daughter's really keen as she's always wanted an air-cooled bug and the condition of this one from the seller sounds perfect for what she wants. She drives a new Beetle as an everyday car so the Bug would be pampered and kept for sunny drives. She's looking at making the Bug a keeper so I want ensure (as much as I can) that she has a genuine car (I don't mind alterations like engine, seats, wheels etc) but I'm not sure if a complete body swop would be a wise buy. I don't know if that would affect resale value but I don't want her to buy a car that might be difficult to sell later on if her circumstances change. Yes, the wheels are genuine Fuschs (although not original to the car).

Here's a pic of the dash:

the body is definatley before 67 and I very much doubt its sitting on a later floor pan seeing as it has early pedals, gearstick, handbrake and cant quite see but i bet its got the heater knob next to the gearstick which will confirm its a 6 volt pan

I'm bowled over by your knowledge guys - and thankful for it!

The guessing game continues 👍

look like stock high back VW seats (post 68??)
Can you put those on early pre 67 tracks??

designergraphics wrote:I'm bowled over by your knowledge guys - and thankful for it!

meh........... just sad buggers 😂

Body is definitly between 62.5 and 67, 68 is a different shape alltogether (windows, guards, both valences F&R and dash) it also looks like the FUCH's are 16's

Bizarre wrote:

designergraphics wrote:I'm bowled over by your knowledge guys - and thankful for it!

meh........... just sad buggers 😂

😂 I keep Koi Carp and believe me, you won't meet anyone more anal retentive than a Koi keeper. Body shape, colour, pattern - I could go on forever! 😂

Bizarre wrote:The guessing game continues 👍

look like stock high back VW seats (post 68??)
Can you put those on early pre 67 tracks??

Yes, they're high back seats. Would be interested to know if they can be fitted to early tracks. Car's also fitted with seat belts front and rear.

Definitely not a semi-auto either.
Because it has a clutch pedal and a normal gearstick.



Smiley 😎

I'd love to look at this car in person as it's a real 'bitza' - bitza this and bitza that.

I agree with Joel about the floorpan, it's definitely a 6-volt one (ie. 1967 and earlier for Australian-made Beetles). Early gearstick, handbrake and pedals, no heater levers. We'll have to wait unitl we know what the chassis number is before we can pin it down exactly. Don't forget that the first 3 digits only tell you the year model after 1965, so we'd need to know the whole character string to be sure.

As for the body, Aussie Beetles used the same body shell stampings from 1958 to early 1968 (whereas Euro Beetles got bigger windows in 1965). So this one is 1967 or earlier straight away, just from the window shapes. Mudguards and bonnets only tell the story if they are original - and after 45+ years, who knows. But yes as Joel has said, this one has a 1963 and earlier engine lid, and 1964-67 front bonnet and mudguards. From the dash, I noticed that the front bonnet pull is on the right-hand side - that was one of the first things the Australian factory changed, from 1961-on I think. Also the door and side trims are all one colour - this was a feature of the Aussie '67s. Of course they may not be original - a previous owner might have fitted '68 and later black trim along with the high-back seats. One other thing - it looks like the fuel gauge is electric (Australian) as the level is reading left off the scale with the ignition off. Euro Beetle fuel gauges of this vintage were mechanical and read the level all the time, ignition off or on.

Here's some things to check, or ask the owner to look at:

* What is the small manufacturer's stamp on each of the windows? Hopefully they are the original ones and will tell whether they are Australian or not
* Take out the spare tyre and look at the manufacturers plate rivited to the body just below the washer bottle. Does it say Volkswagen Australasia? Does the chassis number here match the real chassis number, stamped on the tunnel underneath the back seat?
* Is there a date stamp pressed into the spare wheel centre, in between the wheel bolt holes? You might also see the VW Australasia logo, featuring two kangaroos
* Is there a date stamp on the back of the speedo (open the bonnet and remove the cardboard wiring cover to see). If so what is it?
* You might also see date stamps on the underside of the chrome front blinker covers - unscrew and remove to see. But chances are they won't be original after all these years.

The high-back seats are interesting. These weren't fitted to Aussie Beetles until the CKD-assembled big window 12V 1968 model onwards, and they don't fit 6-volt runners unless the 6-volt bottoms are welded to the seat frames. I'd also like to know what was done to fit those wheels to 6-volt drums - possibly adaptors as they seem to widen the track a bit.

Door handles and window winder shown is also pre-68

Phil74Camper wrote:The high-back seats are interesting. These weren't fitted to Aussie Beetles until the CKD-assembled big window 12V 1968 model onwards, and they don't fit 6-volt runners unless the 6-volt bottoms are welded to the seat frames. I'd also like to know what was done to fit those wheels to 6-volt drums - possibly adaptors as they seem to widen the track a bit.

The 72-74 T-rail highbacks will slide onto the pre 70 L-rails
I've done that one before but its not a safe install, gives a granny rocking chair type experience

infact a mates 70 bug has just been busted for that exact thing so if anyone around here has some low back seats give me or adam a yell

That's something well worth looking at Joel. I'll make sure the runners have been welded as has been mentioned, if not I'll ensure it's done or I'll change the seats. I don't want the car to stop but my daughter continue going!

Phil74Camper wrote:I'd love to look at this car in person as it's a real 'bitza' - bitza this and bitza that.

I'd love that too - can you meet on the Isle of Wight in the UK at 10.0am on Saturday morning? 🤪
Thanks for the detailed list of where to find everything, makes things much easier. I passed the list on to the owner this morning and he said he'll get back to me later with all the info. I'll post it here as soon as he does. Can't wait to find out exactly what it is!

Just phoned the owner again - I won't be getting the numbers until tomorrow morning now so the waiting continues. Arrggh!
He did assure me that the chassis isn't a '69 though so that's good news.

Some good news and some bad ....
Heard back from the seller this morning and he's given me the chassis number which is: 113080221
Unfortunately the plate behind the spare wheel is missing, just a rusty square.
Also, there's no kangaroos on the glass, just a 'VWA' stamp.
He still has the original wheels that came with the car when he bought it and they're stamped 5-65, but the spare wheel is stamped either ROKVW91 or ROKVW16, he wasn't sure.
He also said that the front indicators were put on a later date because they're a little bit off-centre. Of course, I suppose this could just be because new wings might have been fitted.

I hope someone can identify the chassis number. Not only would it be nice to give the car it's 'identity', but I'm trying to get insurance cover and everyone wants to know the year of manufacture before they'll quote.

Just one other thing; It's been mentioned that '63 wings and bonnets are different to '64 and later. I've looked hard at photos of both but just can't see it. Can someone explain please?
Thanks again, Clive

july - aug 64

Also look at the speedo just under the indicator light and above the branding VDO see if "Australia" is written.

Hi

The indicators on earlier bugs were skinny and sat forward on the wing/fender/mudguard/guard. In 64 I think they went to wider one which was used on 12 volts bugs as well, the indicator body was moved slightly backwards on the wing/fender/mudguard/guard.

Steve

Thanks guys, that's a brilliant result and can't thank you enough! I'm delighted now we've got the actual age of the car - plus I'll be able to insure it! I had a chat with the owner earlier and it turns out he bought the car as it is and hasn't done any restoration himself. I assumed that because he owns a restoration company and the car is his own daily drive he'd have done the work himself but he assures me that the car is very solid, no welding required and that the engine is a beaut so we're looking forward to seeing it on Saturday. Unless we find something wrong it's a given that my daughter will buy it. I'll let you know how we get on and will post some better photos when we get back on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to the opportunity of checking all the other little details you told me to look for - in fact I'm looking forward to her buying the car as much as she is!

I agree with the wheels, 5/65 seems about right.

But that chassis number doesn't make sense to me. 113080221 ?

A 1964 model should have a chassis number between 5677119 and 6502399. The new mmy nnnnnn numbering system came in for 1965, so a 1965 model should be 115 nnnnnn. However yours - beginning 113 - indicates a 1973 model. And we know your floorpan is not a '73.

Are you sure the third digit isn't a 5?

Arghhh - just I thought it was sorted! The seller definitely told me it was 113 but he could well be wrong. I guess I won't know until I see the car on Saturday when I'll be able to check for myself. I'm hoping that it is a 5 even if it does make the car a year younger because at least I'll know what we're getting. Does the 5/65 on the wheels mean they're 1965? I'll remember to check for 'Australia' on the speedo. It says it's a VW 1300 (1285) on the registration document but that's nothing to go by because they weren't so fussy about detail in 1971 when the car was registered here. It even received a registration that was current for1971 which is something that doesn't happen now. These days an imported car is given an age related registration no.

My guess is that its an early body aprox 65 -66 with a 71 pan.

I'm english and one thing you have to understand is a lot old vw cars which were restoed in the past were made up of parts of other MOT (rego) failiers at least once in some cases twice or now three times each time getting a new paint job. So don't count what "should be" unless you have a real feeling that the car is factory original.

The pics show its English rego plate ending in a "k" this is telling you is a 71 model car obviouley with an earlier body everything else is bolt on and could and would of been changed to suite looks or wallet at the time.

Cheers Nick

Ask him where he's pulled that number from cos technically that # wont exist

As Phil said the new 9 digit numbering came in with the start of the 65 model run (aug 64) and started at 115 except aus made bugs wer 19x

its possible its a typo and could be 115 to 117 but that means its not an aussie made bug

it wont be a 73 pan either the chassis numbers went to 10 digit with the new decade in 70

But i can assure you one thing, its definately sitting on a pre 67 floorpan

I think we are making progress, even if there is still a smidgen of uncertainty!

Yes the wheel stamp 5/65 means May 1965. If they were the original wheels, that's (roughly) when the car was made. From the photos, it looks like a Aussie 1965 body too so I am convinced that is what it was originally. Australian 1965 models still had 1200 40-hp engines originally - the 1300 didn't come in until 1966. The only significant difference between Aussie '64s and '65s was the front and back seats. The '65's front seat backs were curved at the top, rather than flat-topped like the '64's. The '65 back seat was slightly differently shaped and was designed to make a completely flat area when folded forward. Earlier ones didn't fold completely flat. Of course, this Beetle doesn't seem to have the original seats...

Hi Nick, yes rebuilding VWs with different parts from different years is part of the game, and establishing what is what is all part of the fun! Especially when VWs from different factories around the world were different in many ways. I agree that the body is a '65, but as Joel says, the floorpan is NOT a '71. It's a pre-'67, as you can tell by the shape of the handbrake, gearstick and pedals. It's only the quoted chassis number starting 113 that has thrown us - for all we know it might have that number on the rego papers, but the number stamped on the tunnel might be totally different.

I'm sure it has UK 'K' rego, as that's when it was imported to the UK, as was mentioned earlier. It would have had Australian rego before that - if in NSW, probably starting with D or E.

I was going on what the samba.com had. 113 would indicate a 73 pan? be interested to see if its a balljoint car

Well I'm leaving in an hour's time in a state of total confusion. Staying overnight and viewing the car tomorrow morning at 11.00. I'm really hoping he made an error with the chassis no, I'm guessing he took it from the reg documents rather than removing the back seat - but I'll be removing the seat! I'd see samba.com as well empi and was thrown by the '73 date. I'm feeling that it can't be a '73 because it would be recorded as a '73 not a '71. The owner said it's definitely earlier than '71 so I'm inclined to go along with you guys who believe it's an early floorpan. Although it's registered with a 'K' plate, that's because it was imported in '71 and has nothing to do with the car's actual age. An uncle of mine brought a BMW back with him when he moved back from Germany in '74. Although the car was a '69 model it was given an 'N' reg no ('74) which was the current plate for the year it was imported. Things are different now and imported cars receive an age related plate. Thanks again for all your input, it's been an invaluable help to me - even if I still don't know what year it is!! 😂
I'll give you an update when I get back.
Cheers, Clive

A quick update - just phoned the insurance company for an amended quote for a 1600cc because they originally quoted for a 1300cc and it came back at £126 fully comp - which is £6 cheaper than a 1300cc! I'm not complaining!

Take a photo of the front bean and the shock towers.😀

empi wrote:Take a photo of the front bean 😀

Empi

There is no way i am taking a pic of your front bean

😘

🙅🤪 HAHAHAHAHAHA LATE NIGHT TYPO

Well my daughter bought the car and, 200 miles and three breakdowns later, we're home!
My son's friend is a keen VW fan and has restored a few over the past years and he had a good look over the car this afternoon and confirmed that the body is indeed pre '67 Australian built (although the engine lid is earlier, as was pointed out earlier in the thread), which is backs up what you guys have said and Phil74Camper confirmed from the date on the wheels. It has an early front beam and all the running gear looks original to that period. The floor is original and solid, as are the heater channels. The oddity is that the stamp underneath the rear seat is a 10 figure number, 1113080221 making it '71. He doesn't see how this fits with the rest of the car and the pedals, heater control etc don't match those of a '71, something you guys also said - but maybe Mr Bubble Head is right! Adapters were used to fit the Fuschs alloys. The good news is that the car is very solid and original and doesn't need any work so my daughter will run it for two years, saving like mad in the meantime so that she'll be able to take it off the road and have it totally stripped and restored. There are a few minor mechanical things that will need doing straight away so she's making arrangements to have these done: new exhaust, petrol gauge doesn't work, heater doesn't work, small oil leak needs sorting and the rubber gasket that runs along the engine bay is missing. Other than that everything looks good.
Fifteen minutes after picking up the car we stopped for petrol and it wouldn't start again. The AA breakdown guy said there was a loose connection on the starter motor and a possible fault with the immobiliser. He tightened the connection and sent us on our way. Things went well until it was time to get off the ferry and the car wouldn't start again. After a bump start courtesy of the crew we were on our way again. Another petrol stop later and the car refused to start again. A second AA guy said the problem was with the immobiliser and bypassed the connection to the starter motor. The engine fired up straight away and the problem hasn't reoccurred since. It's amazing the amount of attention the car's received - mainly because it's 'Herbie'. My daughter was asked to give some children a ride on the camp site we stayed at (she was even offered money to do so but was glad to do it F.O.C.) and no end of people have waved and drivers tooted their horns.
Thanks again for all you help and input. It made the research much more interesting and fun and gave me loads of things to look out for.
Here's a few photos of the memorable journey home - I guess Herbie just didn't want to leave the Island:


Collecting Herbie.


First Breakdown


Ferry home - didn't catch the crew pushing unfortunately!


Second Breakdown

Hi

It looks like its going to be in safe hands, congratulations.

Does it have a king & link pin front end?

Steve

I'll check on that tomorrow Steve. It will be in good hands - it's been pampered already. It's now sharing our only garage space with my son's 993 so my car's got to jostle for space on the drive alongside my son's Golf and my daughter's 'new shape' Beetle. I'm not looking forward to having to scrape frost off the windscreen in winter!

Glad you got the car, and glad to help!

Can you also take a photo of:

* The number stamped onto the tunnel? The pan is NOT a '71, we know that from the handbrake, gear stick, heater control and pedals, so the number is a furphy. I'm wondering if the chassis number is actually 3080221 - making it early-mid 1960 - and someone has manually added a 111 to the beginning? I suspect that if the chassis needed replacing many years ago, the manufacturing plate on the body at the front might have been conveniently 'lost' (we know yours is missing).

* The back of the speedo - it ought to have the date stamped on it somewhere

* Also look under the front blinker chrome covers - remove the single Phillips screw and lift them off. They usually have a date stamp underneath. You may well still have the original guards.

One thing to remember - when you buy replacement parts when you restore it, DON'T order 1965 parts. Australian 1965 VWs are not like Euro/UK/US 1965s. Buy 1963/64 parts and you'll be fine.

If it is someone has done some major major surgery to make it into an early pan then

but i find it hard to beleive unless its had a pan swap since being in the UK that it would have been put on what would have been an almost brand new bugs floor pan in aus

but anyway if its all legal now who cares

Thanks for the tip on ordering 1963/64 parts - I'd have ordered '65. I can confirm that it does have a king & link pin front end but can't take photographs or check anything else because the car's in a garage having an exhaust fitted - £250.00, ouch!! It was due back today but the chrome tailpipes didn't arrive so we'll pick it up tomorrow. The good news is that three people (including the VW aircooled specialist that's doing the exhaust) have said it's in excellent structural condition so we won't have to worry about any body work for the next couple of years and we can just concentrate on cosmetic work and making sure the mechanics / brakes are tip top. It's going in for a full check-up in two weeks time so I'm hoping there'll be no nasty surprises. I'll give the other info and post a photo of the chassis number as soon as I can. As Joel said, it's legal, which is the important thing - but I'd still like to get to the bottom of it!

Glad it all worked out for you well done on scoring a solid early beetle. One tip I recomend is what I always replace on any old vw is get the fuel pump diaphram replaced it'll cost you unde £20 for the parts and will save you an AA call out when the fuel pump packs up. The diaphram could be as old as the car itself

Enjoy !!!!

Thanks Mr Bubble Head, I'll make sure it's changed when it gets a mechanical check and service. I've posted a photo of the chassis number (sorry it's so large) along with a photo of the speedo (showing the Australia stamp). I've also posted some photos of the sunvisor holes as the visors are missing and will need to be replaced. Would these be pre 64 (Euro date) visors? I've also checked the date on the back of the speedo and it's 11 - 66 (Nov '66?). It's also got the numbers 111957023E and W.08.
The car's sounding much better with the new exhaust fitted and looks better after a good polish today. Managed to get some brand new replacement door cards at a bargain price (good old eBay) and might be able to get some new headlamps. There's a VW show locally next month so we'll be taking the car, along with a shopping list. Hopefully my daughter will meet some local owners as she's hoping to join a club. There's also a convoy drive that she's going on so that should be good. The best news is that the car hasn't faltered since the immobiliser wiring was altered.

june 71 according to samba.com http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

That checks out with when the UK registraion empi - 23rd August 1971 which is probably the registration date of the donor car. As much as I'd have loved the chassis to be original I think I'll have to accept it's a '71. I'm going to write to the DVLA to request a list of all previous keepers in the UK and I'll write to each one, enclosing a photo of the car as it is now, asking if they have any history etc. I'm hoping that someone will reply saying they added the current body and how and when it was imported to the UK. If I could somehow find the Australian registration number from them I might be able to trace an owner in Australia which would be brilliant. In the meantime my daughter will just enjoy driving the car - and I'll have the pleasure of polishing it!

I hate to say it but that VIN number is restamped.
Factory stamped 68 onwards VIN numbers dont look any thing like that, those ones have been stamped on by hand with number punches

Pretty well everything about your bug points to it being an aussie 66 or 67 deluxe

noone would cut off a balljoint framehead to fit a linkpin one, or go to all effort of welding in an early heater control, fitting ealry pedals, handbrake, gear lever etc so there's a good chance it is on the original pan just why someone has frigged with the vin is strange
If all the paperwork says its legal I'd let sleeping dogs lie

Oh Noooooo - here we go again!!!
Actually I thought the stamp looked a little amateurish but thought that maybe that's how it was done in the 70's. It could be that the car was stolen at some point in it's past (I'm NOT going to look into that!) or maybe someone fancied a newer reg no and knew of a '71 write off. Even if I manage to contact the previous owners it's unlikely anyone will admit to that. It's a shame we can't give the car it's true identity but I guess it will always retain an air of mystery - which is no bad thing.

Over 21 million of the things out there, it's natural that a few have checkered pasts.
Someone on superbeetlesonly had a super that actually predated supers by nearly a year 😂
I wouldn't lose sleep over it

I won't lose sleep Joel, life's too short. My daughter loves the car and that's all that matters. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that there's something odd about the car - after all, it is Herbie!
Thanks again everyone, your input has been both enlightening and enjoyable. 👍

Hey designergraphics, are you sure your a Pommie, I don't detect an accent, car sure looks good who realy cares if it's not 100% as it should be. 😵

Ha Ha! Yep, 100% donn, from OSW - I've got a broad Welsh accent 'in the flesh'. Car is looking good, yes, but not outstanding by any stretch of the imagination. Just as well really as it's going to be used, not just looked at.

Forget Samba. The pan is NOT a '71. Joel is right - look at the pedals and the gearstick. You can even see the stub where the heater knob once was. It's a pre '68 6-volt link pin pan, and I'm 99.99% sure it's the original pan that the car was built with in Melbourne.

Joel is right, the chassis number has been restamped. You can vaguely see the outline of other numbers underneath the '111'. I wouldn't worry about it. It's only interesting to wonder about the history...probably restamped when it arrived in the UK (and the VW Australia manufacturing plate lost at the same time...)

So your spare wheel says 1965 and your speedo says 1966. As wheels were much more easily swapped over the last 45 years, I would say that the speedo's date is more likely to be accurate. Yes, I suspect your body is an Aussie '66. Someone has fitted an earlier (pre'65) rear vision mirror, which has the visors directly attached to it. Aussie '66-67s had slightly different sun visors, attached on an arm at the sides and located with plastic clips either side of the mirror. Those visors could be pulled out of the clips and swung around. Those holes you see are where the centre plastic clips were originally mounted; you may also have unused mounting holes at the front corners.

Thanks Phil, I'm going to use a strong light to see if I can work out the original number when I get a chance. I've sent the form off for a list of previous owners but was told that we have to wait until the car's been registered in my daughter's name before they'll release the information so that will take a couple of weeks. I'll let the '71 chassis no stand seeing as it's legal because if I stir things up we might end up having to get a safety check done on the car and it will probably be issued with a 'Q' plate, which is what gets assigned to kit cars - and we wouldn't want that! I'm at a loss to understand why someone would want to change the chassis no though as it most probably would have been done after coming to the UK and, if so, it would defeat the purpose of importing an older car.
Thanks for the info about the sun visors too. You're right about extra holes on the sides, so should I order '65 visors? I'm attaching a photo of the holes and the visors I thought should fit, although I think the ones shown are for a LHD. Finally, the window regulators don't work and I'm having trouble finding replacements. Would a later type fit or is a problem because of the bigger windows? I've added a photo at the end.