chassis number

[tim323]

bought a baur for parts recently and although i saw the v5 which should be coming soon ?,the car has no chassis identification .The aluminium pop riveted plate is missing and the number on the wing top is not visible either ,i assume it has been filled in and then painted over.....
The question I have is whether the original chassis number is stamped elsewhere on the car so i can check this is actually the same car that the v5 says it is !

[e21-Mark]

I don't think so. You also run the risk of having your car impounded if you ever got pulled over and they discovered there was no chassis number evident. If I were you, I'd knock one up myself.

[Madhatter]

Yes, sometimes you can find a spare vin plate under the dash on the crossbar. Every aussie car ive had, the plate was there, its like the original aluminium one, just its blank except for the vin number. Ive also heard other people talk of finding them there too, so I suggest maybe having a look.

It generally means you need to pull the dash out to see if its there, but it might be worth it to you if its too difficult to have the police/transport department restamp the chassis for you.

[Jeroen]

The chassis number can be found:

- on the top of the right front wing (the one that's been filled on your car, I'd try so sand off the paint carefully to make it visible again)
- vehicle id plate that's riveted to the chassis next to above mentioned chassis nr
- Baur ID plate usually riveted on top of the left front wing or inside a doorsill, there's a list available to connect the Baur ID to a VIN
- on top of the crossbar that's under the dash, requires removing the dash
- if you still have the original backset a production tag may still be fitted to the seats bottom end
- in some countries they add an ID tag. Swiss cars usually have one in the engine bay, Belgian cars have one in the trunk on the left side for example.

[e21-Mark]

I guess if there's no other way then moving the dash would be worth it. I never knew such a plate existed.

[rasb1]

I guess if there's no other way then moving the dash would be worth it. I never knew such a plate existed.

Mybe try to locate it with a camera probe, or something like that...

[tim323]

thanks guys i thought there was another one somewhere when the paper work arrives i will check it out .good idea about the probe thingy !

[murran]

the one on the wing, id try getting the paint/filler off it with a wire wheel. if its obviously been ground off then id be worrying about who's car it was/really is!

its probably a stolen car thats got the number plate/identity of written off one. its been done lots and lots of times!

[SAMZER]

Does anyone knows where i can find a spare chasis number in a E21 316?
Because the VIN in the right front wing is missing (apparently te rust ate it) and the plate is not originally riveted...
Do i have to remove te dash? is there any number or plate?

[Jason_323i]

read the above, the bar under the dash. Also some times on a piece of paper under the backeat.

Jason

[Jeroen]

Recently I've seen several E21's that did not have the ID tag under the dash so that's not guaranteed but worth the try perhaps. And yes if the original interior is still in there, there's a label underneath the rear seat as well. Is there any reason to doubt the ID tag is the correct one?

[m3gaz]

Before you start mucking about with probes,Tim,get some good paint remover.nitromors or peelaway and smear some on the area of the top o/s wing where the vin should be.It should remove all you need to find your vin.

Gaz