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Lost identity

PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:12 am
by andyp
Information wanted on an Elan S4 Coupe I have recently acquired, unfortunately with no V5C or record of original registration number.
The VIN is 7009200180E with engine number 23437, originally painted in Bahama yellow.
Andy Graham has identified the car as a possible factory converted S4/Sprint, but there are no records at Hethel to confirm this.
My understanding is the car was used as a race car for a number of years, hence its identity was lost.
If anyone can shed any light on its history, it would be much appreciated.

Re: Lost identity

PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 11:53 am
by Apx
The police can track a reg number from a vin if it was recorded at registration, but they may not help ( no sure if they are allowed anymore). Other than that call the dvla, if the vehicle was ever registered then the vin will show up a reg number and maybe other information like exported/right-off stolen etc. It might cost ?5 and you will have to give reasons for the information. IE returning a race car to road use. You will need to prove lawful ownership to their satisfaction and hope that in its long lost past its not registered as unrecovered stolen or the like.

Re: Lost identity

PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:57 pm
by elanfan1
You'll likely hit a brick wall at the DVLA they can't go though hundreds of records looking for your car. If you know where it raced there might be some period photos. Are there any outlines on the front no plate grille? You may gets partial index.

If you get the car MOTd on its chassis no you will then be able to apply for an age related plate.

Re: Lost identity

PostPosted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 9:55 pm
by Apx
[quote="elanfan1"]You'll likely hit a brick wall at the DVLA they can't go though hundreds of records looking for your car.

It entirely depends on when the car was "taken off the road". A basic computer record made when the DVLA went over to computers can cross reference chassis numbers/vin numbers with engine numbers, registration numbers, colour as declared, make and type, along with engine cc. There are other groups that have been added along the way such as insurance and mot. All this information is shared with other agencies such as the police and customs for example. The problem occurs if the vehicle was off the system prior to the groups " computerisation" and some times weeding occurs under certain circumstances. They have back up Microfile systems for older car but that takes an age and might not be fruitful.
I would certainly try as you have not got much to lose

Re: Lost identity

PostPosted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 11:20 am
by Grizzly
It very much depends on when the last time it was registered and if the owner in the 80's bothered to reply to the dvla.

When i bought my Sprint the previous owner had not replied to the DVLA when they went to computers in the 80's and it was a pita even though i had the original V5 (they had to contact the previous owner)

That said my brother built a 250swb from a Chassis-engine-Gearbox-Back axle (all numbers matching from the same car) even though it took nearly a year to sort out he has the V5 from the original car.

Re: Lost identity

PostPosted: Sun Apr 16, 2017 8:48 pm
by enskr
Andy
Your chassis number is only 3 different to mine.
Decoding your chassis number 7009200180E, it means:
(7009) Manufactured Sept 1970, (20) Batch 20, (0180) Chassis No 0180, (E) S4SE FHC for GB market.

No idea about its subsequent history, but this tells you something about it when it left Hethel

Kevin