JohnP001

When the Escort Cosworths left the assembly, were the last few digits of the VIN number supposed to match the engine number?

Does anyone know how the VIN numbers were assigned to the chassis during the assembly stage?

When stripping my car down for a full body re-spray, I’ve found 5 numbers hand written under the driver’s seat (LHD) on the cross member of the floor plan. It would appear that this number was used as the last 5 digits of the VIN and stamped into the chassis. This VIN number has been struck through with X’s and a new number has been stamped changing the last 5 digits and this matches the engine number. The little stars are at the beginning and end of both numbers, and the same stampers have been used because they look identical. The number matches the VIN plate in the engine bay.

My guess is that the wrong engine was fitted then they just changed the VIN number to match the engine number. Is this a feasible explanation? I don’t believe this could be a ringer as the stamping is the same.

Does anybody else have the same on their Escort?

Is the VIN stamped anywhere else? I’ve noticed some numbers on the rear quarter panels inside the boot/water channels, but cannot read them. Does anybody know what these are?

Thanks
John

Dave Henshall

hi john, you are correct as in the last 5 numbers (from factory) of the car VIN were from the engione number and as such these should both match up if its the original engine.

ive never heard of a factory restamped chassis plate though. what does it say on your log book ? you can request for a few quid a full history from dvla of all changes that have been applied to the car since 1st registered - which will show all previous owners, cherished transfers/private plates and any changes to the car ie, colour, wieght, engine number etc.

you need to check the engine number itself - not just the ally plate on the slam panel...

example of original escos VIN:


and location of engine no on block:

JohnP001

Dave, thanks for the reply. The log book doesn't show any changes to the VIN number or engine. The car is originally from Germany, so might have been done in Germany, before importing. I've checked the engine block, and it does match the VIN. See attached picture of VIN. The stamps look the same. The cars being completely restored due to rust, as you can clearly see. Cheers John

fish99

When I stripped mine I had the last 5 of the engine number written in a white pen on the floor pan..wonder what that was all about. I see that yours has also rusted on the seat mounting holes.. Are you going to replace the floor pan section or cut out plate etc...mine wasnt as rusted as that so I cut out a square and flushed welded a new bit of metal in and puddle welded (think thats the term) three welds to hold the seat mount to the floor pan under the car

JohnP001

The cars off to a body shop, so not sure how they're going to do it. They're stripping it down and doing a complete respray and under body rework.

Dave Henshall

it is possible that the car while going down the assembly line was destined for the original engine and was even fitted - but during the shakedown testing at the end of the line might have had a catastrophic failure and had to be fitted with a new engine - even though the car had not left the factory. OR if it was a very early one (0 series) the engine might have been replaced by ford to sell as as a new even though the car may have done a few miles under fords ownership as a development vehicle.

JohnP001

The interesting point is that the number that's stamped out, is 8011 higher than the number that's current. How do I go about getting a full history from the DVLA?

Dave Henshall

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...&Rendition=Web

£5 fee

JohnP001

Thanks, going to give that a go. Cheers John