That looks fine…except it’s not the M-plate. Have a look on top of the fresh air duct under the dash, LHS.
Thank you. Really appreciate your response. Question for you. And all. Am I over thinking this? Does it matter how original it is??? I’m not building a classic resto, just want something that looks cool, runs and gives me some time away having fun with the family! Ha ha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Not overthinking it, but you do need the right chassis info in the right places (suspicious if they’re not there), and the M-plate gives you some interesting info on the build of the van. Are you saying your plates are missing?
It’s one I’m looking at buying and have asked for pics but not received exactly what I was looking for. Looks like it’s been restored/had a load of work done in the past but bodywork looks suspicious, as in fresh(ish) paint with signs of filler not in keeping with the resto images. Thanks again for your help Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I moved one of mine (M-plate?) when I chopped out the bulkhead for a swivelling passenger seat. There's another plate behind the driver seat with the axle weights and lightly stamped chassis no. (MOT man can never read it) I removed and replaced that one too when I was painting - why not it's only riveted on?
I'd only worry about the mplate/chassis being correct if you really want the vehicle (then you can do hpi check etc), sounds like this bus has a few issues that may be even more concerning & reasons not to buy. You could just post a link to the for sale advert and ask people here what they think
I’d be looking for the chassis number stamped into the upstand on the left of the engine bay, that one’s not on an aluminium plate so harder to mess with convincingly. It could still have been cut out or welded over but that would be fairly obvious!
Cut out and re-welded is legit (as you know) if the rear curved panel has been replaced, but otherwise I’d be suspicious. @51MMO - can you post a link to the ad?
That’s where it is from ’76 to end of production, pre ’76 it should be behind the LH seat. EDIT: Or somewhere else.
The aluminium plate has obviously been removed and stuck on and may or may not be original to the bus, but I’d be more concerned about the VIN or chassis/body number – inside the engine bay on the upstand LH side on a late bay. If the stamped VIN on the bus doesn’t match the VIN in the V5c I’d be suspicious. I wouldn’t worry about the M-plate. @Zed where is the VIN on a 72/73?
Pretty sure it's same as 73, 74? It's raining or I'd go for a look. The engine bay one moved when the engine bay/tin changed between early and late so it's here for 72/73.
The plate inside seems to have been fitted in a variety of places and there seem to be quite a few slightly different styles on them.
If it was me, I wouldn't overly worry if the paperwork matches the chassis stamped number and it's not on the stolen list. I'd be more concerned with this. Not unknow for unscrupulous seller to include nice resto pics of a completely different bus when selling a fillered up rust bucket, they all look the same during resto. If you can think of a scam, someone somewhere will be doing it.
Thanks everyone, that’s all most helpful. My suspicion is that it’s a cross over model that when it got restored had the rear corners changed to earlier style rear lights. Think I might leave it unless I can get a decent pic of the engine bay chassis number. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What style of rear vents does it have? If you put some pics of the bus up or a link to the sellers advert We’ll be able to figure a lot out about it for you
Looks nice - what do you think - they paid for the restoration and it cost so much they can't afford to keep it? Happens when people keep saying "I want it done properly".
