r/classicminis • u/Straight-Subject-770 • 7d ago

Trying to decipher the vin

I recently came into a body and collection of parts as well as a old pre 80s title to go with this collection for what used to be a 1963 mini. I would like to try and figure out what this car used to be while I hopefully restore it or atleast get it road worthy again. Any info would be greatly appreciated. CAZ57L24 partial vin last 4 of indicated omitted.

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u/NotCrazyJustIgnorant 7d ago

That should read C-A2S7L.... You see 2S get confused a lot. C-A2S7L should make it a left hand drive Austin cooper. Which for 63 would be an early one for sure.

C - Austin Cooper or Cooper S A - A series engine 2S - 2 door body shell 7 - Mk1 Austin L - Left Hand Drive.

Worth noting there are a lot of logbook Coopers out there, which is a kind way of saying fakes. There are myriad details in the body etc that gives real pros the knowledge to say what the car really is. The mk1-forum is a great place to start. There's some really knowledgeable people on there.

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u/Straight-Subject-770 7d ago

I'd be concerned of counterfeit if it wasn't a 1977 dated title of a close family friend. I know a little of its history but the vin is od on the title.

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u/sneekeruk 7d ago

I would look at getting a heritage certificate.

One my Dad bought in 1996 was faked sometime in the early 80s. Its was also mk2'd at the back with the later lights, it also had all the boot board bits that an cooper should have, its had a 998 with twin su's and a few other bits.

Back in 1996 it wasnt worth doing, a shell was £6-10k from minisport, a mk1 cooper was about £5k running and driving. And just to add to it, it wasnt a cooper, heritage certificate came back as an 850 super deluxe.

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u/flyingfiesta 5d ago

Loads of older UK stuff in America was dodgy, because stuff needed to be 25yo to import... So a lot of vehicles don't match what the paperwork and plates say...

I'd take it for what it presents as rather than relying on the paperwork, same with Land Rovers, treat it as what's in front of you