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[Larry S.]

Hello everyone -

A friend of mine is interested in a SIIa 88 he ran across.  It is supposedly a 1970.  The seller has it tricked out, using decals, as if it's a military Rover.  This thing has a lot of issues, but looks wonderful (smoke and mirrors type thing).

The most glaring thing to me is the chassis number - 1280658.  Below is a pic of it.  Is there a reason there would be no suffix?  Also, the chassis number plate in the cab is brand new and stamped with the number.  This is the first time I've ever seen this.

[Peter Holden]

I am afraid to say that is not a S2a number nor is it stamped quite in the right place.  Whilst LR don't get the numbers dead in line they stamp them parallel to the line of weld

Peter

[Wittsend]

Over here that would cause big BIG problems trying to get it registered (if imported from the US).

As it's obvious there and exists - perhaps it is correctly registered for use on your roads - maybe the rules & regs are different over there

That's something we know little about.


 

[Larry S.]

That's what I thought.  The owner claims it has a "clear and clean" title, not sure how that is even possible... but, each State has their own rules and regs. 

Only thing I can think of is perhaps some previous owner replaced the chassis.  I have no clue what the rules are dealing with stamping the numbers here.

I did forget to mention... the Rover was imported into the US from Costa Rica.  However, I have seen other Rovers from there and the chassis numbers had a suffix.

[Wittsend]

OK

Vehicles exported to Costa Rica or anywhere else for that matter, will have a Land Rover chassis number relating to export models and whether they were petrol or diesel - left hand drive or right hand drive.

The Land Rover chassis numbers are given right at the very front of every WSM and parts manual.

If they went out as CKD kits, then built up locally - I don't know 

[Larry S.]

OK

Vehicles exported to Costa Rica or anywhere else for that matter, will have a Land Rover chassis number relating to export models and whether they were petrol or diesel - left hand drive or right hand drive.

The Land Rover chassis numbers are given right at the very front of every WSM and parts manual.

If they went out as CKD kits, then built up locally - I don't know 

Thanks.

Appreciate it.

I've asked the seller if he still has the original plate from inside the cab, the one with it is brand new.  I replaced mine with a brand new one, courtesy of the club shop, but I have to retain the original in case the Stat of Kansas has any questions.

There have been many instances of the US Customs department seizing and destroying Rovers with funky chassis numbers, usually in regard to Defenders, but some Series Rovers have been seized as well.  I know of a guy here in the US,  Series II owner, who bought a Defender to use as a daily driver.  He had the thing for about a year or so.  One day, while at work, a coworker told him his Defender was in the process of being towed.  He got down to the street just in time to see it being towed off, but the police were still ther, with a customs officer.  Turns out the chassis number had been fudged.  He wasn't even given a chance to see if the problem could be fixed; the Defender eventually got crushed.  I might have a pic of it around here somewhere.

[diffwhine]

There is a Santana chassis number sequence which is broadly similar, so it could be a Series 2 Santana underneath. In 1970, they would have been far closer to the parent LR product than they later became. Sales volumes of Santana to South and Central America were huge.

[martinthefirst]

Does this example help?

[Peter Holden]

Mark that is a distinct possibility as Santana exported to Spanish speaking South and Central American countries

Peter

[Larry S.]

There is a Santana chassis number sequence which is broadly similar, so it could be a Series 2 Santana underneath. In 1970, they would have been far closer to the parent LR product than they later became. Sales volumes of Santana to South and Central America were huge.

Hmm... that is a thought... thanks. 

[Larry S.]

Does this example help?

Definitely adds to my knowledge!! 

The plate on this one isn't even close to that.

[Peter Holden]

Not seen the middle plate before and it shouldn't have Birmingham on it.  The left hand plate is too new and I don't think it was issued by the club.  Alex would have queried the chassis number.

Peter

[Larry S.]

Not seen the middle plate before and it shouldn't have Birmingham on it.  The left hand plate is too new and I don't think it was issued by the club.  Alex would have queried the chassis number.

Peter

Yup.  I doubt it came from the club.  When I got mine I had to provide info to Alex, just don't remember exactly what info.

[Peter Holden]

Basically you had to prove that you have proper title to the vehicle and you are who you say you are.

I don't know what USA documentation he asked for but it is very clear what is needed for a UK registered vehicle.

Unfortunately copy plates are easily obtained from eBay and such other places.

Peter