Hello all new to the forum

[Bonesy60]

The third digit is a 1 of the vin alman 72
Thanks for the offer Bertie-bus if you can help out I would be interested let me know what your looking for it I would have to source the hangers and I'm not sure if I would need an adapted plate as well.

[babysnakes]

Good pics. That is a bug engine. To mount a cross bar you need the oil pump adapter plate.

[Bonesy60]

Bus daddy according to the m plate the planned production date was Tuesday the 30th March 1971

[busdaddy]

[bertie-bus]

[babysnakes]

The plate located in the engine compartment is not a familiar location. It is commonly stamped there and riveted in the cab.

[Bonesy60]

Where on the dash do I need to look I will check in the morning ? The flat spot next to the plate in the engine bay has no number on it could of been painted over or God forbid removed ☹️

[babysnakes]

Mid way up on the dash, left side. Along side the vents more or less, should be a 1/2" +/- x 3"-4" long plate with stamped #s. Look for rivet holes if not there. Not sure of a '73, but look behind driver and pass seat on the bulk heads for plates or evidence there of.

[alman72]

[Bonesy60]

Quick update I have used the info from this site as to all possible places for numbers to identify the year of the bus, behind the drivers seat has been trimmed with carpet which is spray glued on I have had a feel around and can feel no plate there so if I pull it off I think the best I will find is a couple of holes 😟, I checked the engine bay looked to the left of the battery tray nothing and the flat plate to the left as you open the bay is blank unless I start fetching paint off. In the front there is no number visible on the dash through the screen and behind the kick panels the heater tube comes up out of the floor behind the handbrake but when it gets to the top there is a y splitter on it then it goes to flexible ducting similar to the type used in the engine bay off the exhaust and fan have I covered everything ?

[bertie-bus]

Pretty much you have yeah.
I'm tuppence worth? Fuck it! Enjoy your van, it looks lovely, go make awesome memories and have some adventures
I'll have a look for the hangers and bar in an hour or so and drop you a line

[Bonesy60]

Yeah I think I'm just a bit stressed about it but once I have done my best to get the info I'll just concentrate on enjoying it. I am goin to raise it up a bit and fit a towbar for the camping trailer then we will be of to Devon this summer 😀

[Bonesy60]

Thanks for that Bertie-bus

[bertie-bus]

[Bonesy60]

Yeh that's a shame I would be interested in that as well lol

[Globespotter]

Looking at that M-Plate, it looks to me like the original engine VIN has been filled and painted over (thick textured paint) and the M-Plate riveted to the left.

Surprised there is no evidence of a dash VIN, but really looks like an attempt to register a newer vehicle with an older VIN - like someone said probably for TAX or MOT purposes.

I know my 77 Westy has a 78 VIN plate on the dash and the engine VIN filled in, but it is actually a 77 (The 77 M-Plate matches the filled in engine VIN.)

In my case, I believe it was just a case of a replacement dash 78 into a 77, as there are no TAX or MOT benefits between 77 & 78 here in Canada.

If you are able to find the original VIN somewhere, you should check the stolen vehicle databases to make sure it is not a stolen vehicle that has been altered for nefarious purposes.

In my case, the original M-Plate was still under the dash on the left, and I could faintly make out the engine vin, so I was able to check both the original and new VIN as clear in the stolen vehicle databases.
_________________
1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980

1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=

http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382

[Bonesy60]

Ok because I can't leave shit alone and I need to know what's going on I have taken the paint of the flat area inside the engine bay and this is what I found.

I did a check through a friend on the vin number and he sent me this

[Bonesy60]

Is there any way of finding out details where it was imported from as the check says it was imported in 1982 ?

[Bonesy60]

Bertie-bus did you have any luck finding that engine bar ?

[bertie-bus]

Morning buddy! Got engine bar but not hangers :-/ will have a dig in the container for a pair
Engine bar £40 but posting this thing will be a bigger for the shape/weight