Obviously they are related... each F and FE number belongs to a specific individual chassis number (i.e. a specific car)... and body number come to that.

There are people with private data bases that associate chassis numbers with individual FE numbers and so can provide relatively accurate build dates for a given FE number in the absence of other identifying details.  

Its just that, unfortunately, you can't identify a specific car using the F or FE number......

Cheers, Ian

Early Minis typically had 2 metal tags, one right above the radiator and one in the right side foot well with or an "F" or "FE" number. Those were internal tracking numbers used at the factory while the body shells were being built. Everyone swears they are not in any order or related to the sequence number/VIN number on the title.

Then again, I suspect that if one says 1001 and my car has 1002 it's probably close in production date on the factory line.

Your mileage may vary.

Cheers,

Jim Too many Minis, not enough cents

I have a 64 Cooper S with a what looks like scrap sheet metal plate 1 X 3 maybe with the body number stamped on it. Mine is a UK car RHD and the number is in right floor I believe haven't looked for awhile. Do you plan to race or restore as street car? Can you tell if yours was RHD or LHD? I have some MK 1 parts and I'm located in Tidewater Va. Interested in your plans. Steve (CTR)

Ryan, i am in Charlotte and have a running original 66 Cooper S if you need one to look at for reference. There are a few the the Charlotte area. 

The plate in the floor is a body number used by the factory for identification before assembly and has no tie's to the chassis number itself. these numbers were not recorded on the build sheets. I have seen the chassis number itself stamped into the front foot wells on some but not all US imported cars.

Question for Mini historians about a stamped metal plate welded to the right floorboard of a 1966 Mini Cooper S. The number appears to be F765074. Any idea of the significance of this number and how it may relate to the chassis number?

The body number and chassis number plates are missing as the Mini Cooper has been a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) race car with numerous modifications since the late 1960s. British Motor Heritage Trust has confirmed the chassis number CA2S7L-932371 as being a 1966 Austin Mini Cooper S. The chassis number was documented in the SCCA Logbook as required by SCCA. Thank you in advance, Ryan Williams, Charlotte, North Carolina.