Replacement vin plates

Kest

Club Member
Hey guys, as some of you know I'm trying to get the 260 finally registered correctly following a DVLA cock up over 14 years ago.
I've had a kind letter back (eventually) asking for lots of photos so they can issue or correct the details.
The one that I'm going to struggle with is providing them with a picture of the vin plate (normally located on the o/s inner wing). So I think getting one made up (I mean I need one eventually either way) will help things along with the DVLA.
I've seen a few sellers online with reproduction plates for sale that you stamp yourself. What I'd like from some of you fine gents is a picture of your plates so I can try and find the best period looking plates, also which sides the stamped numbers align to and the style etc.
I'm not trying to clone anyone's car, so feel free to blank out any discernable information, I'm just trying to recreate the style.
Cheers
 

Kest

Club Member
Apparently I come across as rude when I tell people to 'google it' when they seek answers to things they do not know.
And yet, I've completely forgotten my own advice in this instance, thanks for setting me straight.
Google always has the answers
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
I hope I didn’t appear rude, but most (if not all) things are ‘out there’ ...

Although saying that, can I find the lengths of hard line fuel pipe needed to replace those on a ‘72? Can I heck. I can find the diameters. But not the lengths!
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
As a matter of interest - what is the cock up?

if it’s related to the age of the vehicle, I can do you a club letter and normally we care about the vin as stamped on the bulkhead not a screw in plate that anyone can stamp / remake!
 

Kest

Club Member
As a matter of interest - what is the cock up?

if it’s related to the age of the vehicle, I can do you a club letter and normally we care about the vin as stamped on the bulkhead not a screw in plate that anyone can stamp / remake!
So the story for those that don't know, my old man bought the 260 like 14 years or so ago (he was sick of taking shit for having a zx at the other club, so bit the bullet).
When he sent off for the log book then it came back completely ass backwards mixing it up with a Datsun 180b or y I forget. Fast forward a few years and I've inherited the burden of correction.
From what I and more importantly other members of the club found out was that the DVLA has mixed up the records between yev698s (the 260 - mine) and yev689s (the 180). I think if you currently check the DVLA register my chassis number and original engine number matches 689.
I sent a big letter with the two hpi reports and an honest recount. I feel I should've just asked for a v5 with the chassis number from the car and taken the easy route of keeping their mistake and changing the reg.
Alas I chose the honest/harder route and this is we find ourselves. I will email DVLA directly tonight and confirm their intentions, and check that their reasons for the picture evidence aligns with my outcomes. If so I feel I've gotta play their game a little and get plates made etc.
The original engine is long gone so I hope they don't moan about that.
But a letter of provenance I hope will carry some weight if there's any hiccups. So thanks for the offer. Sorry for the long winded reply.
 

Kest

Club Member
Follow up question which Ian has mostly answered from his own post.
Guys that have done engine swaps, have you changed the vin plate to the new engine thats present or have you kept the old original number on your plates.
I'm not sure on where legality stands vs originality on that one.
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
So the story for those that don't know, my old man bought the 260 like 14 years or so ago (he was sick of taking shit for having a zx at the other club, so bit the bullet).
When he sent off for the log book then it came back completely ass backwards mixing it up with a Datsun 180b or y I forget. Fast forward a few years and I've inherited the burden of correction.
From what I and more importantly other members of the club found out was that the DVLA has mixed up the records between yev698s (the 260 - mine) and yev689s (the 180). I think if you currently check the DVLA register my chassis number and original engine number matches 689.
I sent a big letter with the two hpi reports and an honest recount. I feel I should've just asked for a v5 with the chassis number from the car and taken the easy route of keeping their mistake and changing the reg.
Alas I chose the honest/harder route and this is we find ourselves. I will email DVLA directly tonight and confirm their intentions, and check that their reasons for the picture evidence aligns with my outcomes. If so I feel I've gotta play their game a little and get plates made etc.
The original engine is long gone so I hope they don't moan about that.
But a letter of provenance I hope will carry some weight if there's any hiccups. So thanks for the offer. Sorry for the long winded reply.

I may be able to help with a letter to support your case. What I need for you to do, is to fill in the dating letter template for me and also provide photos of the car including your VIN number as stamped on your bulkhead. I can send you a physical letter with my signature on it and a scanned copy on email. Typically the DVLA expect to see it physically but you may be able to send the electronic version with an offer to post it to them if they want the real thing in their hands!

I have a bit of time this evening so get me your stuff soon as you can please and then you can send it to them with your email.

Also PM me any history of conversations between you and them that you feel I could reference to bolster your case.

https://zclub.net/community/index.p...-a-vehicle-dating-letter-from-the-club.24671/
 

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Follow up question which Ian has mostly answered from his own post.
Guys that have done engine swaps, have you changed the vin plate to the new engine thats present or have you kept the old original number on your plates.
I'm not sure on where legality stands vs originality on that one.

I've got an L28 engine in my 240z. I'm not aware of it being noted / updated on the VIN plate, though have not checked - I very much doubt it. The only thing that will matter is what is stamped on the side of the engine, which the insurance company might want. DVLA hadn't even recorded my engine no. during import and in fact, i'm in the midst of getting them to correct other mistakes.
 

Makesy

Club Member
Slight hijack, but my 240 has never had a plate since I've owned it. And the engine is an l28, so definitely not the original. And I have no way of knowing what the number of that l24 was!

Would it be frowned upon to get a plate stamped up without the engine number? Is there a better way of handling it or shall I just leave the car without?
 

Graeme - CZ

Club Member
Slight hijack, but my 240 has never had a plate since I've owned it. And the engine is an l28, so definitely not the original. And I have no way of knowing what the number of that l24 was!

Would it be frowned upon to get a plate stamped up without the engine number? Is there a better way of handling it or shall I just leave the car without?

Can't see how what a previous engine no. would matter; it's what is in it now - and even with that, i'm not sure DVLA are even bothered. The insurance company is different. I have to provide the engine number of the L28 as it's technically a modification. No idea really whether or not I need to do that or not, or if simply saying its a 2.8L 240z would be sufficient.

If you wanted a plate, I'd just put the L28 number which you can find down near where the oil filter fits.
 
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Bazzateer

Club Member
Your V5 should have the engine number recorded. If the one fitted is different you should send in your V5 with the new number, and capacity if that's different too. You'll then get back a V5 that actually matches your car.
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
Guys that have done engine swaps, have you changed the vin plate to the new engine thats present or have you kept the old original number on your plates.
I'm not sure on where legality stands vs originality on that one.

Alteration of factory identity plates is a big no-no. That's not in our gift.

The correct protocol for engine replacements/drivetrain swaps is to leave the factory identity plate as it came from the factory, and simply to inform DVLA of the new engine number/new engine type & number so that it can be recorded on the V5. Insurer also needs to know.

Making up a replacement plate for a lost one is a bit of a grey area, but the wisest approach is to replicate the original - as far as you can - and not be tempted to stamp a non-original number into it. Some of the specialists in Japan offer replica replacement plates (not for GRS30 I'm afraid) and they insist on stamping them up for you themselves, asking you to provide genuine proof of ownership (via official documentation or a faded/damaged original) which seems to make sense to me.
 

Kest

Club Member
Alteration of factory identity plates is a big no-no. That's not in our gift.

The correct protocol for engine replacements/drivetrain swaps is to leave the factory identity plate as it came from the factory, and simply to inform DVLA of the new engine number/new engine type & number so that it can be recorded on the V5. Insurer also needs to know.

Making up a replacement plate for a lost one is a bit of a grey area, but the wisest approach is to replicate the original - as far as you can - and not be tempted to stamp a non-original number into it. Some of the specialists in Japan offer replica replacement plates (not for GRS30 I'm afraid) and they insist on stamping them up for you themselves, asking you to provide genuine proof of ownership (via official documentation or a faded/damaged original) which seems to make sense to me.
Thanks for setting us all straight. It sounds like it should make sense to change the engine number on the plates but well aware that modifying official numbers is always questionable.
I have actually found some grs30 vin plates https://www.zeddsaver.com/collections/datsun-z-car-id-plates/products/datsun-260z-2-2-id-plate they have many plates available and look pretty close to original, I just didn't want to order from across the pond if I could avoid it, it looks like it's a necessity now though.
Annoying as I bet the old one isn't far away (probably buried in a box of spares), but I want the registration all correct before I really jump into the project hard.
 

Makesy

Club Member
Alteration of factory identity plates is a big no-no. That's not in our gift.

The correct protocol for engine replacements/drivetrain swaps is to leave the factory identity plate as it came from the factory, and simply to inform DVLA of the new engine number/new engine type & number so that it can be recorded on the V5. Insurer also needs to know.

Making up a replacement plate for a lost one is a bit of a grey area, but the wisest approach is to replicate the original - as far as you can - and not be tempted to stamp a non-original number into it. Some of the specialists in Japan offer replica replacement plates (not for GRS30 I'm afraid) and they insist on stamping them up for you themselves, asking you to provide genuine proof of ownership (via official documentation or a faded/damaged original) which seems to make sense to me.

Thanks Alan.

In that respect, would you think I'd be best replicating the original plate and leaving out the engine number on mine?

I'm not overly bothered about "authenticity" as such, just feels a shame to completely omit a plate from the engine that was once there.
 
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