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I spoke to my father who bought and built his/my mk2 in 1982, he said the vin was attached when the shell arrived. So it would have been assigned either as it came out of the mold or when he ordered it it was put on a shell, not sure if that helps at all

Hi there just waiting on document's coming back the last owner passed and documents were lost I will get back to you with the registered date shortly thanks for all that information

Thanks for that information it's much appreciated

I maybe able to shed a little more light on the method Harold used to apply the chassis numbers. When I visited the factory and met Harold, I ordered my MK2 that same day and paid Harold the £200 deposit. He then reached for his order book and wrote in my details as well as a chassis number, ( I think every car he sold was in this book ) he then proceeded to write out my receipt including the chassis number which I have shown below.

67 by Roy Forrester, on Flickr

Provided Harold used this same system from the beginning it is my belief that the chassis Numbers relate to the order in which customers purchased their Midas ( so chassis No1 was for the very first customer ) and not necessary what order it came out the mold and I think Harold used the chassis number also as the customer reference number.
This could be confirmed if some original owners of early MK1s had still got there deposit receipts that shows the chassis number on them.

Hi Alistair and margo just received v5c today Jly 862 v was registered on 01 09 1979 thanks Mark

That clears that up. It looks like the chassis numbers were issued in the order in which they were moulded, which makes good sense.
Mark's car was then the third production car out of the mould, but clearly the first customer car to be collected and also the first production car to be registered.
Evidently Mr Smith of Hendon didn't hang about putting the car together and on to the road.

Just to put that in order:

JLY 862V - Chassis D10002 Registered on 01-09-1979

JEH 448V - Chassis D10000 Registered on 01-10-1979

FNT 349V - Chassis D10001 Registered on 15-11-79

What is great about this story is that the first three production cars still exist and are in the hands of enthusiasts. Perhaps, we can tempt Margo to bring his car over from Tallinn to get all three cars together for a meet up at some point in the future.

Or perhaps a bunch of MK1's and Mk2's going over to Tallin in 2019 to celebrate the 40th anniversary. maybe taking in a major Mini event en route.

Sounds like a great idea let's not speak about it let's do it

I would also be interested in going. Especially if we were getting the ferry from North Shields.
Alan

It sounds very tempting.