Club Cobra - Chassis number location

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Chassis number location - always front right?

Hello everybody, I post this thread in the Shelby History section, but maybe the admins would want to move it to some tec section?

I am recently discussing with a couple of people if in fact all CSX models had the number stamped on the right (side) front section of the frames? (view from rear to front)

We know that AC stamped frames on their ACE also on the left side section and I have seen a letter from Carroll Shelby Enterprises from the late1980s to a CSX owner where they stated that the number should be on the "Left side steering mounting".

As I understand that numbers had been stamped prior to painting of the frames, I bet many have been overpainted over the years?

What do the experts say?

At least one expert I know says that only the very early, worm and sector leaf spring Cobras had their VINs stamped at the left front, on the side of the steering box. The later rack and pinion leaf spring cars had theirs on the a-arm mounting bracket at the right front of the car, while the coil spring cars had their VIN stamped on the top of the shock mount bracket also at the right front of the car. So, in this case. two rights don't make a wrong.

Thank you Ned.

I understand only the early 260 engined cars are therefore potentially "LHD" VINs?

But the very rare RHD - European - AC Cobras also had it on the left side.
I hope the guys at AC - and Carrolls guys in California - always stick to the rule!?!

Is it in your oppinion possible that these VINs had been overpainted already at the AC factory? How to make sure today that after potentially not just one restoration the original number is still visible? I imagine a corroded Frame for example will not easily show its number?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghiblicup (Post 1272774)

Thank you Ned.

But the very rare RHD - European - AC Cobras also had it on the left side.

Maybe someone with a COB leaf spring car can chime in, but I am not aware that AC placed the VINs on the left side of these these cars. These were just like the export cars, and there were some COB-designated cars that ended up as LHD, and they have their VIN in the standard place on the right side.

Is it in your oppinion possible that these VINs had been overpainted already at the AC factory? How to make sure today that after potentially not just one restoration the original number is still visible? I imagine a corroded Frame for example will not easily show its number?!

Yes, the VINs were painted over, but it shouldn't be so thick as to obscure the VIN, even after multiple restorations. If it is, just use a pocket knife to scrape away some paint. As for corrosion, it would be unusual for one to be sufficiently corroded so as to make the VIN illegible.

Any chance of an (anonymised) photo for the location on a r/p leafspring car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsk289 (Post 1272851)

Any chance of an (anonymised) photo for the location on a r/p leafspring car?

Page 48 of the World Registry, 4th edition.