On an aluminum colored plate on the firewall is what I presume to be the VIN number of my car however I'm not sure of the complete number as, after the number3147BJ758363 there is a small capitol L (smaller letter size than the rest of the number).

Is this part of the VIN number or does it designate something else?

Hello

Your BJ 7 has an allocated bodynumber 58363. What you consider the Vin number
should start with HBJ7L and then 5 digits starting with 21xxx or 22xxx L stands for as far as I know LeftHandDrive. Should be a black/aluminium plate left from the plate with the 58363 number

Harry

If you're concerned about titling or insuring the car, my state (Colorado) requires a "VIN Number Verification" for a newly tilted car and yes, the chassis number you refer to is the VIN number substitute for both titling and insurance purposes. I think actual VIN numbers didn't come in until 1967 or so?
-Tom

I don't know that thet were standardized to the current 13 or whatever character format until 1980 or so--my 100 was titled under the body/batch number, different than the VIN number, I didn't bother to change it.

I would register it using the entire string of numbers, including the L, just so it all matches up when people look under the hood.

Hi !

As Harry said, your number is the body number (aluminium plate under the clutch pipe), indeed body numbers for BJ7 are 55000-60999 / 70000-70166.

The chassis numbers (near body number as Harry said) for BJ7 are 17551-25314. There is a H prefix (it stands for Healey) + BJ7 + L for LHD... The VIN is the chassis number (for my car it is like that).

And your engine number must be in the range 101-6188 using the prefix 29F (or 29FF if it is a french market car).

About the L, a left-hand drive car had the prefix L. Later, North American specification cars were given the letter U instead of L.

Bye.