Strut tower number

[zimmo]

Hi all.

I have this number stamped into the strut tower.
Would anyone know why it’s there or what it’s for. ?

[fixedwheelnut]

Hi all.

I have this number stamped into the strut tower.
Would anyone know why it’s there or what it’s for. ?

Is it an Alpina model?

Often Alpina would stamp a second chassis number of their own to enable searching for correct parts that were part of their modification

[flybynite]

Is it an Alpina model?
Often Alpina would stamp a second chassis number of their own to enable searching for correct parts that were part of their modification

Number is wrong for an Alpina chassis number

Most E30 Alpina had a dedicated VIN plate, not stamped in the tower. E36 had them stamped in the tower but had the original VIN crossed out above.

Is this an Australian car? I think these "6(x)9" chassis numbers were issued under a rebuild scheme or personal import. 6N9 was W.A. I think. I have come across this on a different (Ford) car imported from Oz

[zimmo]

It’s not an alpina.
I am in Australia.
This number doesn’t match the id plate.
There is also no body number stamped under the windscreen.

[Tzantushka]

Looking at the pic, appears you have a fat turbo and exhaust heat wrap. Depending ehich state you are in it may be a product of an engineering certificate for registration or import

[zimmo]

Then stamp was on there when I bought the car and I have turbocharged it. So it’s unrelated.
Could it have been in an accident early in its life and repaired at the dealer with a new front. And the dealer has stamped the number on the strut tower

[flybynite]

Then stamp was on there when I bought the car and I have turbocharged it. So it’s unrelated.
Could it have been in an accident early in its life and repaired at the dealer with a new front. And the dealer has stamped the number on the strut tower

Yes that is the way I understand it, if it was rebuilt under the scheme or imported in the 90s it got one of these numbers no matter what car it was (not a BMW thing). From the list I have 6N9 was WA.

If you do a VIN check on the car with your local roads it should all be legit and tie in with the original number

[zimmo]

What is this scheme you mentioned ? It’s not an import the car has been around Australia and at one point been in Western Australia

[flybynite]

What is this scheme you mentioned ? It’s not an import the car has been around Australia and at one point been in Western Australia

As far as I can understand (bearing in mind I am UK not Oz based) there seems to have been a scheme to certify serious repairs, like a new shell (or front as you say) and issue a new chassis number. Bit like the Cat C/D write-off in the UK although they do not get new chassis numbers.

[zimmo]

Would there be a register somewhere that would list these repaired cars. ?

[flybynite]

Would there be a register somewhere that would list these repaired cars. ?

As I said above I would try your local roads department, or the one for W.A. For the car I had I contacted Vicroads and they were helpful.