ok, well perhaps its easier if I just post some more questions.

Did supply of low and high frame chassis run concurrently, or did the (high) Nippy Chassis change slightly after 198596 when (low frame) Ruby production started?

Has anyone got or seen an early Ruby with chassis number stamped onto nearside behind rear engine mounting?

Has anyone got or seen an early Nippy or 65 with the chassis number plate on the chassis rail under the starter motor?

Hi Jon.

We have a very original Nippy in the workshop at the moment with chassis number 2014** clearly stamped into the nearside chassis rail, 3" or 4" behind the rear engine mounting.

Location: Herefordshire, with an "E", not a "T".

Fabulous stuff. About 2000 higher than the first Low frame chassis Ruby.

I wonder what those first sub-200,000 Rubies reveal?

I have the remains of a bare Ruby chassis with 208*** clearly stamped behind the rear nearside engine mount and no rivet holes on the off side.

Steve

Location: North Yorkshire

My Ruby (registered October 1934) has the chassis number stamped on the chassis to the NS behind the engine mount and had a chassis plate riveted to the NS side panel of the tool box (along with the car body number on a separate plate) within the engine bay, these were riveted on with what looked like factory rivets (not pop). Not sure what it is on my Uncle's car (registered March 1936), will look!

Location: Saltdean, Brighton

I wonder why the Factory decided to change. It must have been less labour intensive for someone to stamp in six numbers with a hammer & punch than do the same into an aluminium plate and then drill & rivet it to the chassis... perhaps it was done AFTER the chassis was painted.

Usually operational changes on the production line are undertaken to save time & money, not make it more complicated and therefore more expensive.

Location: Gard, France 30960

Well, I can beat that, my High Frame chassis has the number clearly stamped behind the rear nearside engine mount and is chassis number 216xxx - February 1935.

Jeff.

Location: Almost but not quite, the far North East of England

Austin Sevens and definitive statements never really work... thank goodness

Just out of curiosity, is there any difference between the high frame cars and the low frame cars that caused the id plate to be moved - perhaps the bulkhead on the later cars covered the n/s chassis rail where the stamping previously was?

Location: Gard, France 30960

Just reading the Grey mag, and found ref to Jim Blacklock's old Arrow recently auctioned.

204522, so earlier than our last "old position" stamping... but has no chassis stamp and a presumed missing chassis plate under the starter. (I wonder if the rivet holes were present?)

It has the narrowed Speedy front outrigger chassis, so extremely unlikely that its another replacement chassis unless one from the factory early on.