Lancia Motor Club

Recently, I was required to check out a '71/'72 Fulvia 1600 HF for somebody.

One of the first things I noticed was that the chassis number stamped on the blue 'Lancia' VIN plate which was pop-riveted onto the top left (when viewed from the front) flat bulkhead top - whilst matching the chassis number reported on all of the associated paper documentation - most certainly didn't match the number clearly engraved into the engine bay rain-channel which runs along the top of the left-hand (nearside) wing.

Both numbers began with the same & correct 818.740 for a (LHD) HF version, but then showed different digits thereafter.

There are two possible explanations I've heard:

(i) This number in the rain-channel is only a (body) part number, while the actual chassis number is stamped onto the bodywork somewhere else; like along the rain channel which runs along at the back of the bonnet (something I didn't discover or look for)
 
....Or else....
(ii) Maybe this car is some sort of ringer????!! (It has certainly spent some time in several other countries, abroad...)

The views & advice of the panel are kindly invited.

The stamping in the rain channel that runs forward down the wing is a part number. The chassis number should be stamped on the rain channel that is forward of the windscreen. All to often impossible to verify due to the difficult position and over painting if the vehicle has been restored.

Thanks very much for that prompt & authoritative statement, Tim - much reassured!

And checked it out on my own Fulvia: which matches - down to the indiscoverable chassis number, lost down the back of the bonnet rail, just as you predicted....

You might be able to get an impression of the chassis number in the gutter from underneath with some plasticine or similar which might not have been heavily painted over