Can't find the cage number

[DerFahrer]

Hello all, Michael here, the Orlando Auto Examiner. I bought a Datsun 200SX ITB race car back in November.

I'm having a real hard time with red tape with this car... as far as I can tell, it landed from Mars.

Someone told me I need to look on the driver's side of the roll cage by the A-pillar to find the number stamped into it. With that number, I could call up SCCA and get a new copy of the logbook.

I have searched virtually every inch of the roll cage and cannot find a number stamped anywhere.

Where should I find it? Can I get a copy of the old logbook with the VIN? Or is its history as good as gone, and I'll have to start all over again?

Thanks!

[seckerich]

Short answer is no. There is no copy of a log book. The cage number is usually on the passenger side of the main hoop. If you find the number the region number is the first 2 digits in the stamp and they might have a list to re-issue from. Best bet is to just have a new book issued. It will have to meet all current safety standards, and the cage changes over the years would be your only issue. Either way I would contact the chief of tech for your region.

[Knestis]

Look for a hole drilled in the main hoop, used to determine wall thickness. It's common practice to put the number near it. It could be that the number has been painted over, has rollcage padding glue on top of it, or something, and the hole might be easier to find than the stamp.

K

[tom91ita]

as i understand it, if you did not get the original logbook, its history is essentially gone and you are starting over.

if there was any "grandfathering" for the cage, that is now gone.

does the previous owner have the books or know where it was stamped?

otherwise, i would call the local tech inspector and he will likely issue a new logbook and possibly re-stamp the cage.

[markw]

When I purchased my GT car, the log book was missing. I knew the cage number, the date of issue, including the tech inspector and the region. I was not able to even get a reply. Ended up as suggested resubmitting the car as "new". The problem you may run into with your IT car is that there was a time when ERW tubing legal for roll cages. I don't believe it is legal now. ERW tubing has a seam and should have been .120" wall thickness. I was suprised as you are finding out, that there is not a centralized database of log books.

[dickita15]

as i understand it, if you did not get the original logbook, its history is essentially gone and you are starting over.

Maybe, I have reissued books that were lost or eaten by mice if I can verify the original logbook date. As was said there is no central registry. The regions usually keep a record but I know of many cases where that was lost. There is also no record of the car’s history other that the logbook.
If you can find the number, call the tech chief of that region and see if he has a record of when the car was originally teched. If that fails you need to start from scratch.

[jumbojimbo]

You might want to start with an unoffical tech first. That will tell you how much of an issue it would be to get a new logbook issued. If there is nothing major outstanding it might be easier to get a new book. If there is a major $ grandfather issue then you know you need to keep looking. But you want to know where you stand BEFORE you officially try to get a new logbook issued. And of course, best to find an inspector who is friendly...

+1 for finding the number and then using that to contact the tech guy(s) in the original region. Tech guys are often meticulous by nature and there is likely a big book that keeps track of log books issued. You might be able to start from the original owner and work forward. Heck, one of the old owners might have an old filled book, if you had that you could move forward and get a new one. Nobody keeps track of how many log books a car has.

<soapbox> It is inconceivable these days that no one keeps track of entries by logbook number so that we can have a history of a car and to have good participation numbers by model and manufacturer. <soapbox off>

Here's a lovely loophole...if I sold you my car, you could have a logbook that would let you run races for a full year. No one ever compares the logbook to the car. To get teched at an event, all you need is A logbook, not THE logbook. And it's not much a leap to realize that with a photocopier and whiteout you could have a logbook that matches your car. I'd suggest going the legal route though.