The broad sunlit uplands of next March. Yeah, really. .

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Tourer

We used to use removable engine and chassis numbers back in the day, as did pretty much all teams - just a simple plate attached with araldite or rivets. That is how F1 teams would regularly build 9 or more cars per year but only have 4-5 chassis listed on carnets.

How the history buffs then trace the real history of what chassis was used by driver X at the Biddleonian Grand Prix in '72 has always eluded me, although most teams have their own records.

Feel for you guys over there trying to work it all out - it's a big change after so many years of not having Carnets etc. One word of advice if I may: if you are able to come and go with a vehicle that is exempt, it is worth carrying the basis for the exemption (Eu law for example) with you in multiple languages - avoids significant problems at odd border crossings if you can back up what you're doing with a reference to relevant laws or statutes etc.

Exactly!

It has often amazed me how much reliance people put on the history of cars/engines for that very reason.

Similarly, people get very excited when two cars with an interesting history emerge bearing the same chassis number. It is not impossible that both can be correct.