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MKIII serial numbers started when?

3K views 19 replies 17 participants last post by  Gene Hart  
#1 ·
Can original, MKII and MKIII be told apart by the serial numbers? When did the MKIII's start leaving the factory? Is there a visual difference between them in the side profile?
 
#2 ·
Not sure what the # jump was.

Quick visual I look for is where the steering column comes out of the driver FB in the engine bay.

In the front - MKIII
On side by the motor - MKII
 
#6 ·
I don't believe the numeric part of the chassis number alone will tell you if it's a MkI, II or III. That is to say, I think chassis number "5000" could be a MkII or a MkIII, depending on the other characters in the chassis number.

My MKIII is F5R1005060RD; so for me to say mine is #5060 isn't entirely complete. There's probably a MkII #5060 out there.

Factory Five would be the ultimate source to give you the information.

Greg
 
#8 · (Edited)
Greg is correct. You can't tell just by the number. I have FFR4969K, and just the arrangement of those numbers tells you it is a MkII. The full number layout for the MkIIIs is different. I don't recall right now what it is exactly, but it is longer, I think with some leading zeroes in front of the four-digit number and ending in RD for 'roadster' instead of the more generic 'k' (for kit) that ends the MkII string.

When FFR came out with the new numbering system I hated it, and still do, because it repeats. There is a MkIII out there somewhere who thinks he is number "4969", but that's my number too (in fact I had it first!!! :devil2:) and the only way to tell the difference is to use the full FFR-supplied number.

FFR repeated several thousand numbers this way.

Regards,

FFR4969K -- AJ

PS. Even though I hate what they did with serial numbers, I LOVE building my kit and admire a whole lot what the FFR family has done. Pretty minor complaint overall.

PPSS. Anybody know who has the "other" 4969? I've asked before but never have received a response.
 
#9 ·
JoeT, you responded while I was writing my response. When did you get your kit? I bought mine in Jan '04, you got yours later than that I'm sure. Yet your number is almost exactly 1000 less than mine. Weird, huh? You're in the repeat set of numbers, and you have a "sister" car out there somewhere with the same number.
 
#11 ·
The MKIII's all started with F5R100. Mine is F5R1004298RD. There are actually 2 4298's out there. The other is a MKII FFR4298.
 
#13 ·
My MSO said F5R1000xxxx, and my chassis was stamped FFR1000xxx. It made for some scary moments at the CHP's vin inspection.
 
#14 ·
I'm just another very early MKIII checking in...Joe T is slightly ahead of me. My car is FFR1004105RD, and I took delivery at the very first part of July, 2004. It was one of the white-gelcoat cars, a setup which didn't last very long.

Cheers, John
 
#15 ·
I have a very late MKII FFR5197. I was offered free powdercoating and something else to get the MKII. Origional delivery date was to be November 2004, actual delivery May 2005.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Yep,

Don't pay attention to the numbers because for some reason, there are some duplicates (of the number part)

If it ends in K, it's a Mark I or II

example, FFR4321K

If it ends in RD, it's a Mark III

example: (mine is: FFR1004114RD)

To be very clear, all of us Mark III guys should really use the whole number. I know there is a Mark II that exists which is FFR4114K .

They stamped some of the data plates with F5R instead of FFR

I do know that Shawn Carter (SGC48) has the very first production Mark III kit sent to a customer. The frame is signed by Dave and the whole crew at FFR. I'm sure he'll chime in with his number and hopefully, that will help with the answer.

R :D
 
#17 · (Edited)
Yep,

Don't pay attention to the numbers because for some reason, there are some duplicates (of the number part)

If it ends in K, it's a Mark I or II

example, FFR4321K

If it ends in RD, it's a Mark III

example: (mine is: FFR1004114RD)


R :D
While I agree with you, How can Factory Five claim the 7000th kit is FFR1007000RD or F5R1007000RD? Can anyone explain this for me? Did they skip some numbers?
http://www.factoryfive.com/whatsnew/update/7000/text.html

I have MKIII FFR1004185 or F5R1004185 depending where you look. 4185 was welded onto the chassis.
 
#18 ·
Just to ad to the mix
I recieved my white MK3 May of 2004. Chassic number 4004, rumor has it it was either the 1st or very close to the 1st Mk3 shipped to the West Coast.
 
#19 ·
Just to add to the confusion (mainly my own), my papers read a 5 digit number (actually 6 if you keep the zero - 053736) whereas every other one listed here is a 4 digit. What is correct?