Chassis numbers

[Hairy]

How do I date the manufacture of my car from the chassis number? 281098
The engine number is M281481, but typically it is not the original engine to the car
Many thanks,
Keith

[Mark Dymond]

Download the chassis register and look for cars either side of your number
https://a7ca.org/chassis-register/

[Tony Press]

Check the book 'The Austin Seven 1922-1939' by RJ Wyatt.
This shows: 
Chassis Number 281472 9th December 1937
with the same date for Engine Number 283618

[Reckless Rat]

It's quite likely that your engine and chassis numbers are "matching" - A7s generally don't have identical numbers, but numbers that are very close. They were probably manufacturing more engines than chassis by the mid 1930s as replacement engines would have been sold when earlier ones broke or wore out, so the engine number would always be higher than the chassis one. I would guess that yours are probably originals. No guarantee of course, but it's highly likely.

[Hairy]

Many thanks, That is exactly the information I'm looking for.
Here in New Zealand we have a complex and absurdly difficult process to get a a car with no previous history legally registered to drive on the road.
Mine is a Special created from the chassis and running gear of a 1937 car. The more accurate information we can provide about the car, the more helpful it is for the process

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Nice work!

[Bob Olive]

Beautiful work, look forward to seeing the final product!