my 97 3.9 is British racing green with red leather and unmolested - by me anyway). it (she?) has the centre lock alloys. (I hear they are 'impossible' to remove - is that your experience?). 27,500 miles. where is chassis number (other than in paperwork)?
True about the Centre Locks - I have had this Plus 8 for a month now and put 3k miles on her and decided to replace 2 tyres due to age. This was ok for the first front however the offside bent the tyre companies bar and my own.
We agreed to retire hurt until I got a friend to make us up a special based on the Large Socket. Involved drilling an additional hole in the socket at 90 degrees to the original and the centre 10mm lower than existing hole. This puts the moving moment closer to where you need it without fouling the bodywork with the long bar if needed.
This new hole is then filled with an 1" steel bar welded and is 18" long and has proved more than adequate and is capable of exerting +/- 300 ftlbs I am informed. The suggested torque for these wheels is 100 but they tighten themselves up as they go along.
In case things get serious I have an additional 5' bar/tube with i.d. of 1 1/16th" so am well prepared.....
The chassis number either on Vehicle Reg Doc or plate on bulkhead, my front cross members are carpeted so unable to read the passenger side one.