Original Convertible?

Post by **AdrianArmstrong** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:27 pm

Can any nice person please tell me how I can tell if my car is an original convertible or has had an appointment with a hacksaw?
The chassis number begins M/A if that helps.

Best Regards
Adrian

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:34 pm

one way is to see if you have any courtesy light switches on the hinge post of the car

as genuine convertables did not have any, also there was no hole in the hinge post for one either

Post by **AdrianArmstrong** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:38 pm

no there aren't any.
Thanks very much indeed, very grateful.

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:41 pm

no problem, welcome to the board

Post by **Sidney'61** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:02 pm

Also, you can check the next letter after 'M/A' on the chassis number, if it is a 'T' then it is an original convertible but if it is '2S' then it was a saloonl.

Post by **moggyminor16** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:19 pm

the hole in the piller could of been welded up

Post by **Willie** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:10 am

The cast iron way of identifying an original convertible is to remove the door steps and see if the factory fitted 'U' section beams are present.
This is,of course, a bit involved and sometimes the beam has rotted away at the bottom (hopefully before the car was rebuilt). The strength can be replaced by fitting the 'oversill' which forms part of the conversion kit. You can check that the 'B' pillar strengthening struts are in place inside the car and that they are SPOT welded and also that the curved plates at the bottom of the dash board on the left and right ends are SPOT welded. If they are not spot welded they are not original.