When is a convertible not a (genuine) convertible?.....

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:51 pm

Unless you buy a car brand new then anything could have happened in the past. I've seen cars damaed and repaired before leaving the factory so even then it's not a 100% guarantee. Some odd variations came out of the factory - including convertibles changed back to saloons!
My 57 came out of the factory with series 2 badges and interior (although not by accident). Cam has the first ever highlight (factory prototype) but it came off the line as a lowlight and was modified for various diffent uses before eventually it was sold to the public.

My split screen traveller had some later traveller parts fitted as upgrades (e.g. steering column lock + indicator stalk, 1098 engine & gearbox) and one rather rude gentleman from Rugby area told me it was 'half van' as he assumed that's where the column lock came from.

Yours has the 'wrong' or 'right' engine depending on how you look at it. Personally I think cars are like houses - a few should be treated like museums for others to see exactly what they used to be like in olden days and the rest should be used/enjoyed/upgraded as their owners see fit. Anyone who likes to criticise is just a killjoy IMHO.

Post by **alex_holden** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:30 pm

rayofleamington wrote:Personally I think cars are like houses - a few should be treated like museums for others to see exactly what they used to be like in olden days and the rest should be used/enjoyed/upgraded as their owners see fit. Anyone who likes to criticise is just a killjoy IMHO.

Precisely my feeling too.

Post by **Vikki** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 6:01 pm

i totally agree with you wasnt complaining its just nice to know the history when things were changed and whats original etc.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:46 am

It would be nice to know for certain.

im not that experienced with moggys yet so i never know that could be how they came out the factory.

Enjoying the cars is the important things and the modified one sounds well sorted with loads having been spent so not an expensive car.
But if both of you you want to solve the puzzle contact the Heritage centre at Gaydon and for a fee they will produce a Heritage production certificate of what the vehicle was when it left the factory, although with the correct MAT chassis number I done expect there to be any doubt.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:55 am

Kevin wrote:But if both of you you want to solve the puzzle contact the Heritage centre at Gaydon and for a fee they will produce a Heritage production certificate of what the vehicle was when it left the factory, although with the correct MAT chassis number I done expect there to be any doubt.

Assuming it isn't a converted saloon that has been given the identity of a rotten genuine convertible...

Post by **paulhumphries** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:59 am

alex_holden wrote: Assuming it isn't a converted saloon that has been given the identity of a rotten genuine convertible...

When I scrapped my genuine convertible I was amazed at the number of people who were interested in buying the V5 identity off me.
Needless to say I notified DVLA that it'd been scrapped rather than have someone clone a saloon.

Paul Humphries.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:18 am

Assuming it isn't a converted saloon that has been given the identity of a rotten genuine convertible...

But if that has happened the orignal id stamped into the bulkhead would be the giveaway.

Post by **beechford** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:28 am

gday I know where this guys coming from my morrie was sold as 1953 but after dogged determination i found out that its 1950 model butthat makes it an even better buy and Im sure he will put his fears behimd him and enjoy his car for what it is a morrie convertible and special to him alone 'amen

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:31 am

But if that has happened the orignal id stamped into the bulkhead would be the giveaway

But my understanding is that not all vehicles have this stamping and when present it doesn't have a precise location. so if that is indicative of the kind of prduction line standardisation (dare I say 'quality control issues') then it's no wonder there are differences like those described earlier.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:11 pm

muggwump wrote:I think they said the dash to a post stregtheners are spot welded.

Put this together with the MAT chassis number and I'd say its a genuine car. Maybe the sill was completely replaced (including inner sill step) and what you are seeing is a restored converible, as for the screen work, that could be a repair too. Send off for the cars original factory spec to find out for sure.