Questions

[perkinsp3]

Hi
I'm very new to the forum and not sure if i'm in the right place, please re-direct if not.
I am going to buy my cousins minor which has stood in a barn since 1980 (date on last tax disc)
He has put the documents in a 'safe place' and can't find them. Also he was rebuilding the car at that time and has removed the ID plate (should be with the docments apparently).
Anyway, all I have at the moment is the registration number.
How can I find out the date of build, engine size etc as I would like to restore the car as near as possible to original
Thanks for any advice
Pete

[LouiseM]

You can find out the engine size and year of first registration if you input the registration number into the DVLA search facility here: https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPo ... =directgov (click on the 'vehicle enquiry' tab on the left hand side)

It won't help with finding out the exact date of build but it will hopefully be of some use to you.

[mike.perry]

The engine size will be on a plate or cast into the block on the front left of the block.
The chassis number may be stamped on the engine compartment bulkhead right side, near the accelerater cable.
Post some photos and someone will know the age of the car

[perkinsp3]

Thanks Louise, just tried this link but DVLA quote: no information held.
I will pester my cousin to try to find the log book
Pete

[bmcecosse]

It's been off the road so long DVLA haven't computerised it. However as long as you know the reg number - you may be able to get it's details from DVLA for a fee. Ask at your local DVLA office.

[perkinsp3]

Also thanks to you Mike
I will hopefully visit my cousin over christmas. He had already dis-assembled the car back in 1980 and the engine is on a bench so i'll take a look at it. I do remember seeing a string of numbers/letters on a thin strip screwed on the RH side of bulkhead, i'll write them down.
In the intervening years the barn has been broken into and the wings, radiator, gearbox have been stolen. I'll take some pictures at christmas, she looks in a very sad state.
I do know that the car is fitted with trafficators and is an original convertible with light blue or light grey seats. The car was originally a mid (dark) blue colour. It's not a split screen but the wipers both sweep from the centre outwards.
Cheers, Pete

[LouiseM]

As Mike has said, if you have a photo to post here we should be able to at least give you an idea of roughly when it was built. Details of how to post a photo are here: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=36971

Alternatively what type of registration number does it have? You don't need to provide details of the full registration here but if it has 3 letters, 3 digits and a letter the end letter will show the year it was first registered in the UK (although there's always a possibility that the number was changed at some point!).

[perkinsp3]

Thanks bmcecosse, that's another option I can try.
Hopefully by christmas i'll know if he has managed to find the documents.
If not then I'll try the local DVLA as you suggest
Thanks, Pete

[perkinsp3]

Louise
I think the registration is original, it's 3 numbers followed by 3 letters (...EPH).
I'll post a picture once i've taken some
Thanks again, Pete

[mike.perry]

If the car had trafficators, a one piece screen and clap hand wipers then it was a 948 model built between 1956 and 61.

[perkinsp3]

I was born in 1955 so she's younger than me!
Thanks for the info Mike.
I presume there would have been white side lights on the front? ( not the white/orange lights).
If so, did they flash when indicating? As you can see i'm a real novice at the moment
Pete

[mike.perry]

If it had trafficators then the side lights would not flash. Between 1961 and 64 it would not have trafficators and the side and tail lights would flash. After '64 it would have the combined indicators and side lights which often get fitted to older cars

[rayofleamington]

If your cousin can find the paperwork that will really hep you.
However as there is a 1980 tax disk, it must have been in DVLA computerised system*. As long as the address hasn't changed your cousin can apply (by phone to DVLA) to get a replacement V5C (cost was around £19, but might be more by now).


* I also had a Minor that didn't appear on the direct.gov online details as it had been off the road for decades. I had an up to date logbook for it (I had to apply for a log book under V765 scheme as it never had a V5 computerised record). So the online details are clearly missing some cars on DVLA current system. This is probably because it had never been in the tax disk/sorn database. I sold that Minor maybe 18 months ago (after nearly 20 years of ownership!) and I just checked... it now shows on the database, as the current owner must have taxed it (reg 83 DTB - hope to see you sometime!!)

[mike.perry]

There is a Series MM which is on the road and regularly attended rallies but I cannot find it on the database

[bmcecosse]

Maybe the owner didn't bother to TAX it - since it is Tax Free! I've heard that idea before now!

[perkinsp3]

The reason I asked about the side lights Mike is because I have been offered some good condition metal front wings which are fitted with the orange/white light. Is it possible that the proper white light will fit in the same hole? (assuming I can find the correct lights)

Thanks for your advice rayofleamington, I will speak to him at Christmas. He still has the farm but has moved house. He lived with his parents in 1980 so the old address is not a problem.

[mike.perry]

The later wings will have a larger hole for the side/indicator lights but you can always weld a plate over it and drill the correct size holes
http://seriesmm.mmoc.org.uk Car Ident. Lights has photos of the different lights

[perkinsp3]

Just had a look at link, that's really useful information, thanks Mike
The wings are in very good condition, so I think there's a (another) welding job to be done, but it will be worth it to get the look right.