Body Build and Chassis Number

Post by **jonjeans** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:59 am

Good Morning

I am curious to discover more about my 4 Door that I recently bought.

Inside LHS top firewall in engine bay: 2 x plates that appear original.

Z.18598 and a long gap then R1160: all on I pressed strip held with small Philips screws.

Adjacent another pressed steel strip with what appears to be MH112356

“VIN” is recorded on V5 as M/A25 862538 and I suspect that is perhaps not correct for an OCT 1960 registered 4 Door? I suspect that body was built in 1958 or early 1959.

Is it correct that Gaydon records will confirm build date from, the Body Numbers, or do they confirm from the Chassis plate / V5 record?

Does the club hold body records? I am a member but not having latest magazine am unable to log into members only area.

Thanks

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:23 am

Contact POMMReg on this forum - he knows everything....

Post by **POMMReg** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:52 am

4/57 body

No doubt you'll have an oval chassis plate - originally large square - holes
not used should be evident(?)

The ORIGINAL chassis number - prefixed 49???? - will be stamped into the
bulkhead near the bonnet release rod.

Original engine 9MH c55000-65000

Not good news I'm afraid - but if you wish for the original id to be reinstated,
contact either Rob.Thomasson or myself.

Post by **jonjeans** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 12:29 pm

Many thanks for reply.

I will again look for chassis number as suggested and take photos if discovered. Holes are evident where square plate would be.

Will be liaising with DVLA when I have Club and Gaydon info together to get body and Chassis numbers matched to correct year and on V5.

And yes please, original ID reinstated would be worthwhile as V5 will need correcting as is evidently incorrect, and has been for many a year. Car was subject to a pretty restoration before being laid up in a barn, including new brakes, welding (it appears to be very solid) and a good paint job. What evidence do you require? Presumably an inspection? The plate on inner LHS plate has corroded away. Nothing on floor pan that I have discovered, however am hopeful there may be a trace of a number on bulkhead now I know exactly where to look.

I intend to obtain evidence to meet DVLA needs before expending too much time and money on the vehicle. It will be MoT’d before use and would be good to have the correct Chassis number and correct chassis plate before then. Does the club stamp up chassis plates and what is the fee please?

Small comfort that car will be MoT free.

My email is jonjeans@tiscali.co.uk. I live adjacemt to A37 a few miles North of Yeovil.

jj

Post by **POMMReg** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 1:23 pm

JJ

Try to gather as much evidence as possible; things like g/box,rear axle
& key number.

Body number - if NO sign of removal - will be sufficient, but the chassis
stamp will be the proverbial "icing".

Contact Rob Thomasson.

Chris Stevens
MINOReg Historian & Archivist

Post by **jonjeans** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:24 pm

Thank you Chris: will do.

Chassis number located and pic attached. I have taken 4, perhaps best attached, and the number appears to be 486466. Will search out and compil=e for you and Rob the suite of numbers available.[frame]

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Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:46 pm

FAD 11/486499 would be Feb/March 57. You will need the chassis number to obtain a Production Trace Certificate from BMIHT. You can then check the lock barrels number and transmission component numbers.You can also check the build date from the Triplex Toughened glass dot code

Post by **POMMReg** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:53 am

JJ

Check the 2nd digit of the chassis number - 8 or 9?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:53 am

How does a car end up with the wrong V5 etc ? Now the REAL chassis number has been found - can that be matched to an original Reg Number? And if so - what happens then?

Post by **jonjeans** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 10:16 am

Registration was apparently sold by DVLA to Elite registrations. When previous owner purchased the car, he was given another registration by DVLA which =was transferrable as it was DVLA error. He liked the Reg and transferred it to another vehicle of his. Hence this Morris has a non transferable registration.

V5 has I suspect typo error on chassis number and appears to match later 2 door. I am interested in identifying correct Body to track original registration and then conduct a V888 search to fill the history from original and present registrations. It is recoirded oin V5 as 4 Door first registration Oct 1960. From information gleaned so far, it is a 1957 car. It has th e57 interior with features such as indicator switch with horn push on end.

Ideally, with the correct chassis number verified by club and Gaydon, then DVLA will be requested to consider amending V5 to be accurate for the car. The original registration will probably be unobtainable.

I have more numbers to search. Regarding chassis number 2nd digit, I will attempt to improve the photographs, and then clean lightly and take a trace on greaseproof paper with soft pencil (aka brass rubbing).

And check Glass, keys, and mechanical components numbers. It has 7 in brakes, but incorrect (later) lights on the new wings, and grill is not body colour coded.

Post by **POMMReg** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:53 am

What is the exact Date of First Registration & engine number of the 10/60 car,is it quoted
as M/AS3 or M/A2S3 - can enter onto the database.

The DVLA are very good with stuff like this, should be easy.

You can do a trace on ANY number - even if the chassis number isn't fully legible.

Do you have any history on the original car.ie registration?

Post by **jonjeans** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:27 pm

No detail here: however the V5 has M/25 xxxxxxx Yes figure Five not S. Will look this evening for date of first reg but, V5 states Oct 1960. Which is perhaps 2 errors.

Post by **jonjeans** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:29 pm

M/A25 862538 on V5. Definately incorrect. 5 shuld perhaps have been an S for a 2 Door. Which it isn't.
Will check other numbers

Post by **jonjeans** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:06 pm

V5 first registered 14 Oct 1960

Body number after rubbing 496460

Axel,g/box, lock numbers to follow

Post by **POMMReg** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 10:44 pm

jonjeans wrote:V5 first registered 14 Oct 1960

Body number after rubbing 496460

Axel,g/box, lock numbers to follow

Phew!

Bit shocked if it HAD been 48xxxx!!

Chris

Post by **jonjeans** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:11 pm

Thank you for all who have contributed: my Morris received the Heritage certificate today.
Chassis number is M-AS3/496436. With careful re-interpretation of numbers, yes, what I had read as a 5 is a 3.
Clarendon Grey with Grey trim. Manufactured 11-12 April 1957.

But: From Potteries website

Mid 1958 > Apr 1971 Prefix: SMM. (Series Morris Minor)
MNR (Minor) /
S = Synobel paint
SYN = Synthetic paint
No designation = Cellulose paint
First Letter
F Morris Minor
O LCV Second Letter
A 4 Door Saloon
B 2 Door Saloon
C Convertible
L Traveller
E Van
F Pickup
G Chassis/Cab
H GPO Mail Van
J GPO Engineer's Van

Third Letter
A Black
B Light Grey
C Dark Red
D Dark Blue
E Mid Green
F Beige
G Brown
H CKD Finish
J Dark Grey
K Light Red
L Light Blue
P Ivory
R White
S Mid Grey
T Light Green
U Dark Green
First Number
1 RHD Home market
2 RHD Export
3 LHD Export
4 North American Export
5 RHD CKD
6 LHD CKD

Mid 1958 > Apr 1971 Prefix: SMM. (Series Morris Minor)
First Letter
M Morris
A Austin

Second Letter
A A-series engine

Third Letter
S 4 Door Saloon
2S 2 Door Saloon
T Tourer/Convertible
W Traveller
V Van
U Pickup
Q Chassis/Cab
G GPO Postal Van
E GPO Engineer's Van

Forth Figure
3 948cc
5 1098cc
C Austin
LCV Optional Letter
D Deluxe

Post 1968 Suffix (Factory)
M Cowley
F Adderley Park

Heritage VIN ties in with post 1958, mine is 1957.

Any suggestions or have I misinterpreted the codes?

Thank you again to all who have contributed to resolving this missing identity.

Post by **POMMReg** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 12:16 am

Should be in the "F" chassis prefix system; ie FA?11/496xxx

M/AS3 = post chassis number 666xxx (which is on the duff id plate)

If it DOES state M/AS3, BMIHT will re-issue another correcting the error.

Common boob to make, don't worry about it.

PS; Please pm engine,gearbox,rear axle & key numbers to enable me
to help fellow enthusiasts faced with similar situations.

Thanks

Chris.Stevens
MINOReg Historian & Archivist

Post by **jonjeans** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:11 am

FAJ11/496436 confirmed by BMIHT and certificate issued. DVLA contacted to amend V5C and original registration number sought. BMIHT do not hold that information.

Any one able to assist with stamping up the VIN plate please, or is that a self help? I have the correct rectangular plate unstamped, but would prefer a professional job.

A Big Thank you to all who have assisted.

jj.

Post by **POMMReg** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:09 am

jonjeans wrote:FAJ11/496436 confirmed by BMIHT and certificate issued. DVLA contacted to amend V5C and original registration number sought. BMIHT do not hold that information.

Any one able to assist with stamping up the VIN plate please, or is that a self help? I have the correct rectangular plate unstamped, but would prefer a professional job.

A Big Thank you to all who have assisted.

jj.

Dealer's details should be on the cert. Usually a case of contacting that City/County's archive dept
to see whether vehicle records are kept - as original regn sold, pretty pointless!

Post by **smithskids** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:44 am

Facinating watching this hunt for the truth. Better than some of the detective stuff on TV at the moment. Just shows what a combined effort can produce. Well done all concerned.

Morris Minor Owners Club