how do i date my car?

[muhnkee_2]

Hey folks,
Hello from sunny Singapore!
Kevin the Morris has made it safely to Singapore, but the eagle eyed chaps at the LTA (Land Traffic Authority) have started poking into some dark corners of my cars past, to ensure that it is correctly categorised here.
Here are the facts as i have it:
First a photo of Kevin to give some clues:
[frame][/frame]
From what i can tell he has the grill and lights from a Series II Car.
I have the original registration document from NZ, he was first registered in 1956, which also puts him in Series II timeframes.
So, i have always refered to him as a series II minor.
But upon enquiry Gaydon have declared that Chassis Number SMM/399991 makes him a Series MM car!
Aparently he was exported from the factory on 11.02.1950.
But when i read the Series MM register, the chassis numbers do not go up to 3*****, so i am more confused.
So, how should i refer to Kevin?
Your wisdom and advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Greg

[Scott]

It certainly looks like a 1954-1956 Series II.

Even if the front panels have been changed, the long bonnet = 1951 onwards.

Looking at photos in your other threads (windscreen leak photo), I assume it has a central speedo....correct?
If so, then it's within the 1954 to 1956 period.

[busguy]

Send the body number to member POMMReg on here. I'm sure he should be able to tell you the body shell age, unless of course, the chassis plate and the body plates have all been changed in its long life!
It looks like a series 2 from 1954-6 to me too. Short bonnets finished at the end of 1950, but were still fitted on some MM cars until mid 1951. I owned a '51 convertible that proved that.

[leyther8008]

Sometimes if your very lucky there is a paper label tied to the wireing loom above the steering column under the dash (stand upside down in the passenger foorwell) with a date that tends to be within a month of the car being built.

[ManyMinors]

That is much too late a chassis number to have a "SMM" prefix.
I agree, it looks like a late Series 11 car and the chassis number would also seem to suggest late 1955 or early 1956?
Most Lucas electrical parts are date coded - can you read a date code on any?

[Scott]

Gaydon have declared that Chassis Number SMM/399991 makes him a Series MM car!
Aparently he was exported from the factory on 11.02.1950.

If one of the 9's was dropped, I'd believe Feb 1950 is possible but that would mean the ID tag doesn't match your car.

[POMMReg]

10/50 for LBM, so 2/50 unlikely!

Go for the body number, usually gets missed if id's are swopped.

More pictures please.

Chris
MINOReg

[Scott]

10/50 for LBM, so 2/50 unlikely!

Go for the body number, usually gets missed if id's are swopped.

More pictures please.

Chris
MINOReg

I'm saying if 39991 was on the ID tag, that might be from Feb 1950. The car certainly isn't though.

[POMMReg]

Cannot be 39991 due to the presence of the LBM feature.

Not mistake for body number either. 39991 = late '50 - regd as 2/50, 399991 = mid '62.

For 2dr 399991, looking at body number c159000 of 2/56

Poss an Australian build number for 1955 IF 39991?

We need more info before concluding owt!

Sorry Scott, just re-read your post, yes deffo not 2/50!

[muhnkee_2]

Hey folks,
Sorry for the delay in replying!
I got my chassis number from the original registration document that i have for the car -it goes back to its first registration on the road in NZ and quotes the body number as 399991.
The letter i have from Gaydon that i got verifying that body number confirmed that it left the UK CKD with engine number USHM3/265272 - which would seem to be a 918cc Morris Minor MM SV engine 8HP.
Unfortunately when the car was repainted back in NZ about two years ago, the original body tag from above the battery was lost, and the new paint in the engine bay (and over the rest of the car) has filled in over any stamps that may have been visible.
I saw one photo of someone getting their body numbers by viewing the back of the battery/engine bay panel, so i will try that view and see if i can identify it.
Right now the car is in a warehouse in Singapore, so i will have to wait until next week to see what i can find out.
Is the LBM feature - the long bonnet?
With regard to dating lucas parts, I have the original headlamps, the bowls have f700-6 stamped on them - but i cant find anywhere to date that.
Does anyone else from NZ/AUS have similar issues with reconciling their dates? Were cars 'upgraded' before being finally assembled?
Thanks for all your input.
Greg
Some more photos:
[frame][/frame]
[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[ManyMinors]

I think somebody is simply confusing the body number and the chassis number. The car itself is plainly a 1956 (or thereabouts) Series11 Minor and so is the chassis number you've quoted, so I don't really see why there should be any confusion

If the stamped chassis number on the engine bay bulkhead has been painted over, you'll perhaps have to find it and remove some paint. That should be straightforward enough.

[bmcecosse]

Is any of the glass dated ??

[POMMReg]

The etching on the rear glass "CY" is the NZ vin number - last digits being the UK
chassis number - to conform to NZ id system.

Are the last 5 digits 39991?

[bmcecosse]

looks like it....

[Chipper]

No, it's 399991 (four '9's, not three).

[POMMReg]

16 digit vins on NZ, "etcher" added one more digit somewhere!

399991 is the UK id.

[POMMReg]

No, it's 399991 (four '9's, not three).

Sorry Chipper - didn't have my reading glasses to hand!

"7A"/"CY" Kiwi vin numbers are confusing to say the least, let alone 999/9999,!

Excuses,excuses.....yeah yeah...

[Chipper]

I'll let you off lightly this time - an easy mistake to make.

[POMMReg]

So, are we happy with 2/56 - engine APHM c260000ish

Thanks for your forgiveness Chipper, I was SO upset I nearly pm'd
you how the new style NZ vin numbers work....Zzzz

6 pages of drivel.....

[moggiethouable]

All this is rubbish, to date ones car take it to the Movies and buy it chocolates