Period correct handbook?

[Chief]

Every so often I consider buying a period correct (I already have the reproduction version) original handbook.

There's just one issue, I don't know which is the correct one, as my car was built in '63, but registered 1st Jan. '64.

So should it be AKD 680M or should it be AKD 3922 since the numbering scheme appears to have changed some time during '62-'64.

I did look in Ray Newells' Original Morris Minor book, but it doesn't appear to cover documents, just tools, features etc.

Thanks

[geoberni]

Well clearly a 1963 one , since that's when it left the production line, but you'll need to check the drawings inside to be certain, unless anyone here has the correct year book already and can advise you.
I doubt they did a major redesign of the book just for the introduction of the 1098 in '62.
I strongly suspect the change in publication reference may coincide with the changes of dash layout and lighting changes of Sep/Oct '63, and you need an early AKD 3922.

[Chief]

It's a good point about the lights. The early 3922 still shows the original round heater illustration of the dashboard.

Also, the end letter is a tad confusing as I've learnt that 3922 'C' is1965.

So was there an 'A' and 'B' - was 'B' 1964, was 'A' late 1963, was 3922 without an 'A' early 1963 - was there even a version with 'A' at all

More confusing is how some 3922 manuals have the copyright date while others don't so there's only the number to go on, if the site even shows the back where it's printed

It's also quite possible that mine being something of a transition vehicle never had a "correct" handbook anyway.

[geoberni]

There probably wasn't an A on the original version; it's protocol in my experience that suffix letters only apply to amendments, it might even be a professional document compilation 'rule'.

It's also quite possible that mine being something of a transition vehicle never had a "correct" handbook anyway.

I have that problem with my 2010 Ford Kuga; it's the updated Mk1 version and the handbook is the original version.
Different controls for tailgate, and a couple of other little points.

[Chief]

So, my trawling through over a thousand items paid off in the end with my purchase of what I hoped would be the earliest version of the AKD3922 (no letter suffix) drivers handbook.

The handbook did indeed cover the early heater and lighting -however- it came with a supplement for the new heater and lighting changes (but not the dash switches as it's still correct for my older pull switch car).

Hopefully in the future, anyone else hunting for a transitional (~Sep/Oct '63) cars handbook will find the above useful.

[geoberni]

So, my trawling through over a thousand items paid off in the end with my purchase of what I hoped would be the earliest version of the AKD3922 (no letter suffix) drivers handbook.

Good result!


For my SII, I brought the 9th Edition of AKD617.
Basil is early '55, first Reg in the March, and the book I have appears to reflect everything correctly for him.
The actual copy might be a 'reprint', .....but the only possible indication of that is in the small print at the foot of the last Index page....
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Highly unlikely that they were still printing a SII handbook in 1966, ......so the purpose of 29/66 is anyone's guess, but perhaps the 4/56 is the printing month/year???

There are some gems of information in the booklet that I haven't seen elsewhere; such as under the heading Rear Suspension, it says that

The rear spring "U" bolts should be examined every 6,000 miles (10000km.) and tightened if necessary.

Is that also in the letter booklets??

[Chief]

No mention of the "U" bolts in either the '63 handbook or supplement and also not found in the reprint of the 1970 handbook either.

While the '63 handbook didn't have anything like it, the supplement on the back reads:

PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY
THE NUFFIELD PRESS LIMITED
COWLEY, OXFORD
29/66 (53775) 9/63--33,800



9/63 would make sense as Sep. '63 was when the lighting/heater changes came in, so I guess your book was from April '56 if that's the case.

The 33,800 - well I guess it depends if they'd already made 33,799 cars before Sep. '63 and could be which cars started the supplement. Maybe we're only talking 33,799 1098cc cars.

Meaning they'd only made 5 in your case, and om meant overhead minor as opposed to sidevalve? (so yes, no idea there).

[geoberni]

Yes, interesting because we'll never really know what the printer's coding meant....

Very curious that both booklets, published several years apart for 2 distinctly different versions of the car, include the 29/66 ....