Tourers

[Jonathan E]

Hi, We currently own a traveller & are considering buying a tourer to add to the family.
Can any one give me a few pointers as to how to visually spot a genuine one from a conversion job and
when scanning the log book is there a record of the conversion shown? does there have to be? I would expect
there has to be but where is it in the log book? any assistance would be gratefully received.......
Many Thanks... Jonathan E

[Budgie]

Hi there it,s easy to identify an original from a converted two door the most obvious is either look at the chassis no. on the log book it should start off with M/AT it depends on the year the very early convertibles didn,t have a different chassis no. from it,s stable mates there is another letter code to distingwish between the tourers inbetween the early and late models but at this moment in time i can,t remember it but i,m sure someone will come online soon and give you more detailed info. also visually the strengthing quarter panels each side under the parcel shelf should be spot welded on an original tourer if its a two door convert. these will be mig welded i.e. the weld would be a long run of welded steel there are more ways but these i find are the easiest and quikest ways of finding out a true one from a convert. hope this is of use to your but i,m sure someone will give you more detailed info in this forum

[Jonathan E]

Thanks Budgie

[Budgie]

Hi jonathan as an owner of a genuine convertible i felt a duty to search out more info for you as a newbie myself to the forum but a lapsed member of some 25 years the wealth of "free" info on this site is priceless anyway the chassis no,s for genuine tours are starting with letters FC [APRIL 1952-58],MAT3[1958-62,ENGINE SIZE 948cc] and MAT5[1962-69 1098cc engines] cars built between 1948 and april 1952 there is no way of telling just by the chassis no.alone. Another easy quike visual check is [and only if they havn,t covered the holes with a blanking plug] is to see if there are interior light switches on the "A posts", if so then its a two door convert. mind you there,s nothing wrong with a convert. as long as it,s been done correctly and you don,t pay too much for it i.e it should be a lot cheaper than a genuine one,i personally wouldn,t have hesitated to buy a two door convert. if i could,ave found one before i bought my current genuine model good luck in your search

[Jonathan E]

Budgie..Thank you once again..you're a great help..Ta!

[Peetee]

When looking for a tourer don't worry too much about whether its original or not. The structure of an open top car means that it is inherently weaker and more vunerable to age and wear and tear related deterioration. Structural integrity is everything. Just about every car out there will be 40+ years old and most will have been rebuilt or had replacement panels. The condition of the car and, crucially, the standard of the work done has far more bearing on the merits of the car you are viewing than if it is original or not.
Having said that, it's important to establish it's provenance as that does affect the price you should pay and expect to receive if you sell.