Morris Minor Owners Club

I wonder if anyone can help with an identity crisis

I have had delivered a Morris 1000 as a gift!

The reg is three letters and three numbers

The log book shows it as a 1956 and the engine number matches the log book but is a 1098cc

The chassis number on the log book does not match the plate in the car but the plate has a date of 1965 on it but is screwed not riveted on.

I have asked the DVLA for their advice and they said it is not a problem just send in the V5 and they will sort it out.

The car has trafficators and is trafalgar blue.

Any advice is welcome

A very nice gift!!!

If it has trafficators it will have been 1961 or before. Trafalgar blue was only used from about 1962, but of course it could have been respayed and had a later engine fitted as many do! If you want to PM me the chasis numbers I could give you a rough idea from it.

http://www.auto-part.com/auto/shop/vin.asp

This may help you with the chassis numbers.

Hi thanks for that will check it against the v5 and the plate but I think the plate is not right somehow as it is lose and not riveted on.

I would like to know the best way to tell if it is a 1956 or a 1965 without chasis number etc

If you could post some photos of it somebody would be able to tell you.

Things to look for are:
trafficators as mentioned, they featured until 1961
the windscreen wipers will be different too, 'claphands' wipers that meet in the middle were used until 1964 then the more conventional style used later.
a '56 car would have two glovebox lids, '65 would just have one lid on the passenger side (of course this can be easily changed though)
On a '56 the horn would be on the end of the indicator stalk, in '65 the horn is in the centre of the wheel and there is a green light on the end of the stalk.

there will be lots of other small changes to look for but I hope these can give you a good answer!

did they have a 1098cc engine in 56?

it has trafficators, clap hand wipers, two glove box lids etc so sounds like the log book date is right at 56.

Curious as to why it has the wrong VIN plate in with 1965 on it?

!098 engine was not fitted until 1962 but is a popular retro fit, as is a 1275 which was never fitted to a Minor.
If you look on the engine compartment bulkhead you may find the chassis no. to the outside of the bracket where the accelerator cable passes through. Not always there and you may have to clean the area up to see it