Exact date of manufacture

[Onne]

Does someone know how to get the exact date of manufacture for FBA13/404700 without payning the ugly sum of 28 pounds?

[Cam]

I can give you a rough date (within a couple of weeks) if you can wait a few hours for me to drive back home...............

[Onne]

that'll be lovely, hopefully this is the right chassisnumber, cus all it says under the bonnet is 404700.

[Willie]

Between May 1955 and May 1956

[Onne]

Between May 1955 and May 1956

Thank you, but still, that's a whole year minus a few months because she was registered 10-02-1956.

[Cam]

Right. your car should have been manufactured between December 55 and Jan 56

At a GUESS........ I would say 14th or 15th December 1955. Obviously this does not take into account production variations from month to month or within months, so it might actually be a few weeks out, but that's the best guess I can give based on the numbers.

Also........... does your chassis number ACTUALLY start with: FBA13/ ? as I guessed at that number based on what you had told us, but have you found it on your car or logbook?

If your car came out of the factory as a black 2-door saloon RHD for the UK market then it will be either FBA13 or FBA11 depending on it's paint finish (Synthetic or Cellulose)

[Onne]

I can't find the original chassisnumber, as my chassisplate is missing, so only 404700 is what i can see. Are there any other places to check this number? My car was restored some years ago, not by me though, so I can't check the paint

[Cam]

Well, it should be stated on your documentation.

[Onne]

Sadly I haven't got any of the original documents, only the new papers when Elisabeth was imported in 1999, so all it says is 404700

[Cam]

Well..... the first 3 letters will be: FBA

The next will be a 1 if the car was a RHD UK car.

The next will be a number between 1 and 6 depending upon what paint was originally used on the car.

I'm guessing a 1 or a 3 but perhaps some other owners of '55/'56 cars can tell us what their numbers are? Then we can piece it together!

[Onne]

My Elisabeth was an original Home RHD model, and most likely to be black originally as she has the complementary red interoir, wich is still part original, Sadly I can't check out any detalis on the car, as she 's currentle undergoing her birthdaypresent. All my transportation relies on a 1964 Union sport-o-matic 47cc moped

[guydenning]

the level of knowledge on this message board never ceases to amaze me. i was waiting for CAM to say that the wheels were fitted by a Mr. Alf Nungent and he always had spam and pickle sandwiches on a Tuesday

[rayofleamington]

I'm guessing a 1 or a 3 but perhaps some other owners of '55/'56 cars can tell us what their numbers are? Then we can piece it together!

Well my traveller is FLE11 but maybe not to relevant as it's not a saloon ;-)

[Cam]

That's great Ray. I am assuming that saloons and travellers were painted in the same type of paint at the same time.

If so, then Onne's chassis number should be: FBA11/404700

the level of knowledge on this message board never ceases to amaze me. i was waiting for CAM to say that the wheels were fitted by a Mr. Alf Nungent and he always had spam and pickle sandwiches on a Tuesday

Ah yes, but only when facing east and wearing a red hat!

[rayofleamington]

. I am assuming that saloons and travellers were painted in the same type of paint at the same time.

I would be more nervous about that assumption as they are a different animal really - best to try one of the guys with a 55/56 saloon before being more sure, but it's a good start anyway.

[Onne]

That's great guys! I have to know for sure though, because i've ordered a new chassisplate as mine is missing, and it would be nice to have the correct number... Do any of you know anyone wtith such a car?

[rayofleamington]

ops sorry for questioning it Cam - SR has FBA11 on his 55 black 2 door saloon, so you were spot on.

[Onne]

ops sorry for questioning it Cam - SR has FBA11 on his 55 black 2 door saloon, so you were spot on.

I can now let my chassisplate be numbered as FBA11/404700 I am a happy man!

[Fairport]

Sounds like you've got this one sorted now...but I can further confirm the "FBA11" prefix.

For my sins, I own two 1955 black two door saloons - one registered 4/3/55 with chassis number FBA11/316*** and the other registered exactly seven months later, on 4/10/55, with chassis number FBA11/364***.

[Onne]

So almost rolled of the line next to elisabeth1 mine is FBA11/385***