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MG MGA - Need VIN to register ex racer

I bought an MGA roadster as a parts car, but it has no Vehicle Id Number or VIN plate. What is left is a rust free body and frame and I'd like to build it as an 18V 4 synch street car. Is there anywhere else on the car other than the VIN plate on the firewall to find the VIN?
Does anyone have a clear VIN / title for sale?
Russ
Russ Carnes

If you are lucky you may find the chassis number stamped on the frame, top side of cross rail, right side of tunnel, ahead of seat. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/buying/buy101.htm#chassis_no

The chassis number is incorporated as part of the Car No. on the ID plate. If you can find the chassis number on the frame, you can send a request to BMIHT to procure a Certificate Of Origin that should contain enough information to reconstruct the complete original Car No. See here: http://www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/archive/certificate_index.html

Given the chassis number, the original engine number can be a calculated estimate, generally accurate within +/-200 digits or so. This is not exact to recreate the original engine number on the ID plate (for 1500 cars only), but if your current engine number falls within the expected range is will most likely be the original engine (at least close enough to stamp on the ID plate).
Barney Gaylord

Thank you, Barney. Your website contains an incredible wealth of knowledge!
Russ Carnes
Russ Carnes

"Does anyone have a clear VIN / title for sale?"

Of course you realize that this would be illegal. Unless you were wanting to buy it as memorabilia, that is! Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Derek Nicholson

Read this: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/buying/buy102.htm
Barney Gaylord

Russ,
I have the Vin tag for an old parts car that has been gone for several years. There is no title but you are welcome to the vin tag. If someone did a search they would not find the car in any current records. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

Imagine my naievete! All great information.
Thanks to Barney's site I have recovered what I believe to be the chassis number to my car. Further research will be necessary to derive the VIN. On the other hand, John I am on the road so my attempts to contact you via Email have not succeeded. If you would contact me via the link listed we can see about my purchasing this interesting bit of history. russcarnes@colfaxnet.com
Russ
Russ Carnes

A similar story.
Once (1985) "someone" bought a 57 MGA for restoration. Upon disassembly the condition was deemed too deficient for a proper restoration. The frame was bent the bodyshell was damaged and it had a BMC B block 1500 engine of unknown origin as it had no tach drive. After placing an ad in the local newspaper for a MGA in any condition he purchased a complete basketcase of a 1958 MGA for $250.00. This car came with a Vin Plate but no title.
With the parts for both cars and a junkyard frame to replace the bent one from the 57 2 cars were assembled.
The best parts available along with many$$ new ones became the 57. This car was assembled from a wrecking yard frame, the 58 body shell, and an original type engine. It bears the original title and VIN number of the 57.
Once assembled the 58 had the original frame the 57 body shell and a more modern (1982) engine and transmission. It had an original VIN plate but no title. With a VIN number plate on the car a lost title was applied for. After a title search (no record found) an inspection by a county sheriff and posting a bond a new title was issued to match the VIN plate.
It appears you have enough information to create a vin plate that matches the frame. With your car and that plate a lost title procedure should net you a title. That title would be more correct than the unknown vin tag spoken of.
Good luck
Randy
R J Brown

I think the applying for a lost Title procedure works differently in some States.

There's always Broadway Title, of course.
Derek Nicholson

This thread was discussed between 06/10/2007 and 11/10/2007

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