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MG MGA - new guy here

Actually not so new ( I am 70 ) and lurking for a long at this MGA forum. I am familiar with the TD forum and have two TD's . After some carful consideration the treasurer agreed to expand my collection of cars with another one. It has to be a MGA period.
I found a A here in Canada seems not to bad of a deal
but the numbers found are confusing me a bit. Barney's website could not give the answer also.
Here is my question : the car has engine number HR 143 19286.

The VIN : HDK - 4353452 All this according to the owners info .

Could one of you give me please some information about the possible year of construction for this vehicle ??

Does the engine number relates to a 1500 or 1600 ,

Thank you for reading and time,

Gerard
Gerard Hengeveld

Hi Gerard
The engine number doesnt seem to tie up to my reference as an MGA engine. Hopefully someone else may be able to throw some light on that.

The Vin suggests
H= MGA 1500cc
D= Roadster (not coupe)
K = Orient Red
4 = North America market
3 = cellulose paint
53452 = car number. the 1500 went up to 68,850

Good luck, Graham
Graham V

Can you get a photo of the engine, i.e., is it an MGA engine?
Gene Gillam

Gene

mailed you a picture no eng, no plate visible,

Graham V now even more confusion on this side of the pond by looking at the Moss catalogue again different info. It seems that I am not the only one who doesn't
understand the codes : Now who is right, I don't know.
But have appreciated the input from the forum members, more to investigate. The reason I posted the question here I don't want to buy a car with numbers who don't match in any form or the seller may now or not about this . I am not in for any nasty confrontation with the Law

Gerard
Gerard Hengeveld

Just found. This on the web that may help http://www.mgaregister.nl/indentification.html
Graham V

There is also thiseb page too :

http://www.nostalgicbritishcars.com/pdf/MGA.pdf

M Elliott

Engine No. should begin with a G
Art Pearse

Graham thanks for the lead to the Dutch website however me being Dutch the site was known to me

M Elliot wow a wealth of info Many thanks very useful ( not only to me )

Gerard
Gerard Hengeveld

Gerard, an engine with an HR prefix is probably not an MG engine, maybe another make? Or maybe it's a reconditioned engine, but even then not the Gold Seal type. Can you please post the picture here, we might be able to identify it.
Rutger Booy

Gerard sent me this photo he has of the engine and has allowed me to post it to the site. It appears to be an MGA engine...Gerard also said the info was given to him by the present keeper of the car.


Gene Gillam

Gene you are a great guy as so many here on this board.
gerard
Gerard Hengeveld

Gerard, it is not unusual for an original engine number plate to be missing (I assume its not on the block). A standard routine during engine rebuilding is to dip the block in a chemical solution for cleaning; unfortunately this can also eat away at the plate. This engine sure looks like an A and nicely presented. Perhaps you can ask the owner where he obtained the engine number. Was it just passed down to him verbally or via paperwork, or is there an actual number somewhere on the block or in the engine compartment that he can point to. Also, if the seller had previously registered it and has appropriate paperwork, I'm not sure if you should have any concerns about legality here,but its good that you're taking the time to check everything out!
Nick Kopernik

Guy's I am sure the seller is a honest man but as Nick above stated " it is good to take your time to check everything out " The seller has no history and bought the car from a dealer about 6 years ago. As I am always somewhat suspicious about car dealers ( I know there are trustable ones also ) I'll search the car over and over. The seller is searching for the chassis number on the frame and will tell me soonest if that matches the new Moss data plate on the fire wall.

Gerard
Gerard Hengeveld

This thread was discussed between 19/08/2015 and 21/08/2015

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