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MG MGA - Vin/Chassis Number - Engine Number

My 1959 MGA has just passed its MOT.

I have now received a letter from the DVLA indicating that there is a discrepancy with the Vin number and the engine number.

I know that my car was originally exported to the USA when built and back to the UK in the early 1990s. I asked the question some time ago why my VIN number did not follow the standard MG format and was informed that the USA used to often use the engine number as the VIN number on the documentation.

Now that the car is in the UK and we have an electronic MOT tests with a central database it appears that the car has a different number on the VIN plate under the bonnet than the one on the documentation.

Has anyone else had this issue, what should be done, is there any way that I can get an original MG number (or something close)?

V5 Document VIN Number 15RUH9292
V5 Documentation Engine Number N/A

VIN Plate under Bonnet HDK23/1489
Engine Number on Engine 15RUH9292


Garreth
G T Smith

Contact the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust at gaydon (sp). The can issue you a certificate.

I'm sure that would clarify things.

Good luck,

Jeff
J Delk

B.M.H.I.T won't help with Engine numbers though as they were not recorded.

http://www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/archive/certificate.html

Looks like your MOT guy has keyed the engine number into the VIN number field.

They usually send an inspector out, so just ask for that and let them do the leg work.

Mark.
Mark Hester

Guys,

I don't think that the BMHIT will be able to do anything. I could work out some of the number, but without the original number from the chassis (nothing left, I have been over it with a magnifying glass. I'm stuck.

The MOT guy keyed in what was on the VIN which is not the engine number and not what is on the log book!

Any more suggestions?

Garreth
Garreth

Garreth,

If you can't find the RH chassis number, using chalk is your best bet.

Then the RH chassis number may also give you a clue to when the chassis was made. There is a formula that must be applied. If you post the number, I can send it off for you to the guys who can work it out.

Surely the import documentation from the 90's must survive somewhere, if you contact the importers and know perhaps it's old number plates.


Feel along the RH chassis rail under where your legs go for a small indentation.
If you can make out some of the numbers, this link may help.

http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgarh/register/list.htm

Cheers
Mark.
Mark Hester

Mark,


I can assure you that there are no marks at all, having cleaned it, looked with a magnifying glass and painted it again.


Garreth
G T Smith

Garreth,
The number is on the right Chassis cross member as described. It has been stated on these posts that the number might be on the left cross member instead. You might look there. You could also go to the Police station and have them check with their chemical dyes. These are used in the States to locate filed off serial numbers and you should have some luck with that.
mike parker

Mike

Whilst you are correct, there is also a number on the left cross-member on the front edge, as opposed the the rear edge on the right. The number on the left side is the frame number. Apparently each chassis was given a consecutive number as it was welded up. Article about it in the MGA 50th Anniversary Yearbook. There is a sort of relationship between the frame number and the chassis number but it varies by about 10100 +200 to +400.

For instance my frame welding number is K45126 and my chassis number is 55600 , giving +10100 +374

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,


It looks like the number on my VIN plate could be the frame number or close?

If they decide to send out an inspector, what should I do? Is it possible that I could come up with a number and checking that this is not being used?



Garreth

Garreth

Garreth,

What's the LH chassis number?

If you don't want to post it here, then email me and we can work from that number backwards. But it's only going to be an approximation.

There are may experts who do not look on this BBS that we can ask.

Cheers
MARK

Mark Hester

Can someone who has actually seen this LH chassis number please give your best description as to where exactly it is. Top surface? Inside or outside vertical surface? Losation fore or aft of front shock? Height of numbers? Always starts with a K?

I've several frame I'd like to check/identify.

Thanks.

Derek Nicholson

Derek

It is on the front edge of the horizontal upper surface, 3 or 4 inches outboard of the tunneling, much the same as the right hand numbers on the back edge of the upper surface. You can probably feel for the location where the hammering has depressed the surface.

The prefix letter varies and would appear to be a letter appropriate to a specific welding team or inspector. I will come back with letter sizing later if someone else doesn't supply the information in the meantime.

I took a photo of my number so I will post it on my website later.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Derek

Me again. Only just spotted your reference to location. It is on the floorboard cross-strut that divides the two main flat floorboards just infront of the left cockpit seat. The numbers are approximately in line with the rear floorboard first captive bolt hole outboard of the tunnelling.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Derek

The letter and numbers are 1/4 inch (6mm) high. Check your email.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Picture of my left side frame number is at: http://freespace.virgin.net/stephen.gyles/odds_and_sods.htm

I had to do some paintwork repair after finding the number!

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 07/08/2006 and 10/08/2006

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