17 replies to this topic

[utah914]

First, I have to say this is an excellent forum.  Glad I could join.

 

We've just purchased our first Mini, a 1960 Mk1 Morris Mini-Minor and we're loving it.  I've been researching the VIN with the information available and I'm having a bit of trouble with this one, hoping someone can provide some insight.  It's the C that seems a bit out of place.  Any thoughts?

 

Looks to me like M/A2C4-27832

 

 18936210586_e0bfbfd070_z.jpg   23.7K   101 downloads

Edited by utah914, 19 June 2015 - 09:41 PM.

[mab01uk]

If no luck here try the dedicated Mk1 Mini Forum:-

http://mk1-forum.net/

 

Mk1 Performance Conversions Index Page

http://mk1-performan...k/mk1_index.htm

[A-Cell]

The whole chassis number us not correct for a Mk1 mini. What is recorded on the V5?
Is it a Morris?
A mk1 Morris RHDbwould have a prefix
M-A2S4-
and the number would be 101xxx
And there would be a suffix either A or M designating the assembly plant Longrbridge or Cowley

[utah914]

The whole chassis number us not correct for a Mk1 mini. What is recorded on the V5?
Is it a Morris?
A mk1 Morris RHDbwould have a prefix
M-A2S4-
and the number would be 101xxx
And there would be a suffix either A or M designating the assembly plant Longrbridge or Cowley

 

Yes, it is a Morris.  Thanks for clarifying.  I've updated my original post.

Based on what I think the car is, I would have expected the number to read MA2S4 like you've stated instead of MA2C4.  Odd.

Edited by utah914, 19 June 2015 - 09:41 PM.

[mab01uk]

Are you sure it is the original factory plate, they are easily bought made up and stamped, when was it imported to USA?

[utah914]

Hmmm, good question. Anywhere else on the car I can confirm?

[utah914]

I have paperwork dating back to 1960 on the original sale of the car and everything lists it as an S instead of a C. It looks like it was imported in 1993. It was restored shortly thereafter, so perhaps they had a new plate made up and someone made a mistake.

[pdaykin]

That looks like a new plate. It is in the wrong place, fixed incorrectly and just looks too nice.

However, I know some import requirements do require things to be done a little differently so it may be something to do with that rather than the restoration

[Steely]

Post a photo of your mini?

[ray.webster]

I do not believe that is the original plate. I have read elsewhere that a plate of that era would have been fixed with pk screws and the stamping done from above to recess the digits into the metal.

[mab01uk]

According to the 1959 Mini Register the following applies, but you would have to do some research to find what if anything changed for a 1960 Mini and when.......however if yours is an early 1960 car it may have been built in 1959 but registered in 1960, a BMH Heritage certificate can confirm the factory build date.

 

Quote

"Chassis ( Vin ) Number is attached to the radiator cowling with 2 self-tapping screws as above photographs standard from factory on all UK spec cars. Some export models have the chassis ( vin ) plate attached on the bulkhead or elsewhere. Morris chassis plates say Morris Motors and Austin chassis plates say Austin. Morris are stamped from above( as per photograph ) and Austins are reverse stamped so the digits are raised."

Scroll Down:-

http://1959miniregis...ations-numbers/

 

BMH Heritage Certificate:-

http://www.heritage-...rtificates.html

Edited by mab01uk, 20 June 2015 - 08:10 AM.

[62S]

A mk1 Morris RHD would have a prefix
M-A2S4-
and the number would be 101xxx

Not quite....

A Cowley built Morris would have M/A2S4 as the prefix

A Cowley built Morris would not normally have an 'M' suffix

A Longbridge built Morris would have M-A2S4 as the prefix

A Longbridge built Morris would normally have a 'A' suffix

Austin & Morris Mini chassis number ranges started @ 101 and 1960 Morris's Mini numbers started @ 11015, ending @ 57459 so it is within that range.

However, I cannot recall having come across the M/AC4 prefix before. There are other prefixes that were used on Mini's and, believe it or not, not everything is on google or the internet yet - thank goodness for good old fashioned books. Has anybody got an A-AY1 or M-AE4? These prefixes, and others, were used on Mini's.

On the plate shown the font on the plate itself and the '3' & '7' are not in the usual format so I think that is a repro plate stamped incorrectly.

[utah914]

Thanks a bunch for the excellent information. Looking through the paperwork from the original sale in 1960 it appears that the C is indeed a mistake. I've just ordered a new plate and will have it stamped with the correct details.

Does anyone have a picture of what the correct font should be? I'd also like to have this one stamped from the top as well, but I've never seen what this looks like either.

[utah914]

Here she is.  Just sorting out a few of these details before we get her registered and on the road.  We're submitting a request for a Heritage Certificate.  Anyone know what a body number would look like on one of these early ones?  We found both an FE number and a BMK number, but I'm not sure which one applies.

 

 

Edited by utah914, 24 June 2015 - 06:33 PM.

[STG95F]

BMK , Is your body number