I recall being told by Bill Meade--the owner/curator of the Registry (I say owner because he does make money off the site*)--of a fraud perpetrated by a 'restorer:'
This 'restorer' had purchased certificates from BMIHT by submitting a series of possible chassis numbers for 1956 100s. Since the majority of 1956 A-H 100s were factory 100Ms, he 'scored' on several. He then proceeded to build several counterfeit Ms and, of course, he had the certs to 'prove' it to potential buyers (I presume the BMIHT will sell a cert to anyone who provides a chassis number and the $$$). Some of the buyers submitted their cars' info to the registry, and Bill quickly determined that something was fishy. According to Bill, the counterfeiter was actually prosecuted for fraud and, IIRC, did some time and, presumably, had to make monetary remunerations to the defrauded--and probably very disappointed--owners.
That's why these borderline fraudulent eBay and BaT auctions tick me off so much; they advertise a '100M,' and only mention, buried in the details, that the car actually had the M bits fitted somewhere, at sometime (well, that, and I am protecting my investment in an authentic M). I wonder how the guy who bought the 'M' on BaT is going to feel when a knowledgeable Healey owner informs him what he has. It indirectly, at least, reflects badly on the Healey community, even though we're not responsible for the fraud. I just read an article in one of the flying magazines I subscribe to about similar frauds in the airplane sales arena, where the possible negative consequences can be more severe than buying an illegitimate automobile.
I get bragging rights for owning a factory M, but I think I could have just as much fun with a clean BN2 that has had some 'go fast' bits fitted from DWR and others and, supposedly, you can even build a faster/better car that way. But, man, people do dig the louvers and leather strap.
* Bill sells a painting pattern for the graceful curve of the cove color where it curls into the front wheel well. Although my car was already in the Registry as an 'Owner Certified' car--you only need the cert--I had to more thoroughly prove my car's provenance before he would sell me the pattern (thus making the car 'Registry Certified'). Only afterwards did I get chided by the late, great, Rich Chrysler who told me the same pattern is used on the swage line for the 6-cyl cars.