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100-4 Vin# Question?

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Dave Richards

Dave Richards

Jedi Knight
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What can we tell about this 1956 100-4 from it’s vin #? IB232133M, is it even a legitimate number? And, most importantly, and naively, is the ‘M’ significant? This car is located very close to me (in my home town) and I’ve emailed to ask to see it, so if it’s legitimate and it goes beyond my bidding capability, I’d be happy to report my findings.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4640615208

Thanks, Dave Richards
 
I believe the number quoted is actually the engine number. The corresponding serial number would be BN2L232133 which would appear on the body tag. Unless, of course, the engine is not original to the body. The letter M on the engine number is not particularly significant, they all have it. One theory is that it stands for the Morris plant where the engine may have been assembled.

The books indicate that this number was built between April & July 1956. Since the last BN2 built was #233455 in July 1956, this car was in the latter part of the production run. I have #231459 which was built 29 March, 1956.

From the few distant pics & the description, I've no idea what condition the car is in. If you bought it for $10,000 to $15,000, you could easily spend another $15,000 or more making it into a nice car.
D
 
Thanks, Dave. From his emails, he describes a dry environment and a relatively rust-free car, but who knows until I actually see it. I've seen really nice restored BN-2's sell recently in the $30,000 range, and I suspect I could easily spend $20k on work to this car. The car's very close to me, but he's in another state, so I'm going to try and get a look by late this week. Thanks again.

BTW, as I understand it, any BN2 would be a good candidate for a LeMans package restoration, do you agree with that?
 
Hi Dave,
The question comes down to - Do you want to spend $30,000 on a very nice driver that someone else has put hundreds of hours into, or spend several years & $20,000 additional on something less? Depends on if you want to be driving a reasonably nice car while you finish small details, or spending a lot of time & money starting from scratch, & not driving the car. Is the "work" or the "driving" your goal.

I got a reasonably nice, rust free car, which had a very good body & frame, nearly perfect 15 year old paint. I still put another $25,000 into running gear, interior, & drive train, to complete a rolling restoration. I had a presentable car to drive during the several years of finishing touches. I have considerably more money into it than it would sell for, as most restorations end up. It was worth it to me to be able to drive it several years earlier.

I have most of the LeMans additions, plus a DW aluminum cylinder head & exhaust. Much more fun to drive with the added power. I didn't go with the louvered hood & strap.

The two AH club magazine classified sections frequently have some nice BN2's for sale where the owner has put much more into the car than it can sell for. Keep looking.
D
 
It's funny you should say that, I was driving around this evening thinking the same thing! Thanks.
 
If I had to do it over again I would spend the 30-40K on a "finished" car.
 
Wisely spoken, I've hatched an idea to see how other's might think...
 
Hello all: I went to see the 100-4 described on eBay by the two poor quality pictures. From the photos one would think the car is in boxes and stripped apart, but what I found was a car that was relatively intact, sans front grille. I even found the frame for the hood intact and operable.

The car was mostly over-sprayed in a gray primer, but that belies the fact that the body is in really good condition. There was an indication of a bad repair behind the driver’s door, but an inspection behind the wing revealed no signs of corrosion. In fact, on the entire car, there was only corrosion on the driver side trunk floor in one spot.

The odometer reads 28,565 miles, which I found dubious until we lifted the car and took a look at the undercarriage and a close look at the interior.

I think the actual miles might be this low! The interior pieces are aged but show wear consistent with the mileage. The engine, engine compartment, underside, trunk compartment, floorboards, etc., all looked consistent with this mileage. (I took about 25 digital photos.) There were not even any of the usual jacking dents in the frame pieces.

This has given me food for thought. The car obviously needs to be restored. I think somewhere around $20k - $25k would get it in really nice shape. The question I’d like to pose is: Isn’t a car with this low mileage, (provided it could be collaborated,) a more likely candidate for restoration than most others? And, second, would the expenditure be justified financially.

Remember, I already have a BJ8 to drive and putter around with.

BTW, Dave Russell, you were right on with the Car’s ID #: 232133.
 
[ QUOTE ]
This has given me food for thought. The car obviously needs to be restored. I think somewhere around $20k - $25k would get it in really nice shape. The question I’d like to pose is: Isn’t a car with this low mileage, (provided it could be corroborated,) a more likely candidate for restoration than most others? And, second, would the expenditure be justified financially.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think it's the age more than the mileage that needs to be considered. 50 years of rust, weathering & inactivity take a toll even when the car isn't driven or especially when it isn't driven. A car from a dry climate would be most likely to survive. Where has it spent it's life? A good restoration would probably cost more like $40k. You might come out lucky, but consider it carefully. AH parts aren't cheap even if you do all of the labor yourself.

I don't think you can come out right side up financially unless you got the car for zero. Or you just want something to put 1,000 hours plus, into. Only you can decide if it's justified.
D
 
Hi all.
Being that this car is in my home town Dave invited me to come look at it with him. I was stuck with kid duty thismorning, but he stopped over afterwards and shared his pictures with me.
I would say from the pics that it's a very solid and relativly complete project car. I don't think I was any help in his decision of what to do about it but I wanted to say it was enjoyable meeting Dave and his sons. I hope you find the perfect 100-4 for what you want, and I hope we meet again.
It's always neat to put a face with the name of a fellow BCFer.
 
refering, of couurse to Dave R's solid counsel. Banjo, it was a great to meet your and see your own projects, promise me a ride in that great limo Jag...
 
Now I know how Limo companies make so much money.
So far I've promised rides to: The previous owner, my neighbor, my brother and his soon to be bride, all of my immediate family on both mine and my wifes side, and everyone who has happend to stop by and see it.
I'd be honored to give rides. That's what those cars were built for, and I'd have a blast doing it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Just don't hold your breath waiting for it to get done.
And yes, I second the counsel offered in this forum. It was discussed in our rondezvous and I believe this place is an excellent source of accurate knowlage, especially about Healeys. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
I will now stop hijacking this thread and return you all to your regularly scheduled discussion. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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