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Heritage certificate
- Thread starter ecutr6
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When I restored the TR3, I sent off for one. Interesting to have, but not useful for much, apart from knowing the "pedigree."
By the way, my certificate, as I've stated here before, was inaccurate with regard to the trim color. It also stated that the car was built without a heater, which mine had. Could have been dealer installed, but I doubt the dealer would have changed all the interior parts out from blue leather (on the certificate) to stone vinyl (what was on the car)!
I've since restored a '73 MGB, sold the TR3, and am beginning the restoration of an '80 TR8. Think I'll probably spend the money on parts!
Guess the answer is a mixed bag - depends on whether you want to add it to your documentation.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey
By the way, my certificate, as I've stated here before, was inaccurate with regard to the trim color. It also stated that the car was built without a heater, which mine had. Could have been dealer installed, but I doubt the dealer would have changed all the interior parts out from blue leather (on the certificate) to stone vinyl (what was on the car)!
I've since restored a '73 MGB, sold the TR3, and am beginning the restoration of an '80 TR8. Think I'll probably spend the money on parts!
Guess the answer is a mixed bag - depends on whether you want to add it to your documentation.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Mickey
trfourtune
Jedi Knight
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hi, i have one for my tr4. it appeared accurate and includes the original dealer the car was sent to. to me it was worth it.
rob
rob
Alan_Myers
Luke Skywalker
Offline
Hi,
I think the certificate is very useful if you intend to restore the car with an eye toward originality. My car had been through some repairs over the years and I found some body parts that were originally painted red and others that were painted white (altho the car was orange, yuck, when I bought it). The interior was black, but some parts appeared to have been blue.
Once I got the certificate I was able to confirm the car had been Spa White outside, Midnight Blue inside, with leather trimmed seats. This is an unusual color combination, which might explain ususual door frame moulding on the car, not the usual "furflex" or "fuzzies". Maybe that was not available to match Midnight Blue.
Finally, it confirmed the build year of my car was late 1962, although it's registered in the year it sold, early 1964 and all the documents state it's a 1964. This can be important when ordering parts that might have been changed during the production run (but problems can also often be avoided and approximate build year can be determined by chassis, engine and gearbox numbers).
Anyway, I'm pleased to have the certificate and would order another for any future LBC I might get, just for the background info, documentation and history of the car. I would think it might be valuable, too, if you ever went to sell the car, to prove matching engine numbers, etc. But, different models have different info recorded, and it's not always complete or perfect.
Cheers!
I think the certificate is very useful if you intend to restore the car with an eye toward originality. My car had been through some repairs over the years and I found some body parts that were originally painted red and others that were painted white (altho the car was orange, yuck, when I bought it). The interior was black, but some parts appeared to have been blue.
Once I got the certificate I was able to confirm the car had been Spa White outside, Midnight Blue inside, with leather trimmed seats. This is an unusual color combination, which might explain ususual door frame moulding on the car, not the usual "furflex" or "fuzzies". Maybe that was not available to match Midnight Blue.
Finally, it confirmed the build year of my car was late 1962, although it's registered in the year it sold, early 1964 and all the documents state it's a 1964. This can be important when ordering parts that might have been changed during the production run (but problems can also often be avoided and approximate build year can be determined by chassis, engine and gearbox numbers).
Anyway, I'm pleased to have the certificate and would order another for any future LBC I might get, just for the background info, documentation and history of the car. I would think it might be valuable, too, if you ever went to sell the car, to prove matching engine numbers, etc. But, different models have different info recorded, and it's not always complete or perfect.
Cheers!
dklawson
Yoda
Offline
I got a certificate for my Mini as I wanted to confirm what I had been told about it's history and I wanted confirmation that the engine and body had the correct and matching numbers. In that case it was worth it to me.
I did not order a certificate for our GT6 as my father-in-law bought it new while on an assignment in the U.K. It's been in the family since its purchase so we pretty much know what's been done to the car and why.
I did not order a certificate for our GT6 as my father-in-law bought it new while on an assignment in the U.K. It's been in the family since its purchase so we pretty much know what's been done to the car and why.
Offline
[ QUOTE ]
When I restored the TR3, I sent off for one. Interesting to have, but not useful for much, apart from knowing the "pedigree."
By the way, my certificate, as I've stated here before, was inaccurate with regard to the trim color. It also stated that the car was built without a heater, which mine had. Could have been dealer installed, but I doubt the dealer would have changed all the interior parts out from blue leather (on the certificate) to stone vinyl (what was on the car)!
[/ QUOTE ]Actually, a dealer changing out an interior back then was NOT completely out of the question...if it meant making a good sale! That said, the actual records are reputed to be quite accurate for the most part; it's the transcription that often leads to the errors you see. Especially with the older cars, the records used to make the certificates were largely handwritten...and then transferred to a microfilm format, which can be difficult to read.
On the plus side, I've heard a number of stories where folks received such known-to-be-wrong certificates, contacted BMIHT, and got corrected ones. Worth a try for the money spent on these.
Ultimately, whether they really are "worth it" is a personal choice. For me, I've had four cars researched; turns out two of the four cars were "Personal Export Delivery" models. That a: is an amazing coincidence that two such Heralds ended up with this Herald nut, and b: shed a lot of light on details of each car that seemed strange for cars built for the US market (example: one early saloon I have was built to US spec's, including LH steering, but all the lamp units (head, side/flasher, tail and license plate lamp) were to "home market" specification! Apparently the car was ordered here, bought and paid for in England, and then used there for a lengthy period of time. It also probably explains why this particular dar, built in April 1960, was first titled in the US as a 1962 model.
When I restored the TR3, I sent off for one. Interesting to have, but not useful for much, apart from knowing the "pedigree."
By the way, my certificate, as I've stated here before, was inaccurate with regard to the trim color. It also stated that the car was built without a heater, which mine had. Could have been dealer installed, but I doubt the dealer would have changed all the interior parts out from blue leather (on the certificate) to stone vinyl (what was on the car)!
[/ QUOTE ]Actually, a dealer changing out an interior back then was NOT completely out of the question...if it meant making a good sale! That said, the actual records are reputed to be quite accurate for the most part; it's the transcription that often leads to the errors you see. Especially with the older cars, the records used to make the certificates were largely handwritten...and then transferred to a microfilm format, which can be difficult to read.
On the plus side, I've heard a number of stories where folks received such known-to-be-wrong certificates, contacted BMIHT, and got corrected ones. Worth a try for the money spent on these.
Ultimately, whether they really are "worth it" is a personal choice. For me, I've had four cars researched; turns out two of the four cars were "Personal Export Delivery" models. That a: is an amazing coincidence that two such Heralds ended up with this Herald nut, and b: shed a lot of light on details of each car that seemed strange for cars built for the US market (example: one early saloon I have was built to US spec's, including LH steering, but all the lamp units (head, side/flasher, tail and license plate lamp) were to "home market" specification! Apparently the car was ordered here, bought and paid for in England, and then used there for a lengthy period of time. It also probably explains why this particular dar, built in April 1960, was first titled in the US as a 1962 model.
JamesWilson
Yoda
Offline
I've got one and found it interesting. It described the equipment and colors originally on the car. The most interesting thing was knowing exactly when it was built- and I aim to get it back on the road for its 40th "birthday"....
Alan_Myers
Luke Skywalker
Offline
One other minor thing...
Many of these cars were registered the year sold, unlike today when cars are registered the year built (see my earlier response regarding my TR4).
Some U.S. DMV departments will accept the certificate information to "correct" this, if you wanted to do so.
This *might* be important if/when a car were re-sold in years to come, or a potential buyer might not care at all.
Many of these cars were registered the year sold, unlike today when cars are registered the year built (see my earlier response regarding my TR4).
Some U.S. DMV departments will accept the certificate information to "correct" this, if you wanted to do so.
This *might* be important if/when a car were re-sold in years to come, or a potential buyer might not care at all.
D
Deleted member 451
Guest
Guest
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I have a good one.
My car was built in Jan. of 60, but is documented as a 59.
My car was built in Jan. of 60, but is documented as a 59.
I would say that a certificate will help you restore the car back to its original condition and sine it seems you are planning to just that it cannot hurt. Good luck with the restoration and let me know when you need the use of the pit! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif
Geo Hahn
Yoda
Offline
The certificate was useful for me as it proves the engine is original even though it carries an engine number 6,548 lower than the commission number. It seems my TR4 was built twice... once in early '64 when it got an engine number and body number in the 29xxx range and again when it got a commission plate with a 36xxx number. When I had the plate off I found a second set of holes where the first commission plate had been attached and removed.
No idea what happened but since the current numbers agree with the BMHIT cert then I assume it happened in Coventry.
No idea what happened but since the current numbers agree with the BMHIT cert then I assume it happened in Coventry.
michalotti_tr
Jedi Knight
Offline
Another thing the Heritage certificate can show you is if it was originally bought and delivered in the UK it can show you the original owner and licence plate assigned to it - if you're interested in such things. My TR4A was originally bought in England, so I (eventually) plan on aquiring the Heritage certificate to get those details.