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MGB Just bought a 1966 MGB

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jjroth63

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Hi,

I have some questions:

What year is my car? The title says 1966, but who really knows what it is, the "VIN" is a mystery.

I bought a 1966 MGB (?) on 7/3/2023 from a guy near Indianapolis Indiana. He has only had the car for six months, be bought it from an auction in Maryland. I live near Chicago and I will pick the car up from him within the next week, I imagine the fun will begin then.

There is a new "VIN" tag in the engine bay and an engraving on the inside of the driver's fender, neither marking looks factory. The title and bill of sale both show the number on the new "Vin" tag, are there other markings that can help me verify the factory identification numbers. looking online, I think the number should start with: GHN3U and then a five digit serial number.

but this number is on the title:
CN141164

Can anyone help with my VIN search?

It looks like I have an alternator, can anyone confirm?

Neither door closes flush with the car, they both seem to latch, but not go flush. FRONT-3.jpgSIDE-DRIVERS-2.jpgSIDE-PASSENGER-1.jpgREAR-2.jpgENGINE-1.jpg2023-07-03 15.48.47-2.jpgENGINE-2.jpgINTERIOR-1.jpgINTERIOR-2.jpgDASH-1.jpg

Thanks,
John
 
I am sorry, I don’t know what was modified, I do not have the car yet. I don’t know what was modified over the last 57 years
 
Battery relocated to engine compartment (from beneath rear deck - originally [2] 6 volt batts). Alternator instead of generator. Weber downdraft carb, replacing dual SU's. Looks like a later model master brake cylinder. Later model wheels. Bumperettes removed. Someone else with a sharper eye may spot something.
 
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I'll reserve my opinion on this car. There are too many questionable things about it, the scratched in serial number ??? Hope you don't have difficulties registering it.
 
Distributor cap is a later one, no idea about the dizzy itself. Oil filter has been changed to a "screw-on" cannister type. Upper heater control knob is "strange", the switch for headlights and the windshield washer pump are different, the blank hole for the overdrive switch has an odd "cover" on it.
 
Push button exterior door handles replaced pull handles mid-year 1965. Reverse lamps were a mid-year 1967 addition. That means your car likely IS a 1966, although it could possibly be a late '65 or early '67. So much has been changed it's hard to nail it down exactly since you don't know what else might have been done to the car over the last half century.
Other obvious changes: the front turn signal/parking light lenses would have originally been clear/white - a common change since I believe the original color was unavailable at one time....and some owners also changed them out to amber anyway. The steering wheel is obviously aftermarket and the seats have been reupholstered in a non-original style.
 
After my research of the VIN and the undisclosed photos (of rust damage) from the auction site where the seller bought the car, I was advised to pass on this car. It looks like I am back on the 1966 MGB hunt. I requested my deposit be returned to me and he sent the funds.

I do not know what the seller will do with a car with a "fake" VIN.

Hopefully I will post another car soon.

Thanks for everyone's help, advice and good wishes.

John
 
Good news on the seller refunding your money! (y) Wise move on your part on backing out of the deal. I think you will be a little more reserved about shelling out monies until you know for sure what your buying! There is a lot of nice MGBs out there, just use a little more caution. PJ
 
Good you got the funds returned. The '66~'67 MGB was the pinnacle for the cars, after that the pollution regulations emasculated the cars slowly over time. Pre-1965~6 the three main bearing engines weren't as stout as the five main units. Engine tag numbers should start with "18GB-xxxx" for the five-main (if a tag exists). The instruments and switches didn't change until 1967, when the washer fluid pump and headlight switch were swapped.

These shots are of our '65, something to use as visual reference & information. The center console is one I constructed, but the switches in the dash itself are as original from '62 to '66. Steering wheel is from the commemorative "MGB-GT Special" in later production, so not original. Driver's seat is a Recaro racing shell replacement, passenger seat is a later one with headrest. Radio is a concession to modernity.

5019sm.JPG


BdashSM.JPG
 
jjroth63 said:
Hi,

I have some questions:

What year is my car? The title says 1966, but who really knows what it is, the "VIN" is a mystery.

I bought a 1966 MGB (?) on 7/3/2023 from a guy near Indianapolis Indiana. He has only had the car for six months, be bought it from an auction in Maryland. I live near Chicago and I will pick the car up from him within the next week, I imagine the fun will begin then.

There is a new "VIN" tag in the engine bay and an engraving on the inside of the driver's fender, neither marking looks factory. The title and bill of sale both show the number on the new "Vin" tag, are there other markings that can help me verify the factory identification numbers. looking online, I think the number should start with: GHN3U and then a five digit serial number.

but this number is on the title:
CN141164

Can anyone help with my VIN search?

It looks like I have an alternator, can anyone confirm?

Neither door closes flush with the car, they both seem to latch, but not go flush.View attachment 90426View attachment 90427View attachment 90428View attachment 90429View attachment 90430View attachment 90431View attachment 90432View attachment 90433View attachment 90434View attachment 90435

Thanks,
John
Click to expand...
Bugeyes and Sprites were marked in crayon under the hood and behind the dash. The number inside the driver side fender is not the vin. Vin tags in the engine bay were held on with screws. Check with the Bugeye Guy, he may know.
 
Grantura_MKI said:
Nice heal toe converted accelerator pedal. Is that a Paddy H. unit?
Click to expand...
Yes it is, D. Good eye! They were a "hen's tooth" for a while, but I understand someone has started offering them again. This one has been with me since about 1969, the steering wheel and factory hardtop as well. All have been on three of my cars over the decades.
 
Mine still has the banjo wheel. It’s pretty much as it came, with the exception of a front anti roll bar fitted.
Had a hard top, but sold it on many years ago.
Had a wood wheel on my last MGC GT.
 
DrEntropy said:
Good you got the funds returned. The '66~'67 MGB was the pinnacle for the cars, after that the pollution regulations emasculated the cars slowly over time. Pre-1965~6 the three main bearing engines weren't as stout as the five main units. Engine tag numbers should start with "18GB-xxxx" for the five-main (if a tag exists). The instruments and switches didn't change until 1967, when the washer fluid pump and headlight switch were swapped.

These shots are of our '65, something to use as visual reference & information. The center console is one I constructed, but the switches in the dash itself are as original from '62 to '66. Steering wheel is from the commemorative "MGB-GT Special" in later production, so not original. Driver's seat is a Recaro racing shell replacement, passenger seat is a later one with headrest. Radio is a concession to modernity.

View attachment 90486

View attachment 90487
Click to expand...

Almost everyone knows that the '67's were best (because I own one).
You need to trade me that steering wheel,as (I believe) I have a "Special",
but no Special steering wheel.
 
AngliaGT said:
Almost everyone knows that the '67's were best (because I own one).
You need to trade me that steering wheel,as (I believe) I have a "Special",
but no Special steering wheel.
Click to expand...
Sorry, Doug. After nearly fifty-five years with it, I'll quote a Hollywood actor: "...from my cold, dead hand!" :p
 
Then remember me in your Will.
Let's make a deal - I'll go to your funeral
if you'll go to mine.
 
I'll be there in spirit...
 
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