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"Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Mightymidget

Is the 580 preceded by AN5L/. If so, that's a very early model produced around 14 April 1958.
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

It has a Ford V-8 stuffed in it with all the poor engineered relays coil, wires etc..mostly the Ford generator is mounted right over tag.they even had to cut out a 2"x2" slot in inner fender to make that work....... need to remove some of this junk so I can see the whole tag........
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

It has a "FORD V8" Engine!!

"WOW"; Sure would like to see a pic of that!!

Russ
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Howdy Folks,

I`m looking to buy a few items. I would think someone out there has these.

(1) Workshop Manual for the Bugeye:

(2) The Orig. Healey by "Terry Horlers":

(3) Dash Board for a `59 Bugeye without any cutouts for a radio etc. Must be in Good to Exc. Condition.

Thanx, Russ

PS: I may contacted directly via email at: toysrus@ptd.net
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

on the drivers door jam I found thes numbers

first letter was unreadable so this starts on second letter

N618350 I could not figure out if this is vin# or not
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Sounds like the first <span style="font-style: italic">two </span>letters are unreadable. GAN for Midget, HAN for Sprite. That's what passes for the VIN #.
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

HAN618350 That would be acomplete Vin # for a 1958 Sprite ?
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

mightymidget said:
HAN618350 That would be acomplete Vin # for a 1958 Sprite ?

"All" pre 1961 Sprites (Bugeye) VINs started with "H-AN5"-(Then three to five digits). There were "48,999" Spridgets Mfg. in total.

In Feb. 1961; The VIN #s started with "H-AN6"-(Three to five digits thereafter). These No`s were for Sprites with a 948cc engine and were designated as "MKII":

In Sept. 1962; The VINs started with "H-AN7" (Five Digits thereafter). These were for Sprites with a 1098cc engine and were designated as "MKII":

In March 1964; The VINs started with "H-AN8" (Five Digits thereafter). These were for Sprites with a 1098cc engine and were designated as "MKIII":

In Oct. 1966; The VINs started with "H-AN9" (Five Digits thereafter). These were for Sprites with a 1275cc engine and were designated as "MKIV" & so on:

Relative to the VIN plate; They are typ. mounted on the LH Inner Wheel arch (Drivers Side) and "NOT" on the door jamb.

I hope this helps as it appears we`re all learning a little bit here.

Regards, Russ
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

I went out and nursed the Bonnet open and found the frame tag as you referred, it is different than cowl plate

"AN5L18715" this seems the most likly a truthful Vin # for this car. I would assume the body numbers don't always match Vin #
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

AN5L/18715 produced mid-June 1959. Original engine 9CH18420 also produced June 1959.
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Under the production link I see where they made 8729 for the 1958 year, am I reading numbers right (L18715) that mine was one of the very last ones made in 1958
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

AN5L 18715 was produced in June 1959.
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

mightymidget said:
Under the production link I see where they made 8729 for the 1958 year, am I reading numbers right (L18715) that mine was one of the very last ones made in 1958

Hi mightymidget,

It appears that you have the "18,715" car mfg. Therefore, "NO"; It`s not a `58 but in fact a `59 Bugeye.

Russ
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

I'm reading if you remove the 501 begining number that puts my car at the 18,214 one produced.
there for it would have been within the 1958 model year the last number would be in area of 19,230

I am figuring 514 were made after mine in that model year.

One of the reasons I am so interested is my other 1958 Sprite might have a very early production date, have not confirmed yet.

It would give me foddler for car shows to have the pair at such odds.
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Once again, if your VIN is AN5L/18715 it is not a 1958 rather it was produced in June 1959. According to Terry Horler, the first car produced in 1959 was AN5/ 8927. I own AN5L/ 9382 which according to my British Motor Heritage Trust certificate was produced on 2 January 1959.
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

So not only does my sprite have the wrong vin # it is the wrong year on title?...........sounds like trouble for me. Anyone know of a service that can do a title search?
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

Hey mightymidget,

Why don`t you take a pic of your Title and post it here.

Then we can see exactly what you "Do or Don`t" have!

It surely sounds like the Title you "Do" have; Has in fact the wrong #`s for the VIN & the Year as well.

I don`t know of anyone except that what you may want to do is bring to the SC DMV & ask them what they can do.

Good Luck,

Russ
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

toysrrus said:
Hey mightymidget,

Why don`t you take a pic of your Title and post it here.

Then we can see exactly what you "Do or Don`t" have!

It surely sounds like the Title you "Do" have; Has in fact the wrong #`s for the VIN & the Year as well.

I don`t know of anyone except that what you may want to do is bring to the SC DMV & ask them what they can do.

Good Luck,

Russ

I am scared that would be like taking my old lady to a "Hells Angel Meet" I may never see my car again
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

I wonder if a British Motor Heritage Trust certificate for your car might help you with the SC DMV?
 
Re: "Need Info" on "New" Spridget VIN & Engine No`s:

mightymidget said:
So not only does my sprite have the wrong vin # it is the wrong year on title?...........sounds like trouble for me. Anyone know of a service that can do a title search?

What "EXACTLY" does it say on the Title relative to the year & VIN #??

Russ
 
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