MGB VIN dating on 67 MGB

[Brinkerhoff]

I just bought a 67 MGB with VIN GHN3L 86317. It looks to be stock. Can anybody tell me what year it was built? From the Moss catalog it looks like it was built in 66. Its a roadster, runs and drives around the parking lot . I paid $500 for it. thx. Kevin

 

[drooartz]

Unfortunately I'm out of town until Friday and can't get to my reference books. If no one chimes in before then I'll look it up. Clausager's "Original MGB" is a useful reference for these cars.

A running car for $500, good deal! How bad is the body? Any pictures?

 

[Brinkerhoff]

I'll take some pictures and see if I can load them to the site. It has typical rust in the floors and sills but the door gaps are still great and it hasn't been hit anywhere thats affected its function. The engine sounds good , no o.d. but who's picky? Its a restorable MG. Solid disc wheels. Kevin

 

[Deleted member 8987]

1st digit= Make
G- MG

2nd digit= Engine Type
H- BMC B-Series engine, 1.8L (MGB)
A- BMC A-Series engine (Midget)

3rd digit= Body Type
N- 2 seated Roadster
D- GT or Coupe

4th digit= Series
3- Mk1 (1962-1967)
4- Mk2 (1968-1969)
5- Mk3 (1970-1979)

5th digit= Market
U-USA Left-hand drive
L-Left-hand drive
R-Right-hand drive

6th digit=year
Model Year
None-1968-69
A-1969-70
B-1971
C-1972
D-1973
E-1974
F-1975
G-1976
H-1977
J-1978
L-1979
7th digits= Car Number

Makes yours a:

MGB, "B" series 1800 engine, 2-seat roadster, Mk1 (1962-1967), Left-hand drive, but where you have a blank in your VIN, should be another letter indicating actual year, or, if none, 68-69.

 

[drooartz]

I just bought a 67 MGB with VIN GHN3L 86317.

Looked up your VIN in the "Original MGB" book and that number makes it built in the first half of 1966. Nice find!

 

[Brinkerhoff]

Thanks Drew. I'm an addict and will buy anything old and British that comes my way. This one is a little different than others I've had , in that the ignition switch is not on the dash, its a lockable type on the steering column. The vin tag is a little different also but the number is quite legible. I wonder if it was not exported to another country originally? I don't have the "Original MGB". I've got "Original MGA, E type, Healey" but no MGB. Kevin

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Kevin -

Just checked Clausager's book. Looks like it's an early model from one of the European countries that required a lock on the column. Is it a steel dash? If so, and it was a car that went to one of those countries, there should be a hole in the dash with a plug where the ignition switch would have been.

This is all news to me - pretty neat car, if that's what it is.

 

[drooartz]

Very cool find, Kevin. See if you can pick up a copy of that book, it's very handy to see what would be correct for your car (I find such things interesting). My MGB is a UK home market (RHD) car, and I found it fun to figure out little unique things that it has.

The Heritage certificate could very well tell you where it was originally imported to.

 

[Brinkerhoff]

I saw the car sitting on a car dolly . The po said he was taking it to the scrapyard where they were going to give him $175 for it. He'd taken it to a local shop to have the brakes fixed ( pedal needs to be pumped)but they told him the unibody was rusted out and the car was unsafe to drive ! You gotta love it ! Being the shrewd negotiator I am , I offered $500 for it if he'd deliver it across town and leave the new tires on it.