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VIN question

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jjroth63

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Hi, This is my first post, so it is probably in the wrong place. Please let me know where I should post or move it for me.

I bought a 1966 MGB (?)
ENGINE-1.jpg
TAG-FENDER.jpg
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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?

Happy Fourth of July!

Thanks,
John
 
Welcome! That's not a factory tag.Appears that someone
scratched the numbers/letters on it.A factory tag doesn't
say "MGB" on it.Is that the car's actual ID number?
You should post this in the MG forum.
 
Yes, welcome, John!

VIN's for MGB's typically begin with "GHN" followed by numbers and letters. Check the plate on the inner passenger front fender. Here's a good guide: > MGB Vehicle Identification | Moss Motors <

And post away on the MGB side here - plenty of folks to help out.
 
The scratched tag is a factory tag….it’s the body number.
The VIN as you say, or the car number is on the tag near the oil cooler hoses.
It should start with a GH……..
 
Grantura_MKI said:
The scratched tag is a factory tag….it’s the body number.
The VIN as you say, or the car number is on the tag near the oil cooler hoses.
It should start with a GH……..
Click to expand...
so what do I have? is it a made up number? It seems to me that it could all be fake...?
 
Most likely someone didn’t read the number correctly and was never sorted or switched out the motor??
 
Unfortunately, the closeup photo is not good, but it shows:

CN141164, it almost looks "homemade."

I know it should say:
GHN3U + the car #

This is concerning to me, but when is the last time the police checked the VIN on a 57 year old car?
 

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mezy said:
Just look what i found JJ, > 1966 MG B Roadster VIN: CN141164 - CLASSIC.COM <

View attachment 90455

Looks a bit like yours, same vin number, seems a reputable auction house, if the car was dodgy i dont think they would have agreed to sell it.
Click to expand...
Hi, that must be it!
The guy I bought it from did not like it when he received it from the transportation company, he tried suing the auction house without success, I bought is for much less than he paid for it, I hope I got a good deal.
Thanks,
John
 
jjroth63 said:
Hi, that must be it!
The guy I bought it from did not like it when he received it from the transportation company, he tried suing the auction house without success, I bought is for much less than he paid for it, I hope I got a good deal.
Thanks,
John
Click to expand...
If you go to the site and click on view auction there is some information there about the car, it was sold by a dealer not a private seller,
I know none of this clears up the issue with the strange chassis number but interesting,

Here. > Decoding the MGB VIN : How-To Library : The MG Experience < is another interesting site that shows you how to decode an mg chassis number,
also shows where you can find alternative stampings on the body, on right hand floor pan, not your drivers side, is one place

If you look at the auction site there are 88 photos of the car, including underneath.
 
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I emailed the British Motor Museum, they responded quickly with this information:

"Unfortunately, the chassis number you have is completely made up. A roadster chassis number will begin GHN... and a GT with GHD...

The 'MGB' number is unfortunately not one that was ever recorded in the factory records, so we are unable to find your car using this number either I'm afraid."

This is frustrating, I asked them to try a new combination of GHN3U plus the numbers that I have.
 
jjroth63 said:
I emailed the British Motor Museum, they responded quickly with this information:

"Unfortunately, the chassis number you have is completely made up. A roadster chassis number will begin GHN... and a GT with GHD...

The 'MGB' number is unfortunately not one that was ever recorded in the factory records, so we are unable to find your car using this number either I'm afraid."

This is frustrating, I asked them to try a new combination of GHN3U plus the numbers that I have.
Click to expand...
Maybe when you get the car you can find the chassis number stamped into the body, right hand floor pan,
right hand chassis rail under the bonnet, or right hand chassis rail in the boot, apparently these stamping were required for the americam market,
keep us all posted,, looking at the pictures on the auction site the car looks pretty good.
 
When I looked at the car, I tried to get underneath, there was some rust that ate through in several spots of the "frame".
It looks like the floor pans have been replaced as the welds look rough. I am hoping to find factory numbers somewhere on the car if they are still there.

I am looking for the guy that sent this to auction, I have his title. He bought the car in August 2020, he lived in Berkely Springs West Virginia. My guy in Indianapolis bought it at auction in September 2022. This car is really getting around in the last three years, I hope it is not a money pit.

The car was supposed to be restored in 2013, but I do not believe anything at this point.

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