MGA Forum

Looking for a way to find an original VIN number for my 59 MGA. I purchased it with the original VIN Tag missing and replaced with an assigned VIN number by the state of Iowa. Are there any markings any place else on the frame or other place that I can look for? Is there any way to match the engine back to the original car number. The 1622 engine is within a couple hundred numbers of the first produced based on the engine number. The car although currently going through a restore is in great shape. It lived the majority of it's life in Arizona and West Texas and I have found almost no rust. It sat for the last 20 years as you see it in the picture. Started on the fourth turn after cleaning out the fuel tank and lines, changing the oil and new plugs.

If you're really lucky and there is no rust on the chassis, the number was also stamped on the cross brace running across the floor on the passenger side of the car. Lift the carpet on the passenger side and past the point where it dips down flush with the plywood floor is where it should be. Most of these stampings have rusted due to wet carpet and are obliterated, but as you say, it's not rusty, you may be lucky. Clean the area carefully, you wouldn't want to destroy it by being too aggressive.
Judging by the rear lights, your car is a 1600 Mk 1 and should have a 1588 engine and not 1622. It will be cast into the side of the block on the drivers side front down low. If it is a 1600 Mk2 engine it will have 1622 cast in. If a 1588 it will have 1600.
The engine numbers don't coincide with the chassis or car number, but run within a range. NAMGAR and some other sites have compiled charts that can get you close to certain your car has its original engine, but you need to know the chassis number to start with.

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"Time flies like an arrow......Fruit flies like a banana"

Info from the MGA Guru: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/buying/buy101c.htm

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Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

Starts here - then about three pages later he explains the frame markings.
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/buying/buy101a.htm



If you find the VIN on the frame then check here to see if the body number falls in the range that matches the VIN and you can check here for a range on the engine - no way to know the exact number. Occasionally it was recorded from the factory - maybe rarely rather than occasionally.
http://www.namgar.com/articles/article/mga_history/mga_chassis_vin_engine_body_number/

As far as I know the 1622 was not intorduced until 1961?
Ah - here it is http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/care/cf125.htm

Looks like a nice one!

Eric

Definitely a 1622. Cast into the lower left side of the block.

Great info. Will take out the carpet in the morning. I have a manual that (I think?) showed some of the 1622s as early as 1959. Will verify my info in the AM. Love this site!!!

Keep us posted. We like pictures too! Saves guys like me from the "big words". I have a 1960 1600 built Nov 4-5 1959 and it's a 1600 (1588). My numbers are smack dab in the middle of the number range so pretty sure it's original. I think 1959 is too early for the 1622. A very desirable engine though.
Yeah.....I love this site too.......great people and a ton of info. Also, can't recommend the MGA guru site enough. Everything MGA is there.
Cheers,
Rob

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"Time flies like an arrow......Fruit flies like a banana"

The first 1622 engine was introduced in March 1961; chassis #100352 & the engine number started with 16GC. It may be that somewhere in its life your car had an engine transplant; actually quite a good one!

Paul, also check to see if there is a number cast into the head at the back of the valve cover. "16" was used for the 1622 engines.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-25 08:27 PM by copernicus.

Thanks all for your comments and assistance on this question. My engine number is 16GCUH292. Based on that number and what info I have this appears to be the 191st 1622 if using a first number of 101. I would have to guess that that would put it in that time frame of March of 1961 or early April at the latest. So looks like, as a couple of responses have stated, no way this is the original for my 59 MGA. Taking the carpet out tomorrow and looking for the chassis number on the passenger side.

Hi Paul,

if you check for your Body# and post a pic, I could tell you more, I own the 13th. MKII 1000365 and have my own Register.

Gio

some times things are better left alone......

like the guy who sold his award winning stingray to a guy overseas and during the customs check they found out it was stolen.......the insurance company that paid the claim seized the vehicle and the guy who sold it was SOL......with no way of recompense



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-26 09:00 PM by bobs77vet.

In many states the state police will run a VIN (and an in-state title #) for you before you buy the car. I call every time.

A fellow in our club did that and found that a title for a car he was considering had a cloud over it from a niece who had been cut out of old uncle Harry's will and was trying to lien the title. He waited 6 months for the case to go through the courts to clear the title.

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The Flat Earth Society has members from all corners of the globe.

'30 Model A Ford Town Sedan
'48 MGTC Q Special
'53 XK120SE OTS
'58 MGA roadster
'66 Series 1, 4.2 Jag E-Type OTS

here is a thought. leave the paperwork as it is and add a correct Vin tag stamped with your newly assigned state issued number.. it would look original, be accurate and you don't have to worry about the boogeyman