mk1-forum.net

Hi All,

I've been lucky enough to pick up my 3rd mini after a 25 year gap. The car is a restoration on a Mk1 shell, also using some parts from a 1972 donor car, and is registered here in Canada as a 1972. The VIN plate came from the 1972 donor car, but there is a body plate on the bonnet latch panel that looks like A060906. Is it possible to get information about the car just using the body plate number? I'm not planning to try and amend the registration, but would like to try and find out a bit more about the history of the car if possible.

Thanks,

John

Once upon a time.. (perhaps in a more trusting age) Heritage could provide details based on a body number... Mark tells us that this service is no longer available.

Maybe if you rang the Heritage Centre and explained your problem?????

Cheers, Ian

Thanks Ian,

I'll try and dig up a phone number and call them on Monday.

John

Looks like a mk1 cooper body number.

A0634xx on my April 67 Mk1 Morris 1275 S if that helps at all

I have records of some body / chassis / engine and FE numbers.

Whereas most increase roughly with time, the A xxxx body numbers are much more random, but at a guess I'd put your A number in the early to mid 60s.

Thanks for the additional information, that's helpful. I did manage to get in touch with the Heritage centre and they have told me they can help. I'll post back here when I learn more

John

Just to follow up on this, the Heritage Centre was very helpful and found details of my car based on the body plate. It turns out to be an early 1967 Canadian delivery Austin Cooper, originally Almond green/white. The previous owner restored it as a Cooper S about 10 years ago, painted it Island Blue, installed a modified 1300GT engine, and registered it as a 1972 based on the VIN from the donor car the engine came from. It still has hydrolastic suspension, and has a straight cut 3 synchro gearbox. It's good to know the history now, although given the mix of parts and identification, it's hard to know how to describe it. I guess I can legitimately say it's a 67 cooper, I just feel a bit dishonest as the previous owner put S badges on it. I'd remove them if they didn't leave holes in the bonnet and boot.

John