>Here in Australia, I am looking to purchase a rubber- bumpered
>roadster as a practical everyday car and restoration project.
>I am currently looking at a Flamenco-coloured MGB which has been
>recently imported from the USA. It is a LHD roadster; a '78 model I am
>told. While from a distance it looks ok and the body appears to be
>straight, up close certain parts like the bonnet, front bumper, and
>boot lid are askew.
>
>Riveted on the dash is what appears to be a Chassis number --
>G-HN5UJ458091G while on the left-hand wing balance is another number,
>GU2ST868542P.
>
>The difference in these numbers brings to mind some questions:
>1. Am I really looking at a collection of imported parts rather than
>a single car?
>2. Is there anyway of telling what the original colour of the car was
>from either of these two numbers?
>3. How does a purchaser of such an intercontinental car guarantee
>that the auto hasn't been stolen, boxed, and transported overseas for
>disposal?
>
Richard,
I was recently reading about commision numbers and so forth and I
thought I might try to help. The number riveted to the dash is the
serial number of the car, in this case being "G-HN5-UJ 458091-G".
The code being:
"G" - an MG car
"H" - car having an engine in the 1400 to 2000 cc range
"N" - a 2 seat roadster body
"5" - kind of like a Mark designation, in this case a car produced from
late 1969 to 1979
"U" - car was made to North American specifications
"J" - the car is a 1979 model year
"458091" - serial number, in this case the 457990th MGB produced (is
this a correct statement?)
"-G" - this suffix indicates that this car was assembled in Abingdon
As for the other number, I believe it to be the body number. However I
think there is a mistake. Are you sure that the number is not
"GU23T868542P"? If I'm right, then the translation is probably
something like:
"GU23T" - rubber bumpered North American roadster
"868542" - assigned body number
"-P" - indicating 'body-in-white' and pressed at the Swindon plant
This 'body-in-white' meaning that the body was given a quick spray of
white paint when it left Swindon and the final colour coat being
applied in Abingdon. As for the original colour you have to contact the
British Motor Industry Heritage Trust as Mr. Bert Palte suggested.
In summary I believe your car is in all probability what you have
been told it is, but it may have had some front-end damage. Other than
that the car sounds original in the sense that the info you provided
does not seem to indicate that the car is made from a collection of
used bits and pieces.
I hope this has been helpful and as always I appreciate comments.
Dave Hay 1977 MGB still in storage :(
p.s. - All MGB owners should read "The Original MGB" written by
A.D.Clausager and published by Bay View Books. The book also covers MGC
and MGB-GT V8.
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