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Re: Commision Number Plates

To: "Deatsch, James" <James.Deatsch@usa.xerox.com>
Subject: Re: Commision Number Plates
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 11:27:19 -0700
Jim,
Gaydon is the home of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, (keeper
of the archives and bearer of the eternal flame)

See the index page of the Spitfire database for a link to the BMIHT
information page.  I prepared this to assist people in obtaining a BMIHT
production certificate.
http://home1.gte.net/spitlist/index.html

Regards, 
Joe

"Deatsch, James" wrote:
> 
> Joe, et all...
> Gaydon?  Build certificate?
> Hmmmmmm, speaking of inquiring minds wanting to know.
> que pasa Gaydon?
> 
> tia,
> Jim
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe Curry [mailto:spitlist@gte.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 12:25 PM
> To: Doug Mitchell
> Cc: Spitfire Mailing List; John Mac
> Subject: Re: Commision Number Plates
> 
> Doug,
> Since all my commission plates are still in boxes (except for the one on
> My Mk1, which has no date), I can't tell by looking what date you are
> describing.  My question is, "Is this date actually stamped onto the
> plate, or is it printed onto the plate?"  It seems to me that certain
> date information was printed and refers to safety requirements in effect
> at the time of manufacture.
> 
> The build information I have on the Spit 1500 (US versions) is:
> First car in 73- FM3033
> First cat in 74- FM12217
> 
> Doing some quick math, it appears that fewer than 1000 US Spec cars were
> made each month, so the 4723 and 4879 cars might actually have been
> built in April.  But it is highly unlikely that the 11191 car was, since
> by its number must have been built late that year.
> 
> Another possibility is that Triumph pre stamped the dates and commission
> numbers on the plates and added the paint and trim codes later.
> 
> Joe
> 
> Doug Mitchell wrote:
> >
> > Spitted Ones and John,
> >
> > After discussions here the last few days about commission
> > numbers and build dates, I have started wondering whether
> > or not the date stamped on the plate has any correlation
> > to the real build date.
> >
> > Some examples:
> > My Spit is FM4879U and is stamped April 1973.
> > Walt Fogle's Spit is FM4723U and is stamped April 1973.
> > Steve Yemo's Spit is FM11191U and is stamped April 1973.
> > Steve's TR250 is 6826L and is stamped April 1968.
> >
> > Did BL just pre-stamp a number of plates with April 19XX
> > and throw them on the car? Was there some reason for BL
> > to have done this? Safety/emission/? certifications?
> >
> > I know, I know, I should get the build certificate from
> > Gaydon, but that would only answer the question on my
> > car.
> >
> > Inquiring minds want to know.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > --
> > Doug Mitchell
> > dmitchel@ford.com
> > '73 Spitfire 1500
> 
> --
> "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
>  -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer

-- 
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
 -- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer



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