Michael'
The commission number defines the car as a 1968 Mk3 (that year's model started
with FD20000. I wonder what clerk registered it as a
'65! :)
The engine number is probably a FD prefix that has the first number struck
funny, but there is an RD prefix for engines that went into
a Front wheel drive 1300. Since I am not familiar with that particular car, I
can't say if any special engine modifications were made
to accommodate FWD. But it could be that it is an RD engine.
The color scheme from the factory was royal blue (57) exterior with Shadow Blue
(27) trim. I have no idea what the 2040 number means.
I don't think the factory seats would have had adjustable headrests. Do they
look like the earlier seats, or do they appear to be 1500
seats?
The header is most definitely an after market add on.
Are the "Beehive" lenses made of glass? I don't think the indicator lenses are
supposed to be that way, but the reverse ones are.
Regards,
Joe
P.S. Be sure to get the data into the Spitfire database.
Michael_Bayrock@translink.bc.ca wrote:
>
> Hi Joe (and the rest of you Spitfire fans)
>
> An old friend called me over the weekend. Her husband and I spent many
> evenings wrenching on Spitfires in our past. Unfortunately, he passed away
> some years ago, and left behind a Spitfire he was working on. She has
> finally decided to keep it and restore it to original condition, and asked
> me for some help.
>
> First of all, I suppose we need to sort out the question on whether the
> parts are original or not. The registration says the car is a '65, but it's
> definitely an early MkIII. The engine is out of the car and sitting on the
> ground. The tranny is beside the engine.
>
> The numbers are:
>
> Commission number FD23467 L
> Body number 23261 FD
>
> Trim/Paint 56 27
> under the trim/paint code there is '2040'
>
> Engine Number RD 62947HE (is this correct?)
> Tranny FC60040
>
> It has a wooden centre dash/fascia. It has a hardtop (!), attached soft
> top, seats are medium height with raisable headrests. It has 2 piece hub
> caps/wheel trims (centre cap solid, larger wheel cover is a grater/salad
> spinner design). It has beehive-type lenses for signals (red) and reversing
> lights (white) in the rear. It appears to have a 4-into-1 tubular header.
>
> So, what can you knowledgeable fellows tell me about the car?
>
> Michael
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