Joe Curry wrote:
>
> Michael,
> New Year models were started with the next number sequence. For example, The
>first 1974 (MkIV) model was FH 60001. Te last previous year's car was
> FH59387. Some of the models have even greatef gaps, accounting for the
>missing cars you noticed.
>
> Don't use the data in the database as the gospel about the numbers
>manufactured.
> In fact the last 75 model according to the BMIHT was FH79821 (but that is not
>100 percent guaranteed). The first 1976 was FH80001.
>
> You also have to include the FM (US market) and the VIN mnumbered cars to
>arrive at the total for the 1500 model.
>
> Finally, Robson's figures are misleading even though he got his information
>from the BMIHT. I think it has to do with his formatting. Although I
> have not seen his production figures, I had a discussion with him a year or
>so ago and we reached the conclusion that his figures were accurate but
> somehow not really clear. I received the starting and ending commission
>numbers from Anders Clausager when he was still at the BMIHT. He too
> admitted that there is no really definitive listing of the entire production
>sequence due to some missing data, most notably a fire which destroyed
> all the data on the CKD cars assembled in Belgium.
>
> In addition to this, I have come to conclude that some of the numbers within
>certain series were assigned to CKD kits bound to off-shore assembly
> plants and for whatever reason never used. Therefore, you cannot do any sort
>of math to arrive at a comprehensive number for the total Spitfire
> production or that of any particular model.
>
> It's just like religion. You just gotta have "Faith"!
>
> Regards,
> Joe
>
> Regards,
> Joe
>
> Michael Hargreave Mawson wrote:
> >
> > Dear All,
> >
> > I've been doing a little basic research from secondary sources,
> > including the on-line Database:
> >
> > Total production variously described as 95,829; 91,137 plus 1974; and
> > 91,137 total.
> >
> > First FH Comm. Number: FH75001
> > Last FH Comm Number: FH134637
> > Range: 59,636 - BUT, there are huge gaps in recorded numbers
> >
> > Last known 1975 car is FH79814 ; first known 1976 car is FH80060. Last
> > known 1976 car is FH91507, first known 1977 is FH100008. Last known
> > 1977 car is FH106322, first known 1978 is FH110010.
> >
> > Looks as though Triumph started new sequences at the beginning of 1976,
> > 1977, and 1978, so we need to subtract about 12357 from this figure just
> > to be going on with. This gives 47279 for UK production. This is
> > about three times as large as the "official" figures, but there seem to
> > be no other gaps in FH commission numbers. Many FH numbers were,
> > however, Export cars for Europe.
> >
> > First FM Comm. Number: FM000001
> > Last FM Comm. Number: FM111120
> > Range: 111,119 - BUT, there are huge gaps in recorded numbers
> >
> > Last known 1973 car is FM8142; first known 1974 car is FM10001 (Subtract
> > 1859). Last known 1976 car is FM51181; first known 1977 car is FM60037
> > (Subtract 8819). Last known 1977 car is FM67320; first known 1978 car
> > is FM70014 (Subtract 2680). Last known 1978 car is FM79306; first
> > known 1979 car is FM90039 (Subtract 10694). There is an odd gap
> > between FM93188 and FM95008 in the middle of 1979 (Subtract 1812).
> > Last known 1979 car is FM102452; first known 1980 car is FM110020
> > (Subtract 7548). Total subtractions = 33412. This gives 77,707 for
> > US production - very close to the official figures for *all* exports.
> >
> >
> > First VIN: 000001
> > Last VIN: 009898
> > Range: 9897 (No noticeable gaps)
> >
> > Most of these also seem to have been Export cars, with the majority
> > going to the US.
> >
> > Estimated Total Production, based on adjusted Comm. Numbers: 134,883.
> > Probably 'way too high.
> >
> > Production Figures (UK) from Robson's "Collector's Guide" (believed to
> > have been obtained from BL)
> >
> > 1974: Unknown
> > 1975: 2627
> > 1976: 4117
> > 1977: 3117
> > 1978: 4145
> > 1979: 935
> > 1980: 1164
> > Total: 16,105 (Surely it can't be this low?)
> >
> > Production Figures (Export) from Robson
> >
> > 1974: Unknown
> > 1975: 12964
> > 1976: 14792
> > 1977: 14599
> > 1978: 17044
> > 1979: 9341
> > 1980: 6292
> > Total: 75,032
> >
> > Total Production Figures: 91,137
> >
> > One thing is clear from all of this. Quoting ranges of Commission
> > Numbers is extremely misleading, as huge chunks within these ranges were
> > never used. The range from FM79306 and FM90001, for example, may have
> > covered only a handful of cars.
> >
> > Comments, anyone?
> >
> > ATB
> > Mike
> > --
> > Michael Hargreave Mawson, author of "Eyewitness in the Crimea,"
> > published by Greenhill Books on 28th March, 2001:
> > http://www.greenhillbooks.com/booksheets/eyewitness_in_the_crimea.html
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