Years ago, when I bought my lil MG, I was told it was a 66. The
registration said 66 and being somewhat ignorant as to the intricacies
of the marque I had no reason to doubt this.
Then I learned that 65 was supposedly the last year for the "pull type"
door handles, with the push-button type debuting in 66. Since my
car had the pull type I assumed it was an example of the oft-practiced
"parts bin" manufacturing process the British (and other storied
european manufacturers) were famous for. Nick came back from his
lunch of a pie and a pint and found an extra set of early handles
in his overalls and thus used them on the next B that came down the
line.
Then last year at the Palo Alto British meet I met a gentleman who
told me that many 65 B's were registered as 66's here in CA for
various reasons, mostly due to the new smog laws passed back then.
He also told me my car was a 65, and that there were other differences
in the door besides just the handle. The striker plate and door jam
is completely different on the 66's and you can't just swap handles
or even complete doors between the two.
That man was trying to get together a registry of us folks with 65
B's to try to get some leverage with DMV to have them properly
registered and I gave him my name and number, but then never heard from
him again.
I've begun to investigate more thoroughly....last Sunday at the meet
I saw other B's, whose owners thought they had 65 cars, whose VINs were
actually later than mine. If I recall correctly, my VIN (Body) is
GHN3L 53318. The Engine number is a 18GB unit I believe. It's
obviously a 5 main engine. Other clues are the new gas tank securing
methods (move away from strap type I believe) and also the electric
tach.
Most of the books I've read on the subject are sketchy as to the
exact production numbers and year models so I continue to be confused.
Does anyone have any definitive information or thoughts on this
subject? I'd like to get the car registered as a 65 because it would
eliminate the need to have it smogged every year. While the car
is stock and always makes it through after I've tweaked it a little,
it's a hassle and an extra cost I'd rather not deal with.
B'est Regards,
TJ Noto
Palo Alto, CA
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