Mark,
More surprising still, it is not even a 64 model. It is in fact a 1963
Mk1. The small plate with 3696FC is the body plate and the number is
the body's serial number. The "L" on the commission plate means that
the steering wheel is on the left hand side of the car.
The car seems to have gone through a number of "Upgrades" since it was
new. The push-button door latches were first installed in the mioddle
of Mk2 production. Since it appears to be the original Mk1 body tub,
look for evidence on the "B" post that the striker was replaced with the
antiburst type.
Yes, 32 is signal red and there should be evidence to that effect
beneath layers of later paint. However, the doors might be originally a
fdifferent color since they obviously came off a latger car. Also, if
your bonnet lid has the Mk2 badge, it may also have come off another
car.
As far as what to call it, I vote for what it actually is, a 1963 Mk1!
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: spitfires-owner@autox.team.net
[mailto:spitfires-owner@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of
sinclair@degenkolb.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 12:44 PM
To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: 64 MK2 Spitfire ??? & seltbelt mount question.
All very interesting. My new Spit is turning up more surprises the more
I
look.
There are two plates on the tub
- a larger upper one that say FC 3824?L
- and a smaller lower one that says 3696? FC
What does the L signify? Left hand drive I suppose?
The papers match the earlier number and say it was first sold in 64 but
registered in 65. Both plates have been there quite a while - through
at
least one respray. The color code on the upper plate is 32 - which I
guess
is signal red and matches the current color? But it looks like there
is a
light blue underneath in many places.
Now it gets stranger - it has the 1147 engine (FC39146HE), but has the
MK2
push button doors, the bolted mounts for the convertible top frame, the
wheel well seat belt mounts, and reversing lights.
I guess someone just took a MK2 or 3 tub and married it with an earlier
engine & chassis and swapped the plate. It doesn't have the MK3 badges
so
I suppose MK2. I wonder what I should call it - 1964 MK2. 1966 MK1?
There is also a plate in the upper part of each wheel well with four
holes
- looks like it would suit a roll-bar or something. It is covered with
black vinyl that looks very old. Anyone know what these mounts are for?
Also - I don't see any mounts for the seat-belt retractor thingummy. Am
I
correct in thinking that this is a single nut that would appear in the
wheel well just above the rear parcel shelf? Are the four holes
possibly
for some alternate type of retractor unit? They are quite high on the
wheel well - right below the single bolt mount for the shoulder belt.
Thanks
Mark
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