[Healeys] BJ8 mystery number?

[Jean Caron]

I believe that the “mystery number” was stamped there by the frame manufacturer and do not relate to any other number on the car.
On BJ8, the Jensen number is also on the bottom ledge of the glovebox cover, if you open the glovebox, you can read the number with a mirror.

Jean

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From: gradea1 at charter.net<mailto:gradea1 at charter.net>
Sent: May 10, 2021 6:28 PM
To: 'BJ8Healeys'<mailto:sbyers at ec.rr.com>
Cc: 'Austin Healey'<mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>; 'David Lodge'<mailto:emmgeeteesee at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] BJ8 mystery number?

Steve-I checked the locations on my original 66 BJ8 35516 and found "0224" in three places.  I did not find a frame number marked next to the shock tower. Cannot equate that number to anything else on the car. Its not body or batch, but some of those locations are a Jensen spot for markings. If someone was to replace the bonnet latch mounting, they threw out the number. Regards, Hank

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From: "BJ8Healeys"
To: "David Lodge"
Cc: "Austin Healey"
Sent: Monday May 10 2021 8:39:35AM
Subject: Re: [Healeys] BJ8 mystery number?

David, I don't know for sure, but it's my understanding that the frames were built by John Thompson Motor Pressings.  Frequently this number has been partially obscured by weld bead.  Jensen put their number on the body plate, as well as another number in three places:  the fixed part of the bonnet latch, just in front of the radiator; on the driver's side (in reference to LHC cars) bonnet flange where the hinge is bolted; and on the underside of the boot lid where the prop rod attaches (example photos attached).
My guess is that the number you show was put there by the frame manufacturer.  I haven't been able to connect the number to any other number on the car.

BTW:  I have been doing a study of the "Jensen numbers" in the three places cited above.  It would be helpful to be able to document as many of them as possible.  So far, I have them for 222 BJ8s.  They do have a relation to the VIN of a car, but a closer correspondence with the body number.  Any BJ8 owners who wants to contribute to the database of these numbers to help us understand more about them should send me a photo of what you find on your BJ8, if possible.  If not, then just send the numbers to me.  I also need the chassis number and body number of the car.

Thanks!
Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
AHCA Delegate at Large
Havelock, NC  USA

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From: "David Lodge via Healeys"
To: "Austin Healey"
Cc: "David Lodge"
Sent: Sunday May 9 2021 11:24:18PM
Subject: [Healeys] BJ8 mystery number?
Can anyone please tell me what this number signifies?  It's at the right-hand end of the front cross-member, just in front of the shock tower.

A Jensen body works code, I'll hazard.

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