[Tigers] MkII VINs

[Tom Witt]

Not sure if this post goes through... (to the list) , the past few haven’t.

It would seem logical that there were a number of Mk 1A’s that were the pre-production prototypes for the Mk 2.  And, it would seem logical that most eventually found their way into some form of a general sale – even if only to Rootes employees.  Thus, the question is, would they have been sold as Mk 1A’s or completely updated to Mk 2’s? I’m doubting the latter based on the alterations needed to hide the beltline trim holes to convert Mk 1A to a Mk 2 (as one point among potentially many). If not updated visually (but were mechanically) it would seem at least plausible that a few Mk 1A’s were equipped with 289’s - even if they were not sold through the typical dealership method.   The potential Mk 1A/289 would likely not have been at the end of the Mk 1A run, but at whatever point the Mk 2 prototype development was started.

Another potential scenario would regard Rootes not having enough 260’s at the end of the Mk 1A run.  Thus using available 289’s that were either bought for Mk 2 prototypes, or waiting in the wings for the Mk 2. It would be interesting to know the number of 260’s ordered/shipped and the number of Mk 1, 1A’s produced. Also a factor would be the 260’s set aside for development/testing and warranty replacement (if any).

I’m not trying to create an Urban Legend nor support the Mk 1A 289. I’m only postulating the potential for it to have happened as I obviously have produced no evidence.  With that in mind I’d be happy to see evident that refutes the above concept and closes the door for thinking in that direction.

From: Ron Fraser via Tigers 
Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2016 5:39 AM
To: 'Tod Brown' ; tigers at Autox.Team.Net 
Subject: Re: [Tigers] MkII VINs


Tod

                I don’t believe any Mk 1A originally came with a 289 engine.  I see no evidence of anything but the B19KC 260 engine group for the last production Mk 1A.  Norm Miller calls the 289 engine in Mk 1As a myth.  It would be nice to have real evidence to confirm either position.



My Original Tiger Engine Study does not contain specific information for the engines in the last dozen or so Mk 1As produced.  Owners lets change that.



I will gladly accept and examine engine information for any original Tiger engine.  I have a worksheet that is easy to fill out – just ask for one.



Ron Fraser





From: Tigers [mailto:tigers-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Tod Brown via Tigers
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2016 7:28 PM
To: tigers at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Tigers] MkII VINs





Actually, there were two MkII's assembled by Rootes before production was turned 
over to Jensen. They carry serial numbers B382100001 and B382100002 but no JAL
numbers. The Jensen run began with B382100100 and ended with ...633. See the
note in the SS Catalog:



MARK II PRODUCTION NUMBERS VARY. CARS WITH



SERIAL # B382100001 



AND #B382100002 EXIST WITH NO JAL #’S (JENSEN ALPINE LTD. BODY #) 



WHICH INDICATES THE CARS WERE COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED BY ROOTES, 



NEVER GOING TO THE JENSEN PLANT AND MUST HAVE BEEN A PRE-



PRODUCTION PILOT CARS. THE NEXT MK II IS B382100



100 WHICH CARRIES 



A JAL NUMBER, THE FIRST OF THE MK II SERIES.



There were also six (IIRC) MkIA's fitted with the MkII mechanicals (289 block, wide-
ratio trans, modified Watts linkage, etc.) but were badged as MkIA's at the end of
the MkIA run at Jensen. 

Tod Brown
B382002384LRXFE
TAC 864 
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