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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 12:44 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 *** http://www.team.net/the-local *** *** unsubscribe/change address requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or try *** http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool *** http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo *** Archives at http://www.team.net/archive *** Edit your replies!
