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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Chassis/VIN plates and engine numbers

This has not come up in a while but I note that MiniMail can supply Chassis/VIN plates and engine numbers for BMC/BLMC/BL (and Austin Rover/Rover Group) cars including the correct stamping: https://www.minimail.co.uk/chassis-vin-plates/?fbclid=IwAR2SmwVaXOCCPp1qtKs2mtakkYT3ScuZblsGXlalFYhThYqOypV04tJfOLY They also sell Commission Number plates.

Terry Horlers Orginal Sprite & midget book has detail on which plate style is appropriate for the various Spridget series and years, useful info also on MiniMail website: https://www.minimail.co.uk/app/download/35375369/Info+-+Identity+plate+orders+2020+pdf.pdf & https://www.minimail.co.uk/app/download/35375379/Info+-+Engine+numbers+-+BMC+type+pdf.pdf (includes some very useful info on how the engine plates were originally fixed and how to remove them and how not to!)

It is really nice to rediscover a small independent supplier I remember from the early 1980s when running and repairing old Minis.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

"We require a copy of the registration document for the vehicle if a chassis / VIN plate is required.

This can be posted or a scan emailed."

In the getting conned thread in general, the dangers of disclosing all on the v5, let alone sending the entire thing (copy), are laid bare. Better hope they remain, both very careful and honest.



 
anamnesis

I think the fault is with the unaccountable DVLA. They have produced a system which clearly isn't secure, and hasn't been for a long time. The "give away" was when the declaration on the front "This is not proof of ownership". was added. A cop out from responsibility rather than work on a secure system. And then instead of fix it they have made it worse with successive 'patches' so it is impossible for a law abiding owner to fully protect themselves from possible online theft. If you need a new number plate or VIN plate, you are forced to divulge the V5c info and take that risk.
GuyW

All the currently supplied vin plates, no matter for MG, BMC or whatever ALL contain mistakes. The spacing between words is wrong but the most common error is the N in SPECN should be a small superscript N which most word processors seem unable to reproduce or they leave off the N altogether.
Rob
MG Moneypit

Mike Wood, thanks for the info about Minimail. I have been looking for someone who can stamp the engine number on my MGB correctly. I ordered one from Minimail and it came in a couple of days and is excellent. Thanks.


Mike Howlett

Rob,

With the capabilities of modern word processors I expect it's just a matter of learning how to generate the correct formatting. I had to find out recently how the produce some unusual fractions in LibreOffice and that involved commands to set font size and formatting to get the results I wanted. Regarding the plates with black print on aluminium plate there used to be a product for that which was photo sensitive and worked like making a PCB but while I've searched for it a few times I haven't found it. Might have been done by Mega in the UK but tried there and not found it.
David Billington

Mega UK seems to have brass and stainless steel sign making kits but not aluminium. I found MetalPhoto which looks to be like the stuff I've used in the past and was easy to use once the mask was made. See PDF.
David Billington

Mike Howlett - you are very welcome. Happy New Year and hope all well with you. How is the Triumph Toledo going, MBG GT V8 and the conversion you assisted to shoehorn a Subaru flat four engine into a VW Transporter (T25?) ?

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

All running well thank you. My Dolly is the 1850HL, not a Toledo, but has been a great little car. Last summer when my modern car broke down on the M6, we did a 1260 mile round trip to Brighton in the Dolly in hot weather without any issues at all. The V8GT is just great but hasn't been used too much lately. I shall be taking it to Silverstone twice this year hopefully.

The T25 Vanagon is my son's in Edinburgh. It is currently away having a major body and interior refurb. You really don't have to shoehorn a Subaru flat four into the van, it fits like it was meant to be there, being virtually the same size as the old VW boxer engine. It completely transforms the camper as it now accelerates like most modern cars and is more economical than it was with the VW engine.



Mike Howlett

This thread was discussed between 07/01/2023 and 17/01/2023

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.