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MG TD TF 1500 - Body number partially decoded

It turns out that the first number of the second line on the Body Number plate (before the slash) is a sequential number (if this is old news I apologize). For example:
The sequential number of TD12498 is 11869. That is a difference of 629. So one would expect the sequential number for TD12569 to be 11940 which it is (arrived at by subtracting 629 from TD12569). The system isn't uniform across the board. Early TDs had a difference between chassis numbers and sequential body numbers of 150. It seems that the number difference between chassis number and sequential numbers changed periodically. Occasionally a number difference changed for a certain chassis number (i.e. 650 instead of 629) but then reverted back to the standard difference. I understand that Body Numbers are not exactly the most sought after bit of information. But knowing the above someone who is missing a body number plate can now know the sequential number at least. If anyone needs assistance in finding their sequential body number let me know. The only fly in the ointment is the lack of body numbers in most TRegisters. I would really like to find Gordon Lawson's T numbers database. It seems to have disappeared from the Internet.

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

See http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/BodyPlate.htm for the data from TD10855. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, using the database I have made, your body sequence number comes up as 10230. That is 10 more than the sequence number on your number plate. The reason it is different is that the sequence numbers changed, i.e. skipped numbers. But if I had chassis numbers with body numbers close to yours I'm sure the numbers would match. The closest chassis numbers with body numbers to your car that I found are TD10788 and TD10895.

Tim
TW Burchfield

Tim,
I did a similar study on some of the pre-war MGs, specifically P-types. What I discovered was that there were specific starting numbers for various models and body types. After that, it would appear that the numbers were not always aligned with the chassis number. I therefore concluded that bodies were pulled from the stocks in somewhat a random fashion. Also, that as new bodies arrived, they were numbered again in somewhat a random fashion. It is not clear, however, whether the bodies were numbered by the manufacturer (usually Carbodies), or by MG upon arrival.
Lew3

Lew, I think you are correct. I believe that the Body Number itself was stamped on the wooden frame by the body maker. But I also believe that the sequential number (first number on the second line of the body plate was established by the factory. I agree that there were specific starting numbers for some reason (body changes, model year, etc.). For example chassis numbers TD12498 to TD12569 appear to be 695 greater than their corresponding sequential numbers. Earlier TD chassis numbers differ from their sequential numbers by 150. Of course not every car follows that rule. Some numbers seem to skip. I assume that is due to manufacturing defects, testing, supply interruptions, etc. I would like to find a good source for chassis numbers with the sequential and body numbers. Unfortunately Gordon Lawson's T number database seems to have disappeared.

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

Tim, Gordon did a lot of looking at the issue and could find no real correlation. Feeling is that the body creator was not an M.G. factory organization and was free to assign any number that they wished. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, you are right. Although the sequential numbers are pretty regular the actual body numbers have many gaps and are sometimes actually out of order. About the only way to have a relative certainty of your body number is to find chassis numbers close (2 or 3) before and after your chassis number and extrapolate your body number. The only thing I found is that the sequential numbers (as I call them) can be determined with some accuracy. It is of interest to me since my car did not come with a chassis number plate or a body number plate. That and the fact I spent 30 years investigating things. I hate unsolved mysteries :-)

Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

When I stripped the paint off my TD (I used a hydroxide dip tank), I found a inked on three digit number on each part. They were all within about 120 if each other. I was thinking these were some type of inventory number. Anyone else find these?
Bruce TD4139 Cunha

I think the same can be said of engine numbers. It's roughly about 350 different but probably +/- 50 or so.

Just a bunch of inventory that got consumed randomly.
Christopher Couper

There is an interview with Jim Simpson, a 40 year employee at Abingdon on YouTube. He worked in the typically British named "Goods Inward" office. What a source he would be for all the questions about numbers on our cars. Especially those on parts arriving from outside the factory. the video was filmed in 1990 so imagine Jim is no longer around.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfPaRq9T8GE


Tim
TD12524
TW Burchfield

Tim, you should try to contact Stuart Keen. He owns TD10890, a TDC that's only 35 cars away from mine, TD10855. BTW, his car was originally also Autumn Red. Bud
Bud Krueger

Tim,

Jim Simpson was a personal friend of mine. Unfortunately he passed away only 2 weeks ago at age 100.
Lew3

Bud, thanks very much for the info

Lew, amazing that he lived so long. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy in the video. His story about Kimber was pretty funny. Wish I had the chance to meet him. Always sad to lose a friend.

Regards

Tim
TW Burchfield

This thread was discussed between 17/02/2016 and 19/02/2016

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