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MG MGA - 100,000 ***MG***


Please read the title correctly.

Does anyone know the chassis number of the 100,000th "MG" built. This is an early 1500 MGA roadster build 16th May 1956.

See attached photo extract from the book "MG The Untold story" By David Knowles


**** NOT to be confused **** with the 100,000 Gold MGAm which is well documented.

No where on the internet can I find the complete production history by model of MG's since old No 1 onwards. Perhaps someone knows ?

So I have created a spreadsheet but this requires validation by each register and is somewhat superfluous as ZB Magnette production was also in progress during 1956.

Many Thanks
Mark










Mark Hester

Mark

Have you spoken with the MGCC? Just browsing through Mike Allison's 'The Magic Of The Marque', he lists a breakdown of each MG type production by year, at Abingdon and also Cowley for the Magnette. He quotes his source as MGCC records. Perhaps you could also contact Mike as he refers to his own spreadsheet that he compiled during his research.

Steve
Steve Gyles

There was an evolution from Morris to Morris Garages to MG, so the first problem you need to solve is which car is the first MG? Certainly not Old No 1.

Matthew.
M Magilton

It is a 1500 roadster built in '56 between July 24th and August 16th, chassis number HDR33/18273.
It happens to be my car.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Peter do you know why it took so long to build your car? Mine took 3 days and a parts car took 2,both coupes built in June 1959
gary starr

In those days, factories in England used to close for 2 weeks summer holidays, late July - early August.

For example http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/13th-july-1945/23/aec-service-plans-during-works-holidays-the-works-
Geoff Ev

And by 1959 they were getting the hang of it!
Also, building a parts car does not take long!
Peter.
P. Tilbury


Back on topic. I've been passed a photo of the actual car.

We are trying to get Gaydon / BMIHT to tell us the chassis numbers



Mark Hester

Left hand drive from the parked wipers and I think the top of the wheel is just visible, so it went overseas.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Sorry Peter - It looks as though that photo rules your car out by 2 months.
Cam Cunningham

Hang on there.
Doesn't the sign say 16.8.56?
Mine is LH drive, and it was exported, and it is OEW! If it has a red interior and no heater then the odds are looking good.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Peter

Text says 16 May.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Photo actually has 16.5.56 confirming 16th May. Sorry Peter.
Cam Cunningham

I have quite a good quality version of this picture in Robert Vitrikas's book - its definitely "16.5.56" - nothing on the chassis number though.
Pete
P N Tipping


In the production records for this exact day less than 100 cars would have been dispatched, so the answer is buried in the Gaydon archived.

Alas it relies on a volunteer to search the production record volume concerned.

Anyone visiting Gaydon soon and has 30 mins spare?

Thanks
Mark
Mark Hester

I heard that they held this car in the factory for exactly 3 months to use it for car shows, advertising photos, etc., then shipped it to Libya.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

That can't be right, It was a the New York Auto Show in April 1962, very shortly after it was produced. I think it then stayed in North America for a publicity tour.
Barney Gaylord

Barney,
Aren't you confusing the "100,000th MGA" with the "100,000th MG"?
Gene Gillam

Doh! Engage brain before running mouth. Anyone have a foot extractor?
Barney Gaylord

Mark,

I expect to go to Gaydon early in the New Year (or maybe next week if we're lucky enough to win some business there) and can probably spare 30 minutes and I know both the archivists there as well.

Did they really manage to churn out a 100 in one day back then? I suppose they must have done to hit the total number of vehicles in the production period the A ran for.

It still amazes me how they did it with 50's technology but I guess they still had the war ethic to production.

I'll see what I can do.

Chris.
Chris Bond


Hi Chris,

May thanks for your generous offer. Please contact me off-line and I'll send you some more info.

Production may have only been 20-50 cars, I really don't know on a daily basis.

I'm looking for the 1st chassis number and last chassis numbers dispatched on 16th May 1956.

We may get lucky and one of those cars is the 100,000th MG... I would assume that it was not the first car of the day, as it would take time to assemble to press, etc.

Thanks
Mark
Mark Hester

Hi Mark,

what is the status of your search?

Giovanni
Giovanni Delicio

Hi Giovanni,

Alas Chris is unable to visit Gaydon, so we are looking for another volunteer to search their archives for 16 th May 1956

Anyone going to BMIHT any time soon?

Cheers
Mark
Mark Hester

Hi Mark
I have an original copy of the photo which i got on a visit to Abingdon in 1979 (during the Abingdon 50th celebration)- and just before Micheal Edwardes dropped the axe on MG.

I plan to visit Gaydon during my 2 months "boys own adventure" planned for europe /U.K. in June /July this year. If you can wait that long that is.

Cheers.John

John Lambie

Mark,

Can anyone access these records, or does it have to be a professional person by appointment?

Regards...John
J Bray

Hi John,

Anyone can book the reading room at Gaydon and request the production record books, of which I believe there are several

Are you volunteering?


Cheers
Mark


Mark Hester

Last shot.
Anyone in UK going to Gaydon any time soon and can have a quick look at the production records?

This car may still survive perhaps.

Cheers
Mark
Mark Hester

Mark,

I'm still looking at the options for getting to Gaydon.

The reading room require at least 7 days notice which is my stumbling block at the moment as I get the occasional afternoon free but at short notice.

Regards...John
J Bray

Hi John,

I didn't know it was 7 days booking in advance, thanks for letting me know

Mark
Mark Hester

This thread was discussed between 06/12/2012 and 24/02/2013

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