How can I tell what year it is?

[Rene Toussaint]

I recently purchased a MG replica. It is on a VW pan. All I can say is that the rear end has independent suspension. Someone told me it could be a 69 or a 70. If I need parts like shocks, Balljoints, tie rods brakes and whatever else, I’m sure the auto parts store will ask me what year is it. Thanks for your help

[Toller]

The chassis serial # which is located on the on the top of the tunnel between the bucket seats (if you don’t have bucket seats you may have to remove the seat back rest)forward of the transaxel linkage access cover. You can then cross reference the number to those in this table. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

David B Dixon
Port Perry ON CA
Sabine

[Rene Toussaint]

Thanks David.
I removed the passenger side seat bottom. Then I was able to peel back the carpeting exposing the top of the tunnel. From the shifter mechanism, the linkage access cover is back about 18”. They had put a very thick coat of something all over the flooring and tunnel. I look real close and right in front of the access cover hole, it appeared to maybe be a number. I scraped of the costing material, wire brushed it and sure enough, there it was.
This is the number: 1102421833.

[Rene Toussaint]

Using your chart and if I read it right, mine was built in December of 1969. Is that right?

The number under the generator stand is:
H5351754. I don’t know if that can be broken down as to what I have for a engine.

[Rene Toussaint]

It could also be November of 1969

[Paul Mossberg]

The engine code:

H5351754

H5 1968-69 1500cc 44bhp DIN, 53HP SAE M157 USA/Canada

The rest of it is just a serial number.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/engine_letters.php

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Rene Toussaint]

The number I located on top of the tunnel would that also be considered the VIN number? If no one knows the answer I guess the only way to find out is if there is a member her that has a 1969 VW bug sedan to locate that number on theirs and compare it to their known VIN number.

If that is not the VIN number then who assigns a number and when? Is it the manufacture as it rolls off the assembly line?

[Gregg Strain]

I’m not certain of this, but I understand that 69 was the first year for the IRS transmission and the only year that has two drain plugs for the shifty box! Mine is a 69.

[Rene Toussaint]

I have no idea what you’re getting to. I just want to know if the serial number on top of the tunnel is the VIN number

[Paul Mossberg]

@renet, yes. The number stamped into the VW tunnel is the VIN for your VW donor car.

It may have been used as the VIN for the MG replica. But that varies by state.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Rene Toussaint]

Thanks Paul. What’s strange is that the vin I have is NH04001. It has been used for the last 35 years. I have some history that shows that. It is a number assigned to the car from the state of NH. I think the very 1st owner of the car was from NH and he went to the state to get that vin number. Just wondering why they didn’t use that number on the tunnel.
Maybe it’s a state thing because the car is actually a pretty much new car assembly.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks, 2 days ago by Rene Toussaint.

[Paul Mossberg]

@renet Rene, that is exactly what I was referring to. Some states would use the VIN of the donor car as the VIN for the completed replica, other states would assign a new VIN.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Paul Mossberg]

@renet

Rene, you can determine the year of the donor VW using this chart

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bugchassisdating.php

Don’t think I can help with determining the year of your kit.

Paul

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Rene Toussaint]

Yes I already did. David in post #308981 provided the same link. My serial number breaks down to be November or December of 1969.

[Author]

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