Section : General

Mk III/Mk IV change over date

Posted By : Tim Peacock, 15-Mar-2005, 01:41pm

• Mk III/Mk IV change over date

  Posted By : Colin Wake, 15-Mar-2005, 03:03pm

  I beleive the Mk4 went on sale 1st Jan 1971.
  
  I also beleive they had a bit of a stockpile ready for selling.
  
  Mine has Mk4 engine no. 14, but a chassis no. in the 900's. It was registered 1/1/71. It was then sold again 6 weeks later, a sign that the owner was disappointed with the performance??
  
  Does your friends one have a black dash?? Does it have short driveshafts??
  
  Early Mk4 identities are in great demand as they can be used to make a late Mk4 or 1500 Tax Exempt.
  
  In lots of cases, all is not what it seems!
  
  Cheers
  
  Colin

  • Mk III/Mk IV change over date

    Posted By : Dave Cox, 15-Mar-2005, 03:40pm

    Colin is usually correct on these and other triumph matters ( all knowing one !!!!)
    All I can say is the model was Launched in Oct 1970. Mine was dispatched on 27/11/70 but registered on 20/1/71 and that has a Com No FH3542 so had they built 3,500 in a couple of months? If you want the nitty gritty invest in a heritage certificate.....
    
    Cheers
    
    Dave

    • Mk III/Mk IV change over date

      Posted By : Tim Peacock, 16-Mar-2005, 11:44am

      Thanks for the swift replies guys!
      
      I've got more info on this car now; The commission number is in the 300's and the original engine number (it's had a replacement at some time) was FH 292 HE so I reckon it must be pretty early.
      
      Having seen the car, I can confirm that it is definitely a Mk IV. Not sure on the length of the drive shafts though, and someone has fitted a later dash.
      
      Although it is basically sound, the car does need a fair amount of work to tidy it up, so I expect any available funds will be spent on this rather than a heratige certificate. Shame really as I'd like to know, as you put it Colin, the nitty gritty.

      • Mk III/Mk IV change over date

        Posted By : Dave Cox, 16-Mar-2005, 12:23pm

        Another thought Tim, if you send in an I.V.R. form from the back of your address label on the Courier it wont cost you a bean and hopefully John the Mk1V/1500 register sec will be able to provide you some info on your car.........

        • Mk III/Mk IV change over date

          Posted By : Colin Wake, 16-Mar-2005, 01:36pm

          Tim
          
          If the car is on standard 4.5J wheels then if it has short drive shafts, the outside edge of the wheel is about 2 inches in from the lip of wheelarch on the rear wing. Long shafts are an inch longer.
          
          The other things you have said seem to hint that it may not be as it appears, and may actually be a later car. The wooden dash / replacement engine etc.
          
          Does it have head rests?
          
          Does it have a front plastic spoiler or a front metal valance behind the number plate?
          
          Is the chrome windscreen trim metal or plastic?
          
          There should be an extra plate welded to the front nearside outrigger, that should give a clue as to when the chassis itself was built. Will start FC.
          
          Cheers
          
          Colin
          
          
          
          

          • Mk III/Mk IV change over date

            Posted By : Graham Stolady, 19-Mar-2005, 03:35pm

            Tim,
            Although the car has a wooden dash it doesn't mean the car is not original/genuine. On my 1972 MkIV I have fitted a wooden dash and a front spoiler and plastic chrome windscreen inserts. Several owners have fitted seats with headrests from a later (1500) car or even an MX5. The practice of changing a cars i/d in order to obtain tax exemption does happen though!
            
            Graham.