New owner of a 1948 TC

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Gene
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New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Gene » Sun Sep 13, 2015 1:29 pm

I recently acquired TC 3909 engine XPAG4557. Am in Virginia, USA. I bought the car from an individual in VA, showing VIN XPAG4551 on the title. I titled in VA using VIN XPAG4551. The earliest copy of an registration in the USA is in California in 1967, where the VIN is XPAG4551. (In old hand written records, [especially in the USA, where we do not cross our sevens] a number 1 and a number 7 are almost identical.)
The owner in California in 1967 was last name Wilson, Fremont, CA.
The individual from whom I purchased it, bought in in 1968 from Wilson, and he kept the car until I bought it from him. Supposedly, a long time CA car.
Can someone give me some info on TC3909/XPAG4557 as is this the original engine no. & when it was built?
Apparently, in the USA, the engine number is the VIN and not the chassis number (TC 3909)
Thanks,
Last edited by Gene on Mon Sep 14, 2015 2:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Steve Simmons
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Steve Simmons » Sun Sep 13, 2015 2:23 pm

Welcome, Gene! The correct "VIN" number for your car would be TC3909. In the old days the numbers would sometimes get mixed up and the engine number would end up on the title. You can have this remedied easily by taking the car to a DMV inspection station. They will give you a signed form to give to the DMV, correcting the info.
1949 TC8975 / XPAG 9609
1948 TC6011 / XPEG1182 (XPAG6472)
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Richard Michell
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Richard Michell » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:36 pm

I am no expert but if the chassis is 3903, this would appear to be a Sept/Oct 1947 car. If the chassis were 4551 or 4557 it would potentially be Jan 1948. This is from the Sherrell book.

The difference between the engine and body number is 648 or 654 which is in the ballpark for the initial build.

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Steve Simmons
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Steve Simmons » Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:48 pm

I suppose it's worth saying that if the engine number matches the number stamped on the maker's plate, then it's almost certainly the original engine. But, replacement plates are available as are engine tags, or the engine tag could have been transferred from one engine to another, so there is no way to be certain. But if the maker's plate looks original then it probably is, and there is your correct engine number.
1949 TC8975 / XPAG 9609
1948 TC6011 / XPEG1182 (XPAG6472)
http://www.mgnuts.com

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Matthew Magilton
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Matthew Magilton » Mon Sep 14, 2015 1:08 am

Gene, you gave two chassis numbers in your post; 3903 and 3909. TC3909 was built with engine number XPAG4557 on 28-10-1947 according to Production Records on the T Register website. (TC's 3910,11 & 12 came to Australia).

Matthew.

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Gene
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Gene » Mon Sep 14, 2015 2:32 am

Matthew:
I have corrected my errors. 1948 TC3909 / XPAG4557 and the ID appears to be original because the car has never been restored, discoloration and a slight corrosion. (Lucky me, no rust or rot) Always garaged since 1968. Many thanks everyone.
Gene

Robert Brennan
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by Robert Brennan » Mon Sep 14, 2015 2:53 pm

Gene, I hope you follow the excellent example of Norm Verona, aka " frenchblatter", and document your struggles. It's so entertaining, knowing you're not alone.

Bob Brennan
S. Freeport, ME
TC7794EXU
Last edited by Robert Brennan on Tue Sep 15, 2015 3:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

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frenchblatter
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Re: New owner of a 1948 TC

Post by frenchblatter » Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:18 am

Been letting the side down this week. I'm waiting for a correct handbrake cable. The one I got has the wrong ferrule on the end and will not allow the handbrake expander to close.

A few days off won't do any harm. When i do get the handbrake and rear right hand shoes on I'll fit the fuel pipe and the loom to the chassis rail and get the rolling chassis to the bodyshop for them to fit the body and paint it.

Then I can start on the engine and gearbox.
Lynne & Norman Verona.

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Visit our website to see what this idiot gets up to in his retirement

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