First production midas found in barn

Newbie? Introduce yourself here!

Ring the bell and say "Hi" by telling us a little about you and your cars. We always have someone in who'll get the door and welcome you to the family!

Moderator: The Midas Forum Staff

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby l_jonez » Fri Jan 13, 2017 7:25 pm

I spoke to my father who bought and built his/my mk2 in 1982, he said the vin was attached when the shell arrived. So it would have been assigned either as it came out of the mold or when he ordered it it was put on a shell, not sure if that helps at all
l_jonez
 
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:37 pm

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby Mi das 1 » Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:57 pm

Hi there just waiting on document's coming back the last owner passed and documents were lost I will get back to you with the registered date shortly thanks for all that information
User avatar
Mi das 1
 
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 9:47 pm

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby Mi das 1 » Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:02 pm

Thanks for that information it's much appreciated
User avatar
Mi das 1
 
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 9:47 pm

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby fozzza » Fri Jan 13, 2017 11:29 pm

I maybe able to shed a little more light on the method Harold used to apply the chassis numbers. When I visited the factory and met Harold, I ordered my MK2 that same day and paid Harold the £200 deposit. He then reached for his order book and wrote in my details as well as a chassis number, ( I think every car he sold was in this book ) he then proceeded to write out my receipt including the chassis number which I have shown below.

Image67 by Roy Forrester, on Flickr

Provided Harold used this same system from the beginning it is my belief that the chassis Numbers relate to the order in which customers purchased their Midas ( so chassis No1 was for the very first customer ) and not necessary what order it came out the mold and I think Harold used the chassis number also as the customer reference number.
This could be confirmed if some original owners of early MK1s had still got there deposit receipts that shows the chassis number on them.
Roy
User avatar
fozzza
 
Posts: 229
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 5:25 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby Mi das 1 » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:12 pm

Hi Alistair and margo just received v5c today Jly 862 v was registered on 01 09 1979 thanks Mark
User avatar
Mi das 1
 
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 9:47 pm

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby ACourtney » Fri Feb 10, 2017 1:33 pm

That clears that up. It looks like the chassis numbers were issued in the order in which they were moulded, which makes good sense.
Mark's car was then the third production car out of the mould, but clearly the first customer car to be collected and also the first production car to be registered.
Evidently Mr Smith of Hendon didn't hang about putting the car together and on to the road.

Just to put that in order:

JLY 862V - Chassis D10002 Registered on 01-09-1979

JEH 448V - Chassis D10000 Registered on 01-10-1979

FNT 349V - Chassis D10001 Registered on 15-11-79

What is great about this story is that the first three production cars still exist and are in the hands of enthusiasts. Perhaps, we can tempt Margo to bring his car over from Tallinn to get all three cars together for a meet up at some point in the future.
User avatar
ACourtney
 
Posts: 488
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 12:22 pm
Location: Oxford

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby benofbrum » Sat Feb 11, 2017 2:11 am

Or perhaps a bunch of MK1's and Mk2's going over to Tallin in 2019 to celebrate the 40th anniversary. maybe taking in a major Mini event en route.
benofbrum
 
Posts: 255
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:58 pm

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby Mi das 1 » Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:35 pm

Sounds like a great idea let's not speak about it let's do it
User avatar
Mi das 1
 
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 9:47 pm

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby Alan D. » Sat Feb 11, 2017 8:38 pm

I would also be interested in going. Especially if we were getting the ferry from North Shields.
Alan
User avatar
Alan D.
 
Posts: 945
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:34 pm
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Re: First production midas found in barn

Postby fozzza » Sun Feb 12, 2017 2:11 pm

It sounds very tempting.
Roy
User avatar
fozzza
 
Posts: 229
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 5:25 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, West Midlands

PreviousNext

Return to The Doorbell - Introduce yourself

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests

cron