When was your MGF/TF produced? VIN numbers

David Aiketgate wrote:-

I've transferred all the Vin number chat into this thread from QI to simplify things. Please post your VIN enquiries here.

TYVM Bryan

SARRDWBGBAD017050

Be interesting to know a bit more.

Laz1957 wrote: TYVM Bryan

SARRDWBGBAD017050

Be interesting to know a bit more.

Hi Laz1957
Sorry, nothing startling about your MGF. It is a Standard, 2 Door, K series 1.8 Mpi (120PS), 5 speed manual, 96/97 production made on CAB2 production line at Longbridge. They were producing approximately 265 cars a week in 1996 and 1997 and I would estimate from the serial number the approximate build date to be in February 1997 ( an accurate dating certificate can be obtained at a cost of £100) Your engine number should start 18K4FJ31 ****** ~ I would be interested to know when it was first registered (I can get it from the reg no. P??? ??? to save you looking in the V5) as I understand that they were “flying off the shelves” as fast as they could be made.

if its got green paint on the engine or bolts it will be even more special as it would of been 1 of mine from green shift :woohoo:
k series jba line. one of the best shifts running at the time followed by red and yellow shift. then later on around 1999, 2000 another line was put in called the hazmac line (blue and white Shift) which was smaller than the jba to cope with the k series demand.
also we supplied engines for FSO a polish car company but stopped after they didnt pay there bill .

Engine number: 18K4FJ31 421018

Reg: P528KEF

Thanks for all this - I'm going to check the paint colour as well.

Thanks for this. And your absolutely right, they are all unique

Laz, Your production date will be a bit later in 1996. Mine is car #3068. It left the production line on Jan 15/96 and was first registered on Jan 23rd. Now that's quick!

Ray, Where did you mark the engine? I have to check!

Laz1957 wrote: Engine number: 18K4FJ31 421018

Reg: P528KEF

Thanks for all this - I'm going to check the paint colour as well.

Thanks for this. And your absolutely right, they are all unique

P528 KEF was first registered on 09 March 1998 as a 1997 (P) registration (becasuse it was made in 1997) in West Hartleypool.
I do not have any way of finding out if it sat in stock somewhere for a year (which i doubt) or it went abroad? I do know that some RHD Fs were shipped to Japan and then came back. Jim Jupp wrote a follow up article in MGE a couple of months ago about his "bargain bucket" that i discovered had spent the first two years of its life in Japan.

There is a paint code chart here on the forum, i would guess that it is Flame Red Code COF

Rich in Vancouver wrote: Laz, Your production date will be a bit later in 1996. Mine is car #3068. It left the production line on Jan 15/96 and was first registered on Jan 23rd. Now that's quick!

Ray, Where did you mark the engine? I have to check!

I based my calculations on yours 15/01/96 at 3068 ~ mine was September 1996 and is 13,290 and as they were making approximately 265 cars a week i worked out that it would be sometime in February 1997 ~ first registration date in UK is interesting too!!

Yes it is Flame Red (COF)

wonder what happened that 1st year? :ohmy:

we may share birthdays - 23rd Feb :lol:

On the MGF/TF QI facts thread Brian started providing some information about the production dates and rayb is giving information about productions, very interesting.

I know a little bit of information about mine but wouldn't mind knowing more if Brian, or rayb, or other have more information about it.

Mine is SARRDWBGBAD001858. I believe is was produced in October, 1995. I do know that it was first registered on Dec 12, 1995. Any additional information would be appreciated.

Mark

Have you completed Dieter's VIN survey, he was able to confirm a lot of info on my car.

http://www.mgfcar.de/vin/index.htm

Great idea to complete Dieter's VIN survey.
This will help build a better knowledge of the MGF/TF's out there.

I have added more information on the VIN Number on page 5 of the MGF/TF QI Facts see this post

I didn't want to clutter up the QI post with my request for info/self interest.

Yes, I have completed Dieter's VIN survey. It was interesting to read that mine may be # 1608 of the production line. And I see that there were not a whole lot of amaranth coloured car produced; I know my wife doesn't like the colour and it isn't easy to get touch-up paint to match either.