Canadian MGB LE - Commission Number?

[Collin]

My name is Collin, and I'm a new member, so hello to all. I've spent most of my working life in the auto trade, served my appreticeship in the North East (Geordie) and currently live in Canada.

I have the chance to buy a Canadian MGB LE. From what I've found to date, it's a Limited Edition with only 250 units produced for Canada. The current owner is advertising it as #73 of 250, but I've not been able to verify that number. This MGB is 04/1979 and the last six digits of the VIN are 492760. I know the VIN for #1 of 250 ends with 492071, so the car looks to be in the correct range, but I can't find out how to decode #73.

I also came across the following information but can't verify it. Also, I've not heard of a Commission Number before.

The number of your Canadian MGB LE refers to its production number within the limited run of 250 cars. To determine your specific number, you'll need to locate the Commission Number on your car. This number, stamped on a plate secured to the bonnet lock platform, indicates the car's individual production sequence. The first Canadian LE, for example, was car number 492071, and the 500,000th MGB produced was a US LE, number 509313.
How to find your car's number:
1. Locate the Commission Number plate: This plate is typically found on the bonnet lock platform (the area under the hood, near the latch).
2. Read the number: The number stamped on the plate is your car's unique production number within the 250 limited editions.

Can anyone please help to clarify this?
Thanks.
Collin

[Ian F]

The VIN and commission number are two separate numbers, the commission number being the one on the bonnet slam panel
The VIN number is on a plate fixed to the inner wing by the radiator..
If these numbers/plates are missing you may have difficulty determining the cars identity.
The VIN is most important I think, contact British Motor Heritage and ask for a record of your car.

Ian F

[Charles Farran]

Per Clausager , he states that "it appears that the practice of issuing commission plates ceased with the end of the 1976 model year" for the American
market that presumably applied to Canada as well. The body number being stamped on the bonnet lock platform. You may find a plate on the inside of
the door opening on the driver's side (LHD) which was used on later American market cars).
Cheers, Charles

[Ian F]

Thanks Charles. I wonder why they stopped?

Ian

[Charles Farran]

Hi Ian,
I'm not really sure, but it is suggested that "commission numbers" were really part of the internal management process , whereas the VIN number was that used for identification externally , both in the U.K. & overseas & the dealer networks for sales & parts ordering. My VIN number is on the bonnet slam plate.
In Collin's case, there was ,per Clausager, the following:-
"Rdst Can 492071, Rdst Fed 492107, Rdst Cal 492129(Mar79)
First North American roadsters to Limited Edition or 'Special' specification (sometimes referred to at the factory as 'Jubilee' models); fitted with
cast-alloy wheels,special leather-covered alloy spoke steering wheel,and tape stripes; front air dam fitted by NA importers;many cars also fitted
with luggage rack and floor mats by NA importers; some cars fitted with air conditioning in USA but never in the factory;Black paint,black or beige
trim;tyre size 185/70R-14,Dunlop SP4 or Uniroyle Rallye;new spare wheel clamp, wheel nuts & spanner,to suit alloy wheels; available either with or
without overdrive"
I suspect the numbering of the specials may not have run in sequence for each export market looking at the starting numbers for the 3 markets indicated above, as clearly if there were 250 destined for Canada, then , the other two markets' numbers start before 250 for Canada were reached!
Cheers,Charles

[Ian F]

Seems best just to focus on the VIN and see what BMH can offer.

Ian