Series 2 car, Mk1 stamping on inner wing

Philippe Holland

Philippe Holland

Member
Apologies if this subject has come up before, but I couldn't find anything when searching.
Both of my cars are series 2, one a French spec car and one a Belgian. Both of them have Mk1 stamped after the chassis number on the left hand side inner wing (when sitting in the car).
Can anyone explain this please as I have always found this odd.
Philippe
 
Hopefully I managed to upload these images correctly. I still find it odd to see MK1 on a series 2 car.
Any ideas or explanations?
 

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That is quite strange. '484' is export 3500S, so I suppose it was 'Mk 1' as there was never a Series I manual car...

This is one I've not seen before though. I've seen export 3500 autos close up, do not remember seeing 'Mk 1' on those....
 
My export lhd Series 2 3500 auto is also stamped MK1.
Were Series 1 cars stamped MK1?
Could it be that old stock series 1 lhd bodyshells were used for the first Series 2 cars?
 
Philippe
Speaking to Mark Gray now - has your car got a automatic base unit? - it appears these may be cars using unused NADA base units. A few have come to light including one in Italy Mark has knowledge of.

Are your cars auto or manual?

Critically - please could we have the base unit number from the boot to clarify.

Has your car got a '485' engine - emissions controlled 3500S?

Cheers
Nick
 
I'll check both cars and report back.
The 3500S has no emission controlled equipement, but I'll check the engine number. It is a manual car.
Incidently, the 3500S is the earliest 484 car on Rudiger's database.

The 3500 Auto is by definition and auto.

Where do I need to look in the boot please to find the base unit number?
Thanks,
Philippe
 
Philippe
Under the carpet inside the boot on the lip on the left hand side from behind the car, it will be bumper side of the spare wheel. Usually you have to peel the carpet back. Black plate, may be difficult to read.

Cheers
Nick
 
Thanks Nick and Mark for the info, I'll stop by the garage in the morning and check the base unit numbers, but in the meantime I have come across these two adverts for P6s for sale in France and they are both 'listed' as MK1s...
http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/104409539.htm?ca=12_s
http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/209892956.htm?ca=12_s

Also, my 3500 auto is a suffix B car (45402417B) with fixed seatbelts rather than inertia-reel belts...I thought the change came during the suffix A period?
Best regards,
Philippe
 
Phillipe, could you post us some pictures of both your cars please. In particular, things that might betray the car having once been a NADA 3500S. Such as, evidence of the engine having had AED chokes, upstands on the bonnet shut panel, interior shots that might show things like a foot dip switch or perhaps a stainless steel end finisher to the end of the instrument cluster etc. One theory for these "Mk 1" cars is that they could be unsold 3500S NADA models, recycled as 484's to the continent, and the Mk1 is the identifier to show people that the car isn't what it now appears to be.

Chris
 
Chris hi,
I am not sure what the 'upstands' are, but neither car has the NADA spec details that you mentioned. I'll take some pics tomorrow.
Regards, Philippe
(very odd all of this)
 
Philippe Holland said:
Chris hi,
I am not sure what the 'upstands' are, but neither car has the NADA spec details that you mentioned. I'll take some pics tomorrow.
Regards, Philippe
(very odd all of this)
Click to expand...

It is - we have info on other '484's being autos with NADA touches on them, at least. Trying to get to the bottom of what's happened here.
Cheers
Nick
 
Don´t know why - but I always saw/see this stamped (or named in adverstisements) "Mk1" on cars running in France......

Rudiger
 
I knew somebody who tried to register an "Morris 1100" in France and was not allowed to as the car had never officially been imported into France. He fitted the equivalent "Austin 1100" badge and all was OK as the Austin version of the same car was recognised. Maybe Rover put a plate on the cars with Mk 1 on it for the same reason. Certainly if all French series 2 cars have it on, it is one way to get around it being considered as a different model. The rules for importing and registering foreign cars are a bit odd by UK standards!
 
Officially '484's are LHD Export 3500S Mk2 Manual
However it would appear that some of the '484's are Auto and one is actually a RHD.
 
Rudiger Wicke said:
... and I know a NADA 3500S with 484 chassis number ......

Rudiger
Click to expand...

That's the point - there is a mystery here. I've never looked at the '484' book at Gaydon, a visit may be nescessary.
 
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