MGA Coupe year

I recently purchased an MGA Coupe as a basket. I have the body plate, unattached but matches the engine number. But, I was told that a chassis number would be located on the front right passenger crossmenber, but cannot find it. I think the car is a late 56 or early 57 but can't be sure as paperwork is from a lien sale and is only partially accurate. It has 12 spline rear axles. Can any of you identify year? The car nr. is HDL43 33974 and engine is BP15GB 24092.

Thanks for your help.

Sorry, but if your car is a coupe, that's not it's original VIN plate. The 'D' in 'HDL43...' indicates that the car is a roadster. The VIN for a coupe would start with 'HM...'

Do you know where the chassis nr. is located on this car, so I can compare?

If someone changed nameplater i bet they ground it off. I may be hard to read but stamped on top maybe some light sanding or wire brushing it will expose it.

there should be a body number on the firwall

The plate I have is from the firewall, and it matches the engine which was mounted to drivetrain when I purchased the car. Seems like a lot of trouble to switch plates like that and still have other parts match. The cross member does not seem to be ground anywhere. Will use paint remover and light sanding as you suggested.

Gil,
The plate frm the firewall is what I have, but it had been removed from the car. It does match the engine that was mounted with trans, drive shaft and rear end when I bought the car, That's why I need the chassis number to compare to the rest. It does not appear that the chassis cross member has been ground at all, so I will get some paint remover, and do some sanding to find that number.
Thanks,

This will help some:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/buying/buy101.htm

Thanks so much for you help.

Welcome to the fixed head society

thanks for the kind works and great help.

Hopefully, a 56 or 57...

dterhune Wrote:

JackMG Wrote:

Or look at the hood - if it bulges somewhat from side to side, it's later model, if it's flat, then it's 56-57.