31 replies to this topic

[MUNGO]

Model: ???
Year:1985

Don't know what model we have:

1. Mini Ritz ?
2. City E ?
3. Mayfair ?

I found the chassis number...

3AXXL2S1020278749

The "S' could be a "5".

Any help would be great. Thanks!

[MUNGO]

Here's some pics...

[Guess-Works.com]

Well... unfortunately it looks like none of the above models any more...

Ideally, if you still have the UK Registration Doc then that would tell you... however from the VIN I can tell you it's not a mayfair..

so City / City E or a Ritz ( which was an LE City )

The engine number will differentiate between a City and City E ( as the final drive was different on the city E, 2.95:1 ) you can check that here.. http://www.guess-wor...ical/engine.htm

If you have the VIN tag, then also look for the paint/trim code, All Ritz's were silver therefore paint code MME and trim code JCH

[MUNGO]

Thanks for the help. We don't have the UK Registration Doc. Where can I find the engine numbers? It's a shame that the car has been changed beyond it's identity.

Thanks, John

[Ethel]

Thanks for the help. We don't have the UK Registration Doc. Where can I find the engine numbers? It's a shame that the car has been changed beyond it's identity.

Thanks, John

Well it is a Mini

Looks like its got fixed rear side glass which suggests city too.

[MUNGO]

Will the engine number tell witch model it is?

[Ethel]

Is it the original engine?

I'd say it's a City of some description but it has been heavily customised. The E stands for economy so lower diff ratio and higher compression.

[MUNGO]

It gets approx. 40-45 m.p.g.s I can only assume it's the original engine.

[Guess-Works.com]

Well it's got a Chassis tag and not a VIN tag... so could be absolutely anything... Also being very odd to have a 998 with air con ( unless you've fitted it )

I think you can safely say you are never going to find out the originality of that vehicle as it's probably been 'butchered' to get it into the US..

[MUNGO]

We fitted the a/c. It is registered as a 1973 Morris Mini.

[Dan]

Yeah I was going to say the presence of the chassis tag made it older than a 1985 car. The identity is older I mean, not any of the physical parts that are currently fitted because even the body probably started life as a different vehicle. Like most more modern Minis that have been imported to the US, your car is a real bitsa. I don't think you'll ever be able to find what any of it was orignally, all you can be sure of is that it didn't all start as one piece so you can probably pick any one of a few different identities if you want.

[MUNGO]

We could say we have a Mini Bitsa Limited Edition!

[mini_mad69]

Thanks for the help. We don't have the UK Registration Doc. Where can I find the engine numbers? It's a shame that the car has been changed beyond it's identity.

Thanks, John

Well it is a Mini

Looks like its got fixed rear side glass which suggests city too.

Ritz's had fixed windows on them aswell.



Although, im not sure if mini city's or city e's had a radio, I know Ritz's did, and you seem to have the original arial hole aswell.


It's going to be very hard to tell what you've got as everything has been replaced, one of the most outstanding features of the ritz was is vibrant interior. The dash rails, clocks shroud, and seatbelts were blue. The door cards and seats were cream, orange and blue. But seeing as how it's been completly changed it doesn't look like your going to find out. If you had any documents from the UK it might help, but as all of the paperwork has been changed it seems unlikly.

If your very determined, you could try finding a discreet area and digging through the paint, if you find metalic silver in there its probably a Ritz.

Edited by mini_mad69, 01 January 2009 - 05:35 PM.

[MUNGO]

When I sanded the rail under the bonnet to find the chassis number I don't remember seeing any metallic silver.

[mini_mad69]

When I sanded the rail under the bonnet to find the chassis number I don't remember seeing any metallic silver.

Oh

I don't know then.