I can’t find the Leyland version that was probably used in 70, but here’s a slightly earlier one the same shape on a Triumph. Look for Leykor or Leyland SA vin plates.
You know, I’m a dumbass. If that BMC tag VIN is off a Triumph Spitfire, and it is, it’s clearly post Leyland merger! They must have not changed the name until later.
Thanks Dominik, that’s quite a relief - I had thought the car may have been an old fashioned cut & shut job. I may have a more correct VIN number plate made up anyway. Still, I’d be pleased to know any more or see a pic of your VIN plate.
Looks to me like the bodyshell hung around for quite a while before being built up, I have no idea why.
It seems South Africa did quite a few weird things, they had to have quite a large percentage of the car made or built in SA to avoid import duty so had quite a free hand. The Warwick grey on my car is substantially lighter than the factory grey. Seats appear to be all SA. I had a lovely ex SA Alfa Giulia on which colours and specs varied quite a bit from Euro.
I was surprised to hear that South Africa was for many years in the 60’s-80’s one of the largest export markets for prestige/sports cars.
Sorry, in Germany now and only saw your response today… I get a pic for you soon.
It seems they stamped them in SA in the car, or on a soft (wooden) workbench. That leaves a deeper imprint.
SA still builds most, if not all RHD BMW and Mercedes.