Rootes and Chrysler U.K. Passenger Cars


Chassis Codes issued

The list is not complete, but will be updated as information becomes available and time permits. The Avenger and Imp Ranges of Chassis Codes issued will also be added to complete the production history. Unless requested I will not include the Chrysler Simca or Rootes Commercial Vehicles data, but the information is available if anybody requires it. The production dates shown are of a general guide only, unless they include a month, then they are accurate.

Submitted by Chris McGovern who can be contacted at 100331.1760@compusurve.com

Last update 22nd November 1995

Up to and including Light Car Range of Vehicles

MODELCOMMENCING
CHASSIS
NUMBER
ENDING
CHASSIS
NUMBER
PRODUCTION
DATES
Hillman Minx Mk. 1Approx. July 1945
to December 1947
Hillman Minx Mk. 11December 1947
to September 1948
Hillman Minx Mk. 1111900001September 1948
to November 1949
Hillman Minx Mk. 1VA1000001November 1949
to October 1951
Hillman Minx Mk. VA1100001October 1951
to February 1953
Hillman Minx Mk. V1A1300001February 1953
to October 1953
Hillman Minx Mk. V11A1400001October 1953
to October 1954
Hillman Minx Mk. V111A1500001October 1954/
Hillman Minx Mk. V111
Special side valve model
A15700011955
Hillman Minx Mk. V111A15835011955
Hillman Husky Mk. 1A2400001October 1954/1957
Hillman Minx Series 1 De-Luxe
Special
A1600001
A1650001
May 1956
to August 1957
Hillman Minx Series 11 De-Luxe
Special
A1800001
A1850001
August 1957
to September 1958
Hillman Minx Series 111 De-Luxe
Special
A1900001
A1965001
September 1958
to September 1959
Hillman Minx Series 111A De-Luxe
Special
B1000001
B0000001
September 1959
to August 1960
Hillman Minx Series 111B De-Luxe
Special
B1100001
B0100001
August 1960
to August 1961
Hillman Minx Series 111C De-LuxeB0200001August 1961
to
Hillman Minx Series V De-LuxeB0300001
B03500001
1963
1964
Hillman Minx Series V1 De-LuxeB0060000011965
Hillman Husky Series 1A28000001January 1958
to March 1960
Hillman Husky Series 11B2000001March 1960
to 1962
Hillman Husky Series 111B2100001
B21100001
1963
1964/1965
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 1B1200001October 1961
to
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 11B13000011963
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 111B140000011964
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 1VB0340000011965/1966
Humber Hawk Mk. 1approx. July 1945
to September 1947
Humber Hawk Mk 11September 1947
to October 1948
Humber Hawk Mk. 111October 1948
to September 1950
Humber Hawk Mk. 1VSeptember 1950
to September 1952
Humber Hawk Mk. VSeptember 1952
to June 1954
Humber Hawk Mk. V1A5400001June 1954/1956
Humber Hawk Series 1A5700001May 1957
to October 1959
Humber Hawk Series 1AB5000001October 1959
to October 1960
Humber Hawk Series 11B51000011961
Humber Hawk Series 111B52000011962/1963
Humber Hawk Series 1V manual
Automatic
B54000001
B054600001
1964/1965
1965/1966
Humber Snipe
Chassis only
Export R.H.D
4710001
4700001
4730001
4711209
4700015
4730016
August 1945
to
Humber Super Snipe Mk. 1
Export R.H.D.
Export L.H.D.
Chassis only
C.K.D.
8710001
8730001
8740001
8700001
8770001
8711153
8730878
8740772
8700344
8770762
Approx July 1945
to September 1948
Humber Super Snipe Mk. 11
C.K.D.
8800001
8810001
8807287
8811074
September 1948
to August 1950
Humber Super Snipe Mk. 111
C.K.D.
Heavy Duty
A8000001
A8010001
A8020001
A8007679
A8010324
A8020700
August 1950
to October 1952
Humber Super Snipe Mk. 1V
C.K.D.
Heavy Duty
A8200001
A8215001
A8250001
A820599
A8217508
A8251353
October 1952
to
Humber Super Snipe Mk. 1V A
C.K.D.
Heavy Duty
A8400001
A8430001
A8450001
A8400651
A8430324
A8450025
Humber Super Snipe Mk. 1V B
C.K.D.
Heavy Duty
A8410001
A8460001
A8450101
A8411272
A8460720
A8450460
September 1955
to October 1958
Humber Super Snipe Series 1A8900001October 1958
to October 1959
Humber Super Snipe Series 11B8000001October 1959
to October 1960
Humber Super Snipe Series 111B8100001October 1960
to
Humber Super Snipe Series 1VB82000011962/1963
Humber Super Snipe Series V
-
B84000001
B084600001
1964/1965
1965 onwards
Humber Pullman Mk. 1198000011948/1949
Humber Pullman Mk. 111A90000011950/1951
Humber ImperialB84300001
B884400001
1964/1965
1965 onwards
Humber Sceptre Mk. 1B3100001
B31200001
1963
1964
Humber Sceptre Mk. 11B1320000011965 onwards
Singer HunterH2567ZH4770Z-
to September 1956
Singer Gazelle Series 1
C.K.D.
A7600001
A76750001
A7604344
A7675642
September 1956
to October 1957
Singer Gazelle Series 11
Pre Production
A7800001
A7700001
A7801582
A7700019
October 1957
to February 1958
Singer Gazelle Series 11A
C.K.D.
A7850001
A7880025
A7853824
A7885324
February 1958
to September 1958
Singer Gazelle Series 111
C.K.D.
A7900001
A7950001
A7910929
A7951248
September 1958
to September 1959
Singer Gazelle Series 111A
C.K.D.
B7000001
B7080001
B7012491
B7081776
September 1959
to August 1960
Singer Gazelle Series 111B Saloon
Estate Car
B7035001
B7012432
B7043272
-
August 1960
to July 1961
Singer Gazelle Series 111CB7150001B7165115July 1961
to September 1963
Singer Gazelle Series V
-
C.K.D.
B7300001
B73100001
B7360001
-
B7311804
-
October 1963
To August 1965
Singer Gazelle Series V1
C.K.D.
B706000001
B706900001
B706014842
-
September 1965
to September 1966
Singer Vogue Mk. 1
C.K.D
B7100001
B7180001
July 1961
to September 1962
Singer Vogue Mk. 11
C.K.D.
B7200001
B7280001
B7220021
-
October 1962
to September 1964
Singer Vogue Mk. 111
C.K.D.
B74000001
B74750001
October 1964
to September 1965
Singer Vogue Mk. 1V
C.K.D.
B774000001
B774900001
B774010329October 1965
To September 1966
Talbot 10 1936 model100125001936
Talbot 10 1937 model300133501937
Talbot 10 1938 model500168001938
Sunbeam Talbot 10 1939 model40001427521939
Sunbeam Talbot 10 1940 model101(010)952(010)1940
Sunbeam Talbot 10 1001(010)4719(010)Approx. July 1945
to June 1948
Sunbeam Talbot 2 Litre 1940 model101(200)279(200)1940
Sunbeam Talbot 2 Litre 301(200)1425(200)Approx. July 1945
to June 1948
Sunbeam Talbot 3 Litre type BP21800190501938
Sunbeam Talbot 3 Litre type BX219051
9128
9097
9296
1939/1940
Sunbeam Talbot 4 Litre model BY101(400)200(400)1939/1940
Sunbeam Talbot 4 Litre model BZ201(400)328(400)1939/1940
Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk. 138000013804000June 1948
to September 1950
Sunbeam Talbot 80 Mk. 128000012803500June 1948
to September 1950
Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk. 11A3000001A3009708September 1950
to September 1952
Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk. 11AA3009709A3016387?September 1952
to October 1954
Sunbeam Mk. 111A3500001A3505249October 1954
to
Sunbeam Alpine Mk. 1A3011393March 1953/1954
Sunbeam Alpine Mk. 111A3500001A35052491955
Sunbeam Rapier Series 1A3600001September 1956
February 1959
Sunbeam Rapier Series 11A3800001February 1959
to September 1959
Sunbeam Rapier Series 111B3000001September 1959
to April 1961
Sunbeam Rapier Series 111AB3050001April 1961/1962
Sunbeam Rapier Series 1VB3300001
B33100001
1963
1964
Sunbeam Rapier Series VB3250000011965 onwards
Sunbeam Alpine Series 1B9000001B9011904October 1959
to October 1960
Sunbeam Alpine Series 11B9100001B9119956October 1960
to February 1963
Sunbeam Alpine Series 11 CKDB9150001B9150073October 1960
to February 1963
Sunbeam Alpine Series 111B9200001B9205863March 1963
to January 1964
Sunbeam Alpine Series 111 CKDB9250001B9250241March 1963
to January 1964
Sunbeam Alpine Series 1VB9400001
B94100001
B9407936
B94104470
January 1964
to September 1965
Sunbeam Alpine Series 1V CKDB9450001B9450055January 1964
to September 1965
Sunbeam Alpine Series VB395000001B395019122September 1965
to January 1968
Sunbeam Tiger 260B9470001
B382000001
1964
1965 onwards
Sunbeam Tiger 11 289B3821000011967

Hunter Range of Vehicles

MODELCOMMENCING
CHASSIS
NUMBER
ENDING
CHASSIS
NUMBER
PRODUCTION
DATES
Hunter Mk. 1B051000001October 1966/1967
Arrow
(North America only)
B051000001
B052000001
1966/1967
1967/1968
Hunter Mk. 11B052000001
B053000001
LB053500001
LG053600001
-
-
-
LG053610526
1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/October 1970
Minx De-LuxeB011000001
B012000001
January 1967/1968
1969
Minx BasicB022000001October 1968
Minx De-LuxeLB012500001
LG012600001
-
LG012610529
1969/1970
1970/October 1970
Arrow
(North America only)
B0110000011966/1968
Minx EstateB081000001
B082000001
LB0825000001
LG082600001
-
-
-
LG082610336
April 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/October 1970
Arrow Estate
(North America only)
B0810000011966/1968
Hillman G.T.B041000001
LB041000001
LG41600001
October 1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
SceptreB111000001
B112000001
LB112500001
LG112600001
LH090600001
L3090600001
September 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1972/73
Vogue SaloonB751000001
B752000001
LB752500001
LB353000001
LG353600001
-
-
LB752502453
-
LG353610522
October 1966/1968
1969
1969/April 1970
April 1970/
1970/October 1970
Vogue EstateB781000001
B782000001
LB782500001
LB383500001
LG383600001
-
-
LB782500391
-
LG383610385
April 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
April 1970/
1970/October 1970
GazelleB711000001
B712000001
-
B712006800
January 1967/1968
up to April 1970
RapierB341000001
B342000001
LB342500001
LG342600001
LH190600001
L3190600001
1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1972/1973
Rapier H120B391000001
LB391500001
LG391600001
LH120600001
L3120600001
1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1972/1973
Arrow (North America only)B3590000011969/1970
Alpine Coupe (North America only)B3890000011969
Alpine G.T. (North America only)B3990000011969
AlpineLB389502571
LG389600001
LH100600001
L3100600001
1969/1970
1970/1971
1971/1972
1972/1973
Hunter De-Luxe Saloon
Estate
LG063600001
LG085600001
October 1970/1971
Hunter SuperLG074600001
Hunter G.L. Saloon
Estate
LG058600001
LG087600001
Hunter G.T.LG830600001
Hunter De-Luxe SaloonLH064600001
L3064600001
1972
1972/1973
Hunter De-Luxe EstateLH160600001
L3160600001
1972
1972/1973
Hunter SuperLH075600001
L3075600001
1972
1972/1973
Hunter G.L.LH059600001
L3075600001
1972
1972/1973
Hunter G.L. EstateLH150600001
L3150600001
1972
1972/1973
Hunter GLSLH040600001
L3040600001
1972
1972/1973
Hunter G.T.LH831600001
L3831600001
1972
1972/1973

Interpretation of Chassis No. coding

Earlier Chassis numbering system

(Not applicable to Avenger Range)

The chassis numbering in use before the introduction of the new format described later consists of a numerical sequence of seven or more digits with a prefix letter, together with letter and/or letter and number suffix combinations. The suffixes are not detailed in the reference pages, as these indicate production variations not necessarily associated with all vehicles of one particular type.

Exception - Hillman Minx 111 has no prefix letter.

Prefix letters

Other than in the case of the 1949 Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk.11 and early Mk. 11A, which are prefixed 'A', no prefix letter denotes model period prior to 1950.

Prefix letter 'A' denotes model period 1950 - 1959

Prefix letter 'B' denotes model period 1960 onwards

(Note) Late production Hunter Range vehicles incorporated within this period carry prefix letters 'LB' to indicate Linwood manufacture.

For many years it has been practice to build into the chassis number an indication of model and year of manufacture,

e.g. A 1300001

A = 1950 - 1959
1 = Hillman Minx
3 = Minx Mk. V1, 1953

However, owing to the many changes to the original coding it is necessary for the whole to be treated as a manufacturing serial number as the original method of identification cannot always be applied.

Suffix letters

These fall into two main headings, one of a combination of three letters, or two letters and one numerical digit, in certain instances preceded by another of one to six letters.

When two combinations are present the first indicates:-

B.W. - Borg-Warner Automatic Transmission
P.O.S. - Power Operated Steering
E - Easidrive Automatic Transmission
O.D. - Overdrive Transmission
L - Low Compression Engine
M - Medium Compression Engine
H - High Compression Engine

The final combination indicates:-

First letter

H - Home
R - R.H.D. Export
L - L.H.D. Export
E - C.K.D. Export Home Specification
W - C.K.D. R.H.D. Export
X - C.K.D. L.H.D. Export

Second Letter

C - Convertible
H - Hardtop
L - Limousine
R - Roadster
S - Saloon
P - Pick-up
U - Estate Car
V - Van
X - Chassis only

Third letter or number

M - Ministry of Supply
O - Standard
X - Non-Standard
P - Police Specification
3 - Small bore engine for Bermuda (reduced capacity)

Example

B084600001 H/OD/POS HSM

Series V Super Snipe, High Compression Engine, Overdrive, Power Steering, Home Specification, Saloon Body, Ministry of Supply.


Avenger Range

(Original chassis numbering system)
Vehicles of the Avenger Range produced before the introduction of the new format must be considered seperately from the earlier numbering system, owing to prefix and suffix differences. Later production conforms to the new format which is described later.

Example - If a Chassis Plate shows this:-

Chassis
No.
R F 211 000115 R - 5 - 2
Colour Code108 - 701 - H

The letters and numbers of the Chassis number refer to:-

1st letter R = Plant (1)
2nd letter F = Series Year (2)
1st 3 numbers 211 = Product Code (3)
Next 6 numbers 000115 = Serial Number (4)
Next letter R = Indicates Right or Left Hand Drive (in this case R.H.D.) (5)
Next letter (or number) 5 = Engine Code (6)
Next number 2 = Gearbox Code (7)

The letters and numbers of the Colour Code number refer to:-

1st 3 numbers 108 = Paint Code (8)
2nd 3 numbers 701 = Trim Code (9)

Last letter H = Market Indicator (10)


Variations

(1) Plant Indicator - R = Ryton

(2) Series Year - (Internal model year indicator code)

(3) Product Code (Three digits)
211 = De Luxe (Export, Sunbeam 1250/1500)
221 = Super (Export, Sunbeam 1250/1500 De Luxe)
231 = G.L. (Export, Sunbeam 1250/1500 Super)

(4) Serial Number (six digits)
000,001 onwards

(5) Right or Left hand Drive
R = Right hand Drive
L = Left Hand Drive

(6) Engine Code
B = 1250cc. High Compression
5 = 1500cc. High Compression
6 = 1500cc. Low Compression

(7) Gearbox Code
2 = Manual Transmission
4 = Automatic Transmission

(8) Paint Code - See Paint and Trim Codes under New format chassis numbering.

(9) Trim Code - See Paint and Trim Codes under New format chassis numbering.

(10) Market Indicator
H = Home
E = Export


New Chassis Number Format

A new vehicle identification format was introduced in July 1970.

New chassis plate example:-

Chassis
No.
R G 211 000115
Service
Code
H AA HPaint
Code
108
Trim
Code
701Type
Code
211 H 4

Breakdown of details shown in Chassis No. box:-

1st digit is the Plant Indicator (one letter)
L = Linwood
R = Ryton

2nd digit is the Series Year (one letter or figure)
H = H Series
G = G Series
3 = 3 Series

Next 3 digits indicate Product Code (group of three numbers)

IMP RANGEG SERIESH & 3 SERIES
Hillman Imp Basic423423
Hillman Imp De-Luxe413413
Hillman Imp Super443443
Sunbeam Sport593593
Singer Chamois543-
Sunbeam Stiletto302302
Hillman Husky482-
Hillman Imp Van463-

ARROW RANGEG SERIESEARLY H SERIESLATER H & 3 SERIES
Hillman Minx012--
Hillman Minx Estate082--
Hillman Hunter053--
Hillman GT041--
Singer Vogue353--
Singer Vogue Estate383--
Hunter De-Luxe Saloon-063064
Hunter De-Luxe Estate-085160
Hunter Super-074075
Hunter GL Saloon-058059
Hunter GL Estate-087150
Hunter GLS--040
Hunter GT-830031
Humber Sceptre112112090*
Sunbeam Alpine389389100
Sunbeam Rapier342342190*
Rapier H120391391120

* On cars for France these numbers are replaced by L2S (Sceptre) and LSR (Rapier) for H Series and AAE (Sceptre) and AAD (Rapier) for 3 Series.

AVENGER RANGEG SERIESH & 3 SERIES3 SERIES
Avenger Basic Saloon-201-
Avenger De-Luxe Saloon
(Export - Sunbeam 1250/1500)
211211-
Avenger De-Luxe Estate-280-
Avenger Super Saloon
(Export - Sunbeam 1250/1500 De-Luxe)
221221-
Avenger Super Estate-283-
Avenger G.L.
(Export - Sunbeam 1250/1500 Super)
231231-
Avenger G.T.
(Export - Sunbeam 1500 G.T.)
251251-
Cricket Sedan219219-
Cricket Sedan (with options)239239-
Cricket Wagon (Estate)-289-
Sunbeam 1250 S.C. (E.E.C.)--226
Sunbeam 1250 T.C. Saloon (E.E.C.)--236
Sunbeam 1250 T.C. Estate (E.E.C.)--286
Sunbeam 1500 T.C. (E.E.C.)--256
Avenger G.L.S.--252

Next group of six numbers is the SERIAL No.
Commencing 000001 = Ryton
Commencing 600001 = Linwood
Commencing 900001 = C.K.D.

The letters and numbers from the SERVICE CODE box reveal the following:-

1st letter is the ENGINE CODE and tells you which engine is fitted.
A = Imp, 875 c.c. Low Compression
B = Imp, 875 c.c. High Compression
E = Avenger, 1250 c.c., twin carb. High Compression
F = Avenger, 1250 c.c., single carb. High Compression
G = Avenger, 1500 c.c., single carb. Low Compression
H = Avenger, 1500 c.c., single carb. High Compression
K = Avenger, 1500 c.c., twin carb. High Compression
L = Avenger, 1500 c.c., twin carb. Low Compression
M = Arrow, 1500 c.c. Low Compression
N = Arrow, 1500 c.c. High Compression
P = Arrow, 1725 c.c. Low Compression
Q = Arrow, 1725 c.c. High Compression

The 2nd letter or number is the TRANSMISSION CODE and tells you which transmission is fitted:-
A = Automatic transmission with standard axle, Avenger H Series
B = Manual transmission with 3.70 : 1 axle, Arrow
C = Automatic transmission with 3.70 : 1 axle, Arrow
D = Overdrive with 3.70 : 1 axle, Arrow
E = Manual transmission with 3.89 : 1 axle, Arrow
F = Auto transmission with 3.89 : 1 axle, Arrow
G = Overdrive with 3.89 : 1 axle, Arrow
H = Manual transmission with 4.22 : 1 axle, Arrow
J = Automatic transmission with 4.22 : 1 axle, Arrow
K = Overdrive with 4.22 : 1 axle, Arrow
N = Manual transmission with standard axle, Avenger H Series
S = Standard transmission, Imp
W = Manual transmission with non-standard axle, Avenger H Series
X = Automatic transmission with non-standard axle, Avenger H Series
1 = 4.37 : 1 axle with Manual transmission, Avenger 3 Series
2 = 4.37 : 1 axle with Automatic transmission, Avenger 3 Series
3 = 4.11 : 1 axle with Manual transmission, Avenger 3 Series
4 = 4.11 : 1 axle with Automatic transmission, Avenger 3 Series
5 = 3.89 : 1 axle with Manual transmission, Avenger 3 Series
6 = 3.89 : 1 axle with Automatic transmission, Avenger 3 Series

The 3rd letter is the OPTION CODE and indicates the vehicle was fitted with the following:-
A = No other option
B = Servo brakes
C = Servo brakes and radio
D = Servo brakes and heavy duty suspension
E = Servo brakes, heavy duty suspension and radio
F = Radio
G = Radio and heavy duty suspension
H = Heavy duty suspension

The 4th letter is the MARKET AREA the vehicle was intended:-
H = Home, R.H.D.
E = Export, R.H.D.
X = Export, L.H.D.

The PAINT CODE box contains a group of three numbers which refer to the colour of paint used on the vehicle. (a full list of the colour codes will be added at a latter date).

The TRIM CODE box contains a group of three numbers which indicate the colour of trim used in the vehicle and they are as follows:-
000 = Non-standard
701 = Black
707 = Eucalyptus Green
708 = Saddle
709 = Red
713 = Light Blue
714 = Vellum
715 = Green Opalescent
716 = Pewter Opelescent
717 = Tan Opelescent
718 = Blue Opelescent
719 = Olive Opelescent
720 = Turquoise Opelescent
721 = Block Opelescent
722 = Beige Opelescent
724 = Vellum Print

The TYPE CODE box repeats the Product Code, and Engine Code, with the addition of transmission alternatives:-
2 = Manual
3 = Overdrive
4 = Automatic