Rootes and Chrysler U.K. Passenger Cars

Previously published at www.team.net/www/rootes/chassis.html until June 2014 when the server became unresponsive.

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.

Last update 22nd November 1995

Up to and including Light Car Range of Vehicles

MODEL COMMENCING
CHASSIS
NUMBER		 ENDING
CHASSIS
NUMBER		 PRODUCTION
DATES
Hillman Minx Mk. 1 Approx. July 1945
to December 1947
Hillman Minx Mk. 11 December 1947
to September 1948
Hillman Minx Mk. 111 1900001 September 1948
to November 1949
Hillman Minx Mk. 1V A1000001 November 1949
to October 1951
Hillman Minx Mk. V A1100001 October 1951
to February 1953
Hillman Minx Mk. V1 A1300001 February 1953
to October 1953
Hillman Minx Mk. V11 A1400001 October 1953
to October 1954
Hillman Minx Mk. V111 A1500001 October 1954/
Hillman Minx Mk. V111
Special side valve model		 A1570001 1955
Hillman Minx Mk. V111 A1583501 1955
Hillman Husky Mk. 1 A2400001 October 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-Luxe B0200001 August 1961
to
Hillman Minx Series V De-Luxe B0300001
B03500001		 1963
1964
Hillman Minx Series V1 De-Luxe B006000001 1965
Hillman Husky Series 1 A28000001 January 1958
to March 1960
Hillman Husky Series 11 B2000001 March 1960
to 1962
Hillman Husky Series 111 B2100001
B21100001		 1963
1964/1965
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 1 B1200001 October 1961
to
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 11 B1300001 1963
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 111 B14000001 1964
Hillman Super Minx Mk. 1V B034000001 1965/1966
Humber Hawk Mk. 1 approx. July 1945
to September 1947
Humber Hawk Mk 11 September 1947
to October 1948
Humber Hawk Mk. 111 October 1948
to September 1950
Humber Hawk Mk. 1V September 1950
to September 1952
Humber Hawk Mk. V September 1952
to June 1954
Humber Hawk Mk. V1 A5400001 June 1954/1956
Humber Hawk Series 1 A5700001 May 1957
to October 1959
Humber Hawk Series 1A B5000001 October 1959
to October 1960
Humber Hawk Series 11 B5100001 1961
Humber Hawk Series 111 B5200001 1962/1963
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 1 A8900001 October 1958
to October 1959
Humber Super Snipe Series 11 B8000001 October 1959
to October 1960
Humber Super Snipe Series 111 B8100001 October 1960
to
Humber Super Snipe Series 1V B8200001 1962/1963
Humber Super Snipe Series V
-		 B84000001
B084600001		 1964/1965
1965 onwards
Humber Pullman Mk. 11 9800001 1948/1949
Humber Pullman Mk. 111 A9000001 1950/1951
Humber Imperial B84300001
B884400001		 1964/1965
1965 onwards
Humber Sceptre Mk. 1 B3100001
B31200001		 1963
1964
Humber Sceptre Mk. 11 B132000001 1965 onwards
Singer Hunter H2567Z H4770Z -
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 111C B7150001 B7165115 July 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		 B774010329 October 1965
To September 1966
Talbot 10 1936 model 1001 2500 1936
Talbot 10 1937 model 3001 3350 1937
Talbot 10 1938 model 5001 6800 1938
Sunbeam Talbot 10 1939 model 40001 42752 1939
Sunbeam Talbot 10 1940 model 101(010) 952(010) 1940
Sunbeam Talbot 10 1001(010) 4719(010) Approx. July 1945
to June 1948
Sunbeam Talbot 2 Litre 1940 model 101(200) 279(200) 1940
Sunbeam Talbot 2 Litre 301(200) 1425(200) Approx. July 1945
to June 1948
Sunbeam Talbot 3 Litre type BP21 8001 9050 1938
Sunbeam Talbot 3 Litre type BX21 9051
9128		 9097
9296		 1939/1940
Sunbeam Talbot 4 Litre model BY 101(400) 200(400) 1939/1940
Sunbeam Talbot 4 Litre model BZ 201(400) 328(400) 1939/1940
Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk. 1 3800001 3804000 June 1948
to September 1950
Sunbeam Talbot 80 Mk. 1 2800001 2803500 June 1948
to September 1950
Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk. 11 A3000001 A3009708 September 1950
to September 1952
Sunbeam Talbot 90 Mk. 11A A3009709 A3016387? September 1952
to October 1954
Sunbeam Mk. 111 A3500001 A3505249 October 1954
to
Sunbeam Alpine Mk. 1 A3011393 March 1953/1954
Sunbeam Alpine Mk. 111 A3500001 A3505249 1955
Sunbeam Rapier Series 1 A3600001 September 1956
February 1959
Sunbeam Rapier Series 11 A3800001 February 1959
to September 1959
Sunbeam Rapier Series 111 B3000001 September 1959
to April 1961
Sunbeam Rapier Series 111A B3050001 April 1961/1962
Sunbeam Rapier Series 1V B3300001
B33100001		 1963
1964
Sunbeam Rapier Series V B325000001 1965 onwards
Sunbeam Alpine Series 1 B9000001 B9011904 October 1959
to October 1960
Sunbeam Alpine Series 11 B9100001 B9119956 October 1960
to February 1963
Sunbeam Alpine Series 11 CKD B9150001 B9150073 October 1960
to February 1963
Sunbeam Alpine Series 111 B9200001 B9205863 March 1963
to January 1964
Sunbeam Alpine Series 111 CKD B9250001 B9250241 March 1963
to January 1964
Sunbeam Alpine Series 1V B9400001
B94100001		 B9407936
B94104470		 January 1964
to September 1965
Sunbeam Alpine Series 1V CKD B9450001 B9450055 January 1964
to September 1965
Sunbeam Alpine Series V B395000001 B395019122 September 1965
to January 1968
Sunbeam Tiger 260 B9470001
B382000001		 1964
1965 onwards
Sunbeam Tiger 11 289 B382100001 1967

Hunter Range of Vehicles
MODEL COMMENCING
CHASSIS
NUMBER		 ENDING
CHASSIS
NUMBER		 PRODUCTION
DATES
Hunter Mk. 1 B051000001 October 1966/1967
Arrow
(North America only)		 B051000001
B052000001		 1966/1967
1967/1968
Hunter Mk. 11 B052000001
B053000001
LB053500001
LG053600001		 -
-
-
LG053610526		 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/October 1970
Minx De-Luxe B011000001
B012000001		 January 1967/1968
1969
Minx Basic B022000001 October 1968
Minx De-Luxe LB012500001
LG012600001		 -
LG012610529		 1969/1970
1970/October 1970
Arrow
(North America only)		 B011000001 1966/1968
Minx Estate B081000001
B082000001
LB0825000001
LG082600001		 -
-
-
LG082610336		 April 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/October 1970
Arrow Estate
(North America only)		 B081000001 1966/1968
Hillman G.T. B041000001
LB041000001
LG41600001		 October 1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
Sceptre B111000001
B112000001
LB112500001
LG112600001
LH090600001
L3090600001		 September 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1972/73
Vogue Saloon B751000001
B752000001
LB752500001
LB353000001
LG353600001		 -
-
LB752502453
-
LG353610522		 October 1966/1968
1969
1969/April 1970
April 1970/
1970/October 1970
Vogue Estate B781000001
B782000001
LB782500001
LB383500001
LG383600001		 -
-
LB782500391
-
LG383610385		 April 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
April 1970/
1970/October 1970
Gazelle B711000001
B712000001		 -
B712006800		 January 1967/1968
up to April 1970
Rapier B341000001
B342000001
LB342500001
LG342600001
LH190600001
L3190600001		 1967/1968
1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1972/1973
Rapier H120 B391000001
LB391500001
LG391600001
LH120600001
L3120600001		 1969
1969/1970
1970/1971
1972
1972/1973
Arrow (North America only) B359000001 1969/1970
Alpine Coupe (North America only) B389000001 1969
Alpine G.T. (North America only) B399000001 1969
Alpine LB389502571
LG389600001
LH100600001
L3100600001		 1969/1970
1970/1971
1971/1972
1972/1973
Hunter De-Luxe Saloon
Estate		 LG063600001
LG085600001		 October 1970/1971
Hunter Super LG074600001
Hunter G.L. Saloon
Estate		 LG058600001
LG087600001
Hunter G.T. LG830600001
Hunter De-Luxe Saloon LH064600001
L3064600001		 1972
1972/1973
Hunter De-Luxe Estate LH160600001
L3160600001		 1972
1972/1973
Hunter Super LH075600001
L3075600001		 1972
1972/1973
Hunter G.L. LH059600001
L3075600001		 1972
1972/1973
Hunter G.L. Estate LH150600001
L3150600001		 1972
1972/1973
Hunter GLS LH040600001
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 Code 108 - 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 H Paint
Code		 108
Trim
Code		 701 Type
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 RANGE G SERIES H & 3 SERIES
Hillman Imp Basic 423 423
Hillman Imp De-Luxe 413 413
Hillman Imp Super 443 443
Sunbeam Sport 593 593
Singer Chamois 543 -
Sunbeam Stiletto 302 302
Hillman Husky 482 -
Hillman Imp Van 463 -

ARROW RANGE G SERIES EARLY H SERIES LATER H & 3 SERIES
Hillman Minx 012 - -
Hillman Minx Estate 082 - -
Hillman Hunter 053 - -
Hillman GT 041 - -
Singer Vogue 353 - -
Singer Vogue Estate 383 - -
Hunter De-Luxe Saloon - 063 064
Hunter De-Luxe Estate - 085 160
Hunter Super - 074 075
Hunter GL Saloon - 058 059
Hunter GL Estate - 087 150
Hunter GLS - - 040
Hunter GT - 830 031
Humber Sceptre 112 112 090*
Sunbeam Alpine 389 389 100
Sunbeam Rapier 342 342 190*
Rapier H120 391 391 120

* 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 RANGE G SERIES H & 3 SERIES 3 SERIES
Avenger Basic Saloon - 201 -
Avenger De-Luxe Saloon
(Export - Sunbeam 1250/1500)		 211 211 -
Avenger De-Luxe Estate - 280 -
Avenger Super Saloon
(Export - Sunbeam 1250/1500 De-Luxe)		 221 221 -
Avenger Super Estate - 283 -
Avenger G.L.
(Export - Sunbeam 1250/1500 Super)		 231 231 -
Avenger G.T.
(Export - Sunbeam 1500 G.T.)		 251 251 -
Cricket Sedan 219 219 -
Cricket Sedan (with options) 239 239 -
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