Rootes and Chrysler U.K. Passenger Cars

A new vehicle identification format was introduced in July 1970.

Download a PDF of Later model chassis engine number coding

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.

Paint Codes

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

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