Rootes and Chrysler U.K. Passenger Cars

A new vehicle identification format was introduced in July 1970.

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New chassis plate example:

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

Rootes and Chrysler U.K. Passenger Cars

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by Stu Brennan

Those of you who have the “bicycle brake cable” style of hood latch release, may have looked in envy at the “solid rod” type releases on earlier Sunbeams. I know that I was always concerned that the cable might fail and leave me with the prospect of cutting metal to open the hood.

If you have ever thought of converting, you will be glad to know that the rod type release from earlier cars is a bolt on replacement for the cable setup. I found an older release, complete with the slotted adapter (important to have) that connects the rod to the arm of the latch, at a parts swap. It bolted right in to my ’67 Mk I A Tiger, using the same mounting holes as the original assembly, with no clearance or travel problems.

If you can’t find an old release, then it might be possible to fabricate something on your own. A piece of coat hanger could be used as a model to get the bends and lengths right before you fabricate the actual rod. The portion of the rod hidden in the heater plenum is perfectly straight, and there are only two other bends. Copy the slotted adapter from an existing setup.

The rod could be shaped to provide a hidden release, out of sight, just behind the dashboard. Or, if you are feeling even more inventive, I’ll bet there is a way to cut down the old release cable, and have it pull on the end of a solid rod that comes through the firewall. That way, if the cable broke, you could still reach up under the dash and pull on the rod.

From Rootes Review
Vol. 5, #4, April 1980

by Alex Gabbard
Reprinted by permission from The Shelby American

Well, we know the Tiger is dead. No more do the factories at Conventry roll out those superb GT cars. Gone are the sleek lines of real sports cars. Dead are the roadsters that performed like no other car for the money. No more Sunbeam showrooms or new car test drives, but somehow the spirit lingers.

In the face of government control on everything fun, there are always a few rebels who just won’t give up the quest for real performance road machines. Some resort to buying a hot-rod or buying a real piece of iron (now called an old car) but most us only wonder what happened to Camelot. Fast cars, cheap gas and fun with our love of the car.

But to achieve a portion of what it used to be, the time honored method of stuffing a high performance engine into a low performance lightweight is still being practiced-but rarely-in the new car market. So, it’s out to the garage to swap that engine and sink alot of long green into aftermarket items so that we can once again briefly, recall the good times.

Or it’s scan the used car items for something more appealing than another econo-box. Econo-boxes?! Well, with so many of them around, maybe some thrills of the old days are still available. How about a real sleeper-you know-one of those items that look so innocent but carries a hungry grown in it’s heart; a VW Rabbit with a Porsche power or something like it that would thoroughly embarrass the BMW and Porsche clan.

Well, there is now something like it in a good deal cheaper at that. And, you guessed it, it’s a Sunbeam. They still have the spirit! Econo-box or not. There are still some thrills, but at a price from Coventry.

So the story is, take a 2100 pound lightweight and stuff in a 2-litre suitably prepared and, presto! You now have a fireball! Well, by today’s standards. And you have a choice, either the Talbot Sunbeam Cheetah or the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, both giving you uncommon performance. Your compact hatchback (2 door) still looks the same except for the larger tires.

The Cheetah begins as a new Sunbeam 1.6 GLS with 80 Bhp; it’s then sent to Dawson Auto Development where the 1.6 litre engine becomes a 2 litre, putting out about 145 Bhp. The block is bored and the stroke is increased by 11mm. All competition balancing of parts is performed giving the assembly rallying liability. The stock head is suitably modified with bigger valves and other performance workings. The internal cam is replaced with a Talbot Group 1; a larger oil pump is fitted and a 40 DCOE Webers top it off. The exhaust is a rally system; the clutch a competition item; and extensive suspension tightening accompanies it all. A little detail on the exterior lets the unawares know it’s a Cheetah.

To quote Motor Sport, Oct. 1979, “The engine is a little screamer…Most astonishing of all is the top gear performance, which would have Ferrari Boxer and Porsche Turbo owners weeping into their beer.” Ahhh, the good old days. Generally the Cheetah was given praise as being a great pleasure to drive, if the 19-25 MPG is agreeable, and a price of £5500 (about $11,000).

Your second choice is the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, some great names there and none is left wanting with this new Sunbeam. It is the same Sunbeam 2-door hatchback to begin with. It them receives the all-aluminum, twin ohc, 2-litre, 16 valve, slant four cylinder engine attached to a ZF 5-speed gearbox. All kinds of beefier parts are necessary thoughout, giving the Lotus high reliability. And at an honest 150 Bhp and comparable torque, this screamer delivers “sensational performance.” ( Motor Sport, Oct. 1979). This new model gets exterior and interior modifications making it more comfortable to drive as well as unmistakably something special.

Autocar (27 Oct. ‘79) gave a lengthy evaluation of the Sunbeam Lotus and came away saying that except for the money ( £7000 ), it’s got about everything the performance minded could want: top speed of over 120 Mph: 0-60 in 7.4 seconds and 0-100 in 20.4 seconds. That’s hot for today, but not in the mpg category. How about a toe-jamming 12 mpg and a top of 23 with a range of only 150 miles?

Well let’s look back. Road & Track (Nov. ‘64) tested the 164 Bhp stock Tiger and gave it a top speed of 118 mph and 0-60 of 7.8 seconds. For the really hot set up Gordon Crittendon held his class record for 2 years of drag racing with 108 mph at 12.95 seconds. What’s the verdict? Are today’s Sunbeam Tigers only pussycats as compared to real Tigers.