Rootes and Chrysler U.K. Passenger Cars

A new vehicle identification format was introduced in July 1970.

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Download an MSWord document here.

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