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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