15 replies to this topic

[kleyba]

Hello;

Newbie here just bought a Classic mini. But I'm trying to figure out what engine and where it was build.
It's convertible and want to know if it's an original.

This is what the VIN plate says:
Austin Rover Group LTD
ABE 8224/3
SAX XL 2S1S21346249

Any help is greatly appreciated...

Thanks!!

Kurt

[squig1978]

Hope this helps....

Note that the VIN plate for these cars is likely marked, “Austin Rover Group LTD”



It is possible that the dating in the factory microfiche is incorrect and the change date is October 1984, not 1985. Major changes were made by October 1984 (for instance, 8.4” brakes and 12” wheels became standard).

The general format for the VIN for these cars is:

SAX-X-K2S1N-XXX-A

VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example):
This is the World Make Identifier. The factory microfiche indicates this was started on these cars in Feb 1981.

SAX = MG-Rover

VIN, Fourth Position (“X” in the above example):

This is simply dismissed by the factory as “non significant”!

VIN, Fifth Position (“K” in the above example):

= Engine type

C = 1098cc

K = 848cc

L = 998cc

VIN, Sixth (and Seventh) Position (“2S” in the above example):

= Body type

2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)

2W = Estate (“2 Door Dual Purpose”)

G = P.O. Mail Van

U = Pick-up. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.

V = Panel van. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.

VIN, Eighth Position (“1” in the above example):

= Series of model

1 = Round nose, traditional Mini body style.

2 = Clubman, square nose style.

VIN, Ninth Position (“N” in the above example):

= Specification

N = HL, Special, HLE, or Mayfair

R = Mini 25

S = Mayfair (LHD – France only)

VIN, Number positions (“###” in the above example):

= The sequential build number:

Build numbers are not listed. It is suspected that they carry on with the numbers from the previous series of cars; i.e., numbers were not started from 101, again.


VIN, Last position (“A” in the above example):

= Assembly plant. Officially, “Internal Use Only”
If used at all, this would be “A” for English built cars.
A = Longbridge


Nov 1985 to Circa 1990?? – English Built

VIN
Note that the VIN plate for these cars is likely marked, “Austin Rover Group LTD”
It is possible that the start date is really November 1984, not 1985 as stated in the factory microfiche.

The general format for the VIN for these cars is:

SAX-X-L2S1N20-XXX-A

VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example)
This is the World Make Identifier.
SAX = MG-Rover

VIN, Fourth Position (“X” in the above example):
This is simply dismissed by the factory as “non significant”!

VIN, Fifth Position (“L” in the above example):
= Engine type

L = 998cc

VIN, Sixth (and Seventh) Position (“2S” in the above example):

= Body type

2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)

VIN, Eighth Position (“1” in the above example):

= Series of body

1 = Round nose, traditional Mini body style.

VIN, Ninth Position (“N” in the above example):
= Class

N = HLE, Mayfair (RHD)

O = E, City E

S = Mayfair (LHD)

VIN, Tenth Position (“2” in the above example):
= Model year

2 = 1984 on (This conflicts with the microfiche indicating this position was used starting in November 1985.)

VIN, Eleventh Position (“0” in the above example):
= Steering

0 = RHD

1 = LHD

VIN, Number positions (“###” in the above example):

= The sequential build number:
Build numbers are not listed. It is suspected that they carry on with the numbers from the previous series of cars; i.e., numbers were not started from 101, again.

VIN, Last position (“A” in the above example):

= Assembly plant. Officially, “Internal Use Only”
If used at all, this would be “A” for English built cars.
A = Longbridge


0 XN-----010001 On (1300cc cars only) – English Built

VIN
The general format for the VIN for these cars is:

SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######

VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example)
= World Make Identifier.
SAX = MG-Rover

VIN, Fourth and Fifth Positions (“XN” in the above example):
XN = Mini 1300

VIN, Sixth Position (“N” in the above example):

= Class
N = Sport, Cooper, Cabriolet

V = Kensington

W = HLS, Mayfair

Y = City, Sprite

VIN, Seventh Position (“A” in the above example):
= Body type

A = 2-door saloon/sedan.

B = Cabriolet

VIN, Eighth Position (“Y” in the above example):
= Engine

D = 1300 Carb

M = 1300 Carb

X = 1300 SPi (standard compression ratio, 9.4:1)

Y = 1300 SPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)

Z = 1300 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)

VIN, Ninth Position (“B” in the above example):

= RHD/LHD, Transmission type, Final Drive

B = RHD, Manual, 3.105

C = RHD, Manual, 3.21

E = RHD, Manual, 2.76

K = RHD, Automatic

M = LHD, Manual, 3.105

N = LHD, Manual, 3.21

R = LHD, Manual, 2.76

Y = LHD, Automatic

VIN, Tenth Position (“B” in the above example):
= Model Change
A = 1300 Special Edition

B = 1300

VIN, Eleventh Position (“D” in the above example):
= Assembly Plant
D = Longbridge

VIN, Number positions (“######” in the above example):

= The sequential build number:
Starting with 010001

[Guess-Works.com]

No it's not originally a convertible...

It's a 998 saloon, apparently French export model ( LHD )

Made before 1986...

[kleyba]

Hi All;

Thanks for the info I also founf that page but it since I don;t think it was english build I was not sure how accurate it was. Also I was told the car is a 95 model?

Thanks again!

Kurt

[taffy1967]

Kurt it would have been built in Longbridge, but exported abroad hence why it's LHD.

[Janno]

Hi Gents.


I`m a Mini owner from year 2007 and now I have bought my second car (year 2000 old model) from Germany.

I have a problem with registering it over here in Estonia, because my car has a 12 digit VIN-code stamped under the bonnet but in the documents it is 17 digits. Do you`ve got any additional info regarding to the VIN codes? Why it is shorter? Local car registering company is waiting for additional info from me.

Is it true that late model have shorter VIN-code?

With Best Regards,
Janno

Edited by Janno, 25 September 2012 - 06:37 AM.

[jayjay31]

Hello where should the vin number and chassis number be dispalyed on a 1980 mini GT 1275 ?

would like to know if my engine is the original one

any pics to show

cheers

jay

[jaydee]

[rally515]

Were would the vin be located on my 68 mk2 ?

[jaydee]

Slam panel or whatever is called the part of the front panel where the bonnet is locking to

[rally515]

Thank you, is the plate available to buy new ? if so do the likes of minisport do them you rekon ?

[jaydee]

Pretty sure they have some at minisport

[rally515]

Yeah they do have them instore near the 2nd hand stuff but there rover mini vin plates, just going to look on minispares now

[rally515]

possibly this one ?

http://www.minispare...lates.aspx|Back to shop

[Honda-Mini]

Hi... Just checking my VIN and the car is definitely a 1982 city E but the VIN style matches the 1985-1990 style coding

 

any ideas why?