Early Chassis Plate-1952-1958
Series II & Early 948cc
The earlier chassis numbers (not Series MM) were a lot more informative as to the type and finish of the vehicle. The number was always preceded by the letter “F” indicating that the vehicle was a Morris Minor, followed by a body type code letter. A third letter indicated the body colour (not exact) followed by two numeric characters, the first indicating the class of vehicle and the second the paint type.
Body Type
(Second Letter) |
Colour
(Third Letter) |
Class
(First Digit) |
Paint Type
(2nd Digit) |
||||
A
|
4dr Saloon |
A
|
Black |
1
|
RHD-Home |
1
|
Synthetic |
B
|
2dr Saloon |
B
|
Light Grey |
2
|
RHD-Export |
2
|
Synobel |
C
|
Convertible |
C
|
Dark Red |
3
|
LHD |
3
|
Cellulose |
L
|
Traveller |
D
|
Dark Blue |
4
|
North America |
4
|
Metallic |
E
|
Van |
E
|
Mid Green |
5
|
CKD-RHD |
5
|
Primer |
F
|
Pick-Up |
F
|
Beige |
6
|
CKD-LHD |
6
|
Cellulose Body/ Synthetic Wings |
G
|
Chassis/ Cab |
G
|
Brown | ||||
H
|
GPO Mail Van |
H
|
CKD Finish | ||||
J
|
GPO Engineers’ Van |
J
|
Dark Grey | ||||
K
|
Light Red | ||||||
L
|
Light Blue | ||||||
P
|
Ivory | ||||||
R
|
White | ||||||
S
|
Mid Grey | ||||||
T
|
Light Green | ||||||
U
|
Dark Green |
Late Chassis Plate-1958 on
Late 948cc & 1098cc
The later chassis plates did not give an indication of either colour or finish.
All numbers were prefixed by MA and then the following body type prefix:
2S | 2dr Saloon |
S | 4dr Saloon |
T | Convertible |
W | Traveller |
E
|
GPO Engineers’ Van |
G
|
GPO Postal Van |
Q
|
Chassis/Cab |
U
|
Pick-Up |
V
|
Van |
The prefixes were then followed by either a 3 (Series 3 948cc) or a 5 (Series 5 1098cc).
The final prefix was either a D for de-luxe or L indicating LHD. Standard RHD vehicles had no last prefix.
The last Minors had a chassis number suffix, either M indicating that the vehicle was Cowley built or F for Adderley Park vehicles (Travellers and commercial vehicles only).