Article written by “www.minimania.com”

October 1969 to 1974 “Model Year” – English Built

During the previous months leading up to the cars in this time period, a Commission Number was introduced to go along with the Chassis Number/VIN. Both are helpful in identifying a car.

CHASSIS NUMBER/VINThe general format for the Chassis Number/VIN for these cars is:

X-A2S1N-XXX-A

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

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

VIN, Second Position (“A” in the above example):

= Engine type

848cc

998

1275cc Cooper S and 1275 GT

VIN, Third Position (“2S” in the above example):

= Body type

2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. (Except Mk III Copper S and 1275GT) Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)

2W = Estate (“2 Door Dual Purpose”)

D = 2 door saloon (Mk III Cooper S and 1275GT only)

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, Fourth Position (“1N” in the above example):

[Blank] = Mini 850. Produced only in the “round nose” style

1 = Round nose, traditional Mini body style. Includes: Mini 1000, Mk III Cooper S, Van, and Pick-up.

2 = Clubman, square nose style. Includes: Clubman saloon, Clubman Estate, and 1275GT.

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

N = Mini 1000

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

= The sequential build number:

Unlike the earlier cars, each “type” started with number 101; e.g., the first Mini 850 in this range started with 101 as did the first Mini 1000, the first Mk III Cooper S, etc.

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. All English built Minis were now being built at Longbridge.

A = Longbridge

Commission NumberThe general format for the Commission Number is:

N20S-XXX

Commission Number, First Positions (“N20S” in the above example):

= Car type

20U = Pick-up

20V = Van

20W = Clubman Estate

D20S = Mini 850

N20D = Mk III Cooper S

N20S = Mini 1000

S20D = 1275GT

S20S = Clubman

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

Sequential number starting at 101 for each car type.

Check out “www.minimania.com” for more info.