Article by “www.minimania.com”

 

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

X-K2S1N-XXX-A

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

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

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

= Engine type

A = [Unknown if this was used. If so, it indicated any of the A series engines still in production at that time]

C = 1098cc

E = 1275cc

K = 848cc

L = 998cc

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

= Body type

2D: The factory microfiche does not list a designator for the 1275GT. This would imply there wasn’t one; however, it  is likely the 2D designator was still used. The microfiche shows 2D used for the 1980 model year. If no designator is listed, the Commission number must be used to identify the 1275GT.

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

2W = Estate (“2 Door Dual Purpose”)

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 (“1” in the above example):

1 = Round nose, traditional Mini body style. Includes: Mini 850, Mini 850 City, Mini 850 Special Deluxe, Mini 1000, Van (848cc and 998cc), Mini Special 1098cc, and Pick-up (850cc and 998cc).

2 = Clubman, square nose style. Includes: Clubman Saloon (998cc Automatic and 1098cc Manual), Clubman Estate (998cc Automatic and 1098cc Manual), and 1275GT.

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

N = Special Deluxe (Except for North America). Includes the Mini 850 Special Deluxe, the Mini 1000, and the Mini Special 1098cc.

North America:

A = 1970

B = 1971

C = 1972

D = 1973

E = 1974

F = 1975

G = 1976

H = 1977

J = 1978

L = 1979

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

= The sequential build number:

Each “type” of car (with one exception) started with number 101; e.g., the first Mini 850 in this range started with 101 as did the first Mini 1000, the first 1275GT, etc.

The factory records list one exception: the export Mini Special 1098cc. The starting number, for some reason, is listed as 1012011

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

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

B20S = Mini City

D20S = Mini 850

J20S = Mini 1100 Special (UK only)

N20S = Mini 1000

S20D = 1275GT

S20S = Clubman

T20S = Mini 850 Super

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

Starting numbers are as follows:

20U = 13205L

20V = 84679L

20W = 77031A

B20S = 101

D20S = 83622L

J20S = 101

N20S = 20531L and 230547A

S20D = 19416A

S20S = 104632A

T20S = 101

Note that there is no listed explanation for the “A” and “L” endings. If these are intended to be the same as used for VIN numbers, the “A” would be Longbridge. Literature has suggested that “L” = Morocco! This has not been confirmed from factory microfiche.

 

A Big Thank You to Mini Mania

Article by “www.minimania.com“