ital/marina chassis/vin plate

[RussLCV]

Can anyone enlighten me or advise of any links to explain the Ital lettering system used on the BL Cars Ltd style vin plates

Thanks in advance

[JoshWard]

Hi Russ,

Prefixes for cars explained as follows

MK1 Marina
1.3 DL Coupe MA2S9
1.3 SDL Coupe MA2S9S
1.8 DL Coupe MH2S9
1.8 SDL Coupe MH2S9S

1.3 DL Saloon MA4S9
1.3 SDL Saloon MA4S9S
1.8 DL Saloon MH4S9
1.8 SDL Saloon MH4S9S

TC Coupe MH2S9T
TC Saloon MH4S9T

Estate MH5W9

So A= A series, H= B series, first number denotes number of doors, next letter denotes body type, '9' is model series, final letter is trim level (missing for DLs)

MK2
1.3 DL Coupe ME2SKD
1.3 SDL Coupe ME2SKS
1.8 SDL Coupe MM2SKS

1.3 DL Saloon ME4SKD
1.3 SDL Saloon ME4SKS
1.8 SDL Saloon MM4SKS

1.3 Special Saloon ME4SKN
1.8 Special Coupe MM2SKN
1.8 Special Saloon MM4SKN

GT MM2DK
HL MM4SKJ

Estate 1.3 ME5WKD
Estate MM5WKS

Note A series now denoted by E, B series now denoted by M. Deluxes now have a 'D' for trim level, model series is now 'K' rather than '9'

MK3
1.3 Base Coupe ME2SKD
1.3 L Coupe ME2SKS

1.3 Base Saloon ME4SKD
1.3 L Saloon ME4SKS
1.3 HL Saloon ME4SKN

1.7 Base Saloon MP4SKD
1.7 L Saloon MP4SKS
1.7 HL Saloon MP4SKN

1.3 Estate ME5WKD
1.7 Base Estate MP5WKD
1.7 L Estate MP5WKS
1.7 HL Estate MP5WKN

So same as MK2 except 'P' denotes new O series engine

Ital:
1.3 L SAMMAPLD
1.3 HL SAMMAHLD
1.3 HLS SAMMAFLD
1.7 L SAMMAPLL
1.7 HL SAMMAHLL
1.7 HLS SAMMAFLL
2.0 HLS SAMMAFLT

1.3 SL SAMMAHLD
1.3 SLX SAMMAFLD
1.7 SL SAMMAHLL
1.7 SLX SAMMAHLL

1.3 Estate SAMMAPMD
1.7 L Estate SAMMAPML
1.7 HL Estate SAMMAHML
1.7 HLS Estate SAMMAFML
2.0 HLS Estate SAMMAFMT

1.3 SL Estate SAMMAHMD
1.7 SL Estate SAMMAHML
1.7 SLX Estate SAMMAFML

The SAMMA prefix breaks down as follows. S denotes built in UK, AM is the manufacturer identifier (BL). the 'MA' is make and model so MA = Morris Ital. This is followed by three letters denoting engine, trim etc. First letter is trim level P= L, H= HL/SL, F=HLS/SLX
Next letter denotes body, L= Saloon, M= Estate. Final letter denotes engine, D= A series, L= 1.7 O series, T=2.0 O series

This is then followed by another three digits for example 1AM
The first is transmission/steering- 1= Manual RHD, 2= Manual LHD, 3= Auto RHD, 4=Auto LHD
The next denotes the model series, A= L/HL/HLS range 1980-1983, B= SL/SLX model range
Final denotes assembly plant. M= Cowley, D= Longbridge

I'll cover commercials in another post shortly...

[JoshWard]

Right, round two...

1972-1975
Austin 7 cwt. Van (basic) 1100 AAVH
Austin 7 cwt. Van (basic) 1300 AAVHB
Austin 7 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 AAVHD
Austin 10 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 AAVHH
Morris 7 cwt. Van (basic) 1100 MAV9
Morris 7 cwt. Van (basic) 1300 MAV9B
Morris 7 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 MAV9D
Morris 10 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 MAV9H

So A= Austin, M= Morris. Next letter denotes A series engine, followed by 9 denoting model series on Morris models, 'H' on Austin models. Then followed by trim. 7 cwt= nothing for 1.1 base, 1.3 base has a B, 1.3 deluxe has a D. 10cwt= 'H'
Pickups follow the same number as 10cwt models.

1975-1978
7 cwt. Van (basic) 1100 YC3VKB
7 cwt. Van (basic) 1300 YE3VKB
7 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 YE3VKD
10 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 YAV9H
10 cwt. Van (de-luxe) 1300 YE3VKH
10 cwt. Pick-up (de-luxe) 1300 YE2UKH

So Y has replaced 'M' and 'A' designations for manufacturer. The 'YAV9H' is an odd one out, it is the crossover between 'MK1' and 'MK2' models, the A in this case still denoting A series engine. It is replaced by the 'E' to denote 1.3 A series, just as MK2 cars had. The 'C' denotes 1100 A series. The next letter denotes body type, 'V' for vans, pickups now have their own 'U'. Final letter denotes spec/cwt.

1978-1980
440 Van 1100 LC3VKB
440 Van 1300 LE3VKB
440L Van 1300 LE3VKD
575 Van 1300 LE3VKH
575L Van 1300 LE3VKP
575 Pick-up 1300 LE2UKH
575L Pick-up 1300 LE2UKP
L Van (GPO Mail) 1300 LE3GKD
L Van (GPO Telephones) 1300 LE3EKD

So we now have the 'MK3' incarnation. 'L' has replaced 'Y'. This is followed by engine idenitifier, still 'E' for 1.3 and 'C' for 1.1. Then it seems there are two idenitifiers for body type. '3V' is a van, '2U' is a pickup. Final letter denotes trim level/cwt. Interesting to note GPO got their own designator, I guess because they were built in their own batches and the biggest fleet buyer of Marina vans.

1980-1984 ('Ital')
440 Van 1300
440L Van 1300 SAMMAAFD
575 Van 1300
575L Van 1300 SAMMAAGD
575 Pick-up 1300
575L Pick-up 1300 SAMMAAKD

Things get a lot simpler now! 'SAMMA' prefix as per the cars. I am not sure what the first letter 'A' denotes (!), second letter denotes cwt, 'G' for 575s, 'K' for pickups and 'F' for 440s. Final letter denotes engine 'D' as per the Ital cars. This is then followed by three digits as per the cars e.g. 1AM for a Manual RHD 1980-1983 van built at Cowley.

Itals before Aug 81 don't have the 'SAM' part of the 'SAMMA'.

[MarinaCoupe]

Brilliant Josh

[JoshWard]

I had to break out my gold plated anorak for that!

[RussLCV]

Wow Josh superb info mate many thanks

[RussLCV]

Will digest it and come back to you

[RussLCV]

Josh Ward pm sent

[RussLCV]

Hope you got the PM Josh

[JoshWard]

All received Russ- I am very busy at work and at home at the moment so haven't had a chance to delve into the records yet. Will hopefully get a chance tonight.