Fast Marina Magazine

Hi all,
I am currently putting together info from two or three registers to create a 'super register' with details of several thousand cars on it. I have just about finished compiling the info for MK1s, 2s and 3s but I am having trouble with Ital VIN numbers.

I have so far worked out the following:

1.3 L = SAMMAPLD
1.3 L Estate = MAPMD
1.3 HL= SAMMAHLD
1.3 HLS = SAMMAFLD
1.3 SL = SAMMAHLD
1.3 SL Estate = SAMMAHMD
1.3 SLX = SAMMAFLD
1.7 L = SAMMAPLL
1.7 L Estate = SAMMAPML
1.7 HL = SAMMAHLL
1.7 HL Estate = SAMMAHML
1.7 HLS = SAMMAFLL
1.7 HLS Estate = SAMMAFML
1.7 SL Estate = SAMMAHML
1.7 SLX = SAMMAFLL
1.7 SLX Estate = SAMMAFML
2.0 HLS = SAMMAFLT
2.0 HLS Estate = SAMMAFMT
Some questions...

Does anybody know what the SAM prefix means? Some cars have it and some don't.

The SAMMA prefix is then followed by three letters which designate the model, this is then followed by a number and two letters- does anybody know what the number and two letters means?
For example I have VIN numbers for 1.3 SL saloons which start with SAMMAHLD 1BD and SAMMAHLD 1BM, what do the 1BD and 1BM mean? Similarly I have other VINs with 1AM and 3AM.

I am also having some trouble putting them in chronological order. I have lots of VINs with a chassis number starting with a 6 for example MAFLD 2AM 637865 (1.3 HLS) and MAPLD 1AM 607797 (1.3 L- W reg) but I also have some with a chassis number starting with a 2 for example MAHLD 1AM 211882 (1.3 HL- W reg) and MAPLD 1AM 226619 (1.3 L- X reg).
Do the ones beginning with a 2 represent earlier models and the ones with a 6 later models? I note several A and B reg Itals have chassis numbers starting with a 7.

S is the International prefix for vehicles bulit in the UK with the internationally reconised 17 digit vin system. V = France W= Germany 1= Uninted States J=Japan and so on. I would imagine AM stands for Austin Morris as the later cars SARR ( Austin Rover)
Dave

Thanks Dave

Josh

Chassis number starting with.....

On Itals up to Nov 1981

2 = saloon
6 = estate

Then both bodyshells use a 6 up to Sept 1982.

Then from Sept 82 L/HL saloons become SL/SLX and continue with a 6, but estates get a 7.

Then from Jan 1984 saloons and estates start with a 7.

I believe that from Jan 84 due to slow sales all saloons and estates were made on the same line at Longbridge where as previously Estates had their own line.

Also SARR seem to be from Jan 84 as the records I have all prior to that start with MA.

So simples - not.

Chris

That's great, thanks Chris. At least I'll be able to get them in order now! I have a separate register for estates.

Slight corection to my eairlier post. The 17 digit VIN became mandotry in 1981. The first two letters are country code, ie SA being United Kingdom. 3rd letter being manufacture, ie M Morris, L Land Rover, J Jaguar and so on, this is known as the world manufacturer identifier. Digits 4 to 9 is the VDS, the general vehicle identifier. In the USA the 9th dight is a check number. The 10th digit is year of manufacture (international), the 11th digit is the plant code in USA. Where as in Europe the last 7 digits contain the exact vehicle specification.
Dave

My chassis number lists show that BL kept Ital Vins starting with an M until 1984


Chris

Have today checked the VIN numers on both my Y reg Itals one a 1.7HL, th other a pick up both comply with the Internatonl 17 digit system. Starting SAM and my B reg Rover SD1 starts SAR.
Dave