IDENTIFY YOUR MGB!

MGB Identification Data - Tourer
MGB Identification Data - GT (not V8)
Model   Commencing Finishing Model   Commencing Finishing
MGB
Tourer
(G-HN3)
Engine No.


Car No.
Body No.
18G/U/101
18GA/U/101
18GB/ * /101
G-HN3-101
MGB 101
18G/U/31121
18GA/U/17500
18GB/ * /91200
G-HN3-138400
MGB100292
MGB GT
(G-HD3)
Engine No.
Car No.
Body No.
18GB/ * /101
G-HD3-71933
GBD-101
18GB/ * /91200
G-HD3-139471
GBD-21777
MGB
Tourer
(G-HN4)
Engine No.

                  (USA)
                  (USA)
Car No.
Comm. No.
Comm. No. (USA)
Body No
18GD/ * /101
18GG/ * /101
18GF/ * /101
18GH/ * /101
G-HN4-138401
G23N-101F
GU23N-101F
MGB-110401
18GD/ * /7000
18GG/ * /8700
18GF/ * /13650
18GH/ * /22208
G-HN4-187210
G-23N-28506F
GU23N-28926F
MGB-115519
MGB GT
(G-HD4)
Engine No.

                  (USA)
                  (USA)
Car No.
Comm. No.
Comm. No. (USA)
Body No
18GD/ * /101
18GG/ * /101
18GF/ * /101
18GH/ * /101
G-HD4-139472
G23D-101P
GU23D-101P
GBD-22001
18GD/ * /7000
18GG/ * /8482
18GF/ * /13650
18GH/ * /20289
G-HD-187840
G23D-17179P
GU23D-17190P
MGB
Tourer
(G-HN5)
Engine No.

                  (USA)
                  (USA)
Car No.
Comm. No.
Comm. No. (USA)
Body No. (ex. USA)
(ex. USA & Sweden)
               (USA)
               (Sweden)
18GG/ * /8701
18GH/ * /22209
18GJ/ * /22647
18V/ * /101 on
G-HN5-187211
G-23N-28507F
GU-23N-28927F
MGB-115520
MGB-120001
MGB-U-23185
GBSN-004001
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
Not Avail.




MGB-120000
MGB GT
(G-HD5)
Engine No.

                  (USA)
                  (USA)
Car No.
Comm. No.
Comm. No. (USA)
Body No. (ex. USA)
(ex. USA & Sweden)
               (USA)
               (Sweden)
18GG/ * /8783
18GH/ * /20290
18GJ/ * /12647
18V/ * /101 on
G-HD5-187841
G-23D-17180Z
GU-23D-17191Z
GBD-29008
GBD-040001
GBUD-510523
GBSD-000301
Not Avail.
Not Avail.
Not Avail.




GBD-040000
  * Engine Code No. inserted here


Power Unit Indentification - Serial Number Prefix Code Vehicle Identification - Serial Number Prefix Letter Code
The engine number prefix comprises a series of letters and numbers, presenting in code the cupic capacity, make, the ancillaries fitted, the type of compression. The car number prefix comprises a series of letters and numbers presenting in code the make, engine type, body type and the series.
1st Prefix Group - Cubic Capacity, make and type

          1st Prefix Number: 18 = 1800cc
          1st Prefix Letter: G = MG or V = Vertical (in-line)
1st Prefix Letter = Name

G = MG
2nd Prefix Letter = Engine Type

H
3rd Prefix Letter = Body Type

N = 2-seater Tourer
D = Coupé or GT
2nd Prefix Group = Gearbox and Ancillaries

Letter

U = Centre gear change
R = Overdrive
RC = Automatic
RWC = Centre gear change with overdrive

or Number
581 F (581 = Prefix Number, F = Prefix Letter)

Note: For a fuller list of prefix numbers and their breakdown see code example below.
4th Prefix

3 = 3rd Series
4 = 4th Series
5 = 5th Series
5th Prefix

L = LHD
U = USA
6th Prefix = Model Year

A = 1970
B = 1971
C = 1972
D = 1973
E = 1974
3rd Prefix Group = Compression and Serial Number

H = High Compression {serial number of unit}
L = Low Compression {serial number of unit}


Code Example

18G/U/H101


18G = 1800cc MG
U = Centre gear change
H = High compression
101 = Serial number

18V/581F/101
18V = 1800cc Vertical (in-line)
581F = Carburetter crankcase ventilation and twin carbs
581Bf = Alternator
581Pf = Pre-engaged starter
581We = Centre geaf change - all-synchromesh
L = Low compression
101 = Serial number
Code Example

G-HN3L{serial number}

G = MG
H = 'B' type Engine
N = Tourer
3 = 3rd Series
L = LHD

G-HD5UD{serial number}
G = MG
H = 'B' type Engine
D = GT 5 = 5th Series
U = USA
D = 1973



Vehicle Identification Numbering (VIN)
From No. 501001 onwards
The VIN system replaced the earlier car numbering system from the introduction of the 1980 model year.
1st & 2nd Prefix Letters
(marque + model)

GV = MGB


6th Prefix Number
(transmission & steering)

1 = manual 4 speed RHD
2 = manual 4 speed LHD
3rd Prefix Number
(class)

A = base line
G = GT
J = Japanese
L = Canadian
V = North American
Z = Californian
4th Prefix Letter
(body)

D = 2 door sports open
E = 2 door sports closed


7th Prefix Letter
(model change)

A = 1980 model year
5th Prefix Letter
(engine)

J = 1800cc


8th Prefix Letter
(assembly plant)

G = Abingdon
Thus: G V V D J 2 A G - 501001 in an MGB, North American spec., open bodied, 1800cc, LHD, 1980 model built at Abingdon


Location of Unit Numbers

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Website Coordinator: Rick Brown  mgrick@mgcars.org.uk