[Healeys] bn

[Peter Svilans]

Charlie,

The Spridgets continued to use the same BMC code letters as the first models
throughout their long run,  ignoring the increases of engine size, which would
have meant a change in the second letter :

Bugeye:  HAN5
Sprite MK II, Midget Mk I:  HAN 6, GAN 1
Sprite Mk III, Midget Mk 2:  HAN 7, GAN 2
......and so on up to:
Sprite Mk IV,  Midget Mk 3:  HAN 10, GAN 5
(HAN 10 changed to AAN 10 when "Healey" was dropped.)
(The Spitfire-engined Midget 1500 was GAN 6)

The MGA at first used their old Nuffield system, in which H stood for MG MGA,
the second letter D for open 2 seater or M for coupe, the third for colour.
Then it changed to the standard BMC system, where the MGA was a GHN roadster
or GHD coupe.
The MGA Twin Cam used its own unique system based on the old Nuffield one.  It
was always a Y.

The MGB used the standard BMC system, where they were all GHN roadsters or GHD
coupes, with series 3 being the MK I, 4 being MK II, and up to 1979 being 5.

Except for the MGC.  The H should have been replaced by B for the six
cylinder's displacement, but they used C instead, 'cause it was cool.
For the V8, they returned to the BMC system, using a D for displacement.  But
the body was now 2D for two door coupe (despite there being three doors).
And the last year of the MGB went to the new Leyland VIN number system.

Best
Peter