Hi all, can anybody point me to a website that may give me some info relating to serial numbers to help me date my vans. I've done a bit of a search but i cant come up with anything that is really decent. Alternatively if somebody is willing to share their good knowledge of what number ranges where released during certain years I would be highly appreciative.

Van 1:
Morris 850 Van
Body number found near radiator: 4797
YJBAV1R
SN: 5291
EN: 8Y/U/H 23670

Id like to know if this van is 1964 or 1965
I would presume 65 due to windup windows?

Van 2:
Leyland Van
Body number on firewall: 2283
YJBAV6R 2794

I was told its a 1971, but i have no idea.

Thanks

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1965 850 Mini Van
1972 Clubman Van
Member of SDMC

Try this it seemed to work on mine, look at the light switches on the back usually there is a date stamped on them ,also the bottom of the fuse block , if these items or original to that car it will give you an indication of your date .

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That's why it's good to be.............ME

Clear the muck off the silver part of the wiper motor as they are date stamped.
There will be the month and year

steve

Van 1
Looking at the numbers I would guess that the 850 Van would be an early one.
The chassis number starts at 501 and yours being 5291 means it was the 4791st van built. The body number 4797 shows that BMC used 6 bare bodies before your car was built!

Does your car have an ID plate?
Does it list a colour?

The wind up window doors may not be standard.
Check the dates on the wiper motor, highbeam dip switch, ignition switch, headlight switch, etc.
I think the engine may have come out of a sedan as my book shows that engine prefix as the 850 sedan.

Van 2
My guess would be 1971 from the numbers.

When did production of vans start in Australia?
How many were built?

Ok thanks prompt replies people

Thanks for reminding me of the wiper method, I forgot i tried that a year or so ago on the 850.

Light switch method was a new one for me, i like that one.

Ok so the clubby is sorted the wiper motor was made in 7/72. I cant get my head around the back of those switches for the moment but im pretty happy with that result.

The 850 i recal the wiper motor was a newer part, that had been replaced some time with a 67 motor. The light switches were unfortunately no help wither because the switch panel has also been replaced with 67 gear. The previous owner noted it was a different key. So this info is interesting for me. in terms of restoration history. However given that it is a first series van, flat roof and the serial number it cant be a 67 so my problem isnt solved. hehe

To Morris 1100:

EDIT: oops sorry the body number was 4767 not 4797. Which makes a 24 bodyshell difference from 4791st number that you came up with. Strange.


Ahh yeah i presume i got that info from the id plate (punched metal plate on firewall)

The colour is 1/Toga white/3

Regarding sedan engine, the engine number is what was stamped on the plate.

Hopefully somebody can fill us in with Australian van production details and quantities, it would be interesting to know.

Any other ideas to help me idientify the 850?

Cheers again guys!

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1965 850 Mini Van
1972 Clubman Van
Member of SDMC

yours must have a smooth roof and no cutaways in the front beaver panel. Toga white was a common colour across a few years, so is no good for dating them.

I can't help you decide whether it's '64 or '65, but it's gotta be one of them, my '66 van's engine number is 1500 higher than yours, and since they shared the engine with 850 sedans, 1500 cars isn't many so I'd lean towards '65.

My van is the 474'th build of the next body type after yours - YJBAV2R

The windup window doors are definitely a later addition

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Two at once. Brave man.
Just remember to be yourself and you'll be fine.
If all goes wrong, get the bottle of champagne.

24 body shell number difference is not a worry. When someone pranged a car they could get a new body and re-shell their old car. So BMC would build more bodies than cars.

Re. the engine number prefix. I was going off a catalogue (Mini Kingdom) that lists all the Australian Mini engine and model prefixes. It is not always right. In this case it is wrong! Most webpages use this book as the bible for mini numbers but it is very inaccurate.
I will change the info in my book for future reference.

Toga White is a 65/66 colour according to the Dulux catalogue. So we are getting close! Maybe the doors are standard!

Im not sure what was meant by "...no cutaways in the front beaver panel. " Can you elaborate? Do you mean it should only be the pressed steel panel, and not have the cut out hole for grille placement?

Also I have found that the paint was originally made by berger so that may help track the dating. lll have to look that up later.


I had a crasy idea, Ausmini or somebody could set up a vouluntary database for "minis that still exist" with their production numbers and dates and the locations they are dotted around the country. (Obviously with owners personal details omitted.) It could help people find the history on their own vehicles etc. But i dunno...

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1965 850 Mini Van
1972 Clubman Van
Member of SDMC

the panel under the front bumper... they changed gradually in '66, they aided brake cooling on the coopers, but all models had them

early - no cutouts


late - cutouts (on the K, not the clubman)

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Check the rear door lock on the inside, load bay side of back doors as it may also be date stamped

steve

Great idea i think...i'd be up for that...mind you it is easy for me to say at this stage, as i'm unfortunately currenlty mini-less so no effort required on my part. but i'd particapate when i get my next one, hopefully in about 3 weeks, the day i arrive back in australia.

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1275LS regrettably sold to move to Canada, but now moving back and need my next mini. - I want a K

woohoo!.. i'm an example..



i was going to suggest dinner and a movie......

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