njl555 Posted August 26, 2021 Share Posted August 26, 2021 Hi, A friend of mine has told me to try this site to find out some information on my classic mini. Its a 1983 black mini city e, 48,000 miles, i have been told the plate which is rivited under the drivers seat is a military plate. Does anyone know what these letters and numbers mean? would be great to find out any info. The mini was built in 1983 but not registered on the road until 1987, maybe it was used on a base for something. Its in very original condition, is original paint and has never had a panel replaced, no signs of welding anywhere. Kind regards Neil How do i insert a picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 Just type in all the nomenclature off this plate. The terms looked for are quite standard, e.g. Contract , Warrant, Code No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted August 27, 2021 Share Posted August 27, 2021 From approx. 1979 / 1980 - a civilian Mini would have a 14 digit VIN plate ,after this a 17 digit VIN plate (just like any vehicle). Often black anodized. A common place with various manufacturers was under the drivers seat , often under a hinged piece of carpet . 1983 , late , to late from me . My first car was a used 1962/3 Morris Mini Minor, then a Ex-polis grey mini-van (I think that was Morris) then I went up in the world with a de-luxe (a 2" instrument either side of Speedo head clock) - IIRC that was termed a Austin 7 LoL The Austin was up-rated to abt. Cooper spec. with a re-worked cylinder head but the boot lid was "regulated" to Cooper S LoL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njl555 Posted August 28, 2021 Author Share Posted August 28, 2021 Thank you for the info Ruxy, i have attached some pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njl555 Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Hi all, Just wondered if anyone has managed to find any info on pics I posted about plate in mini. 😁👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Neil the official designation is Car, Saloon, Grade 5, 4x2, Morris Mini. Vehicle/Asset Code 1135-0640 defines the vehicle type exactly. I don't have any details of the FVE 22A/130 Contract, I only have details of the contracts up to Sept 1974. These were WV 225, WV 4054, WV 7866, WV 9530 all of these had several Warrants. The last one WV 9530 did specify Warrant Nos BL(AM) 570, 644, 879. I don't know if (AM) relates to Air Ministry Contracts, in which case the RAF Ref No 16A/2539 & 16A/2817 applies. Are there any markings that might identify the ERM (Equipment Registration Mark) ie military registration which would be 2 digits + 2 letters + 2 digits. If there is no official plate showing that sometimes a cushion or something had some basic ID scribbled on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEd Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 On 8/28/2021 at 10:24 PM, njl555 said: Thank you for the info Ruxy, i have attached some pics That first plate is a standard British leyland car vin plate. 2nd is a military plate. I don’t know what those numbers relate to though sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 A-M l think you will find stands for AUSTIN -MORRIS all car with in the BRITISH LEYLAND GROUP military contracts had A-M after B L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 22 minutes ago, wally dugan said: A-M l think you will find stands for AUSTIN -MORRIS all car with in the BRITISH LEYLAND GROUP military contracts had A-M after B L Ah yes of course! Thanks Wally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 (edited) You can make a Freedom of Information request to the RAF to get information about your Mini, see https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/select_authority There's an example FOI response for someone enquiring about a Land Rover here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/merlin_report_for_land_rover_con Edited September 12, 2021 by John F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 From 01/01/1983 the vehicles were Tri-Service , so green fleet could be allocated to Army, RAF or RN . Tri-Service started with VRM of KA - so it would be plated --KA -- ??KA?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 48 minutes ago, John F said: You can make a Freedom of Information request to the RAF to get information about your Mini, see https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/select_authority There's an example FOI response for someone enquiring about a Land Rover here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/merlin_report_for_land_rover_con AFAIK - you just have to ask the RAF Museum , no need for a formal FOI (like with Army Vehicle) and RN would be a real problem in any case as they re-cycle the VRM. IIRC - does not this RAF Museum person who does the search attend this forum in his civvy hat ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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