Chassis

2. Chassis Numbering

To date, throughout the Land Rover’s life, a total of seven different chassis number arrangements have been used. To follow are the various arrangements for their respective years:

1948-1949

Prefixed by an L or R indicating left-hand or right-hand drive, were six or seven digits:

The first digit indicates the year - 8 =1948-1949.

The second digit indicates the type - 6 = Land Rover.

The third digit (applicable only to seven digit nos) indicates the differing models - 6 = Basic, 7 = Station Wagon, 8 = Welder.

With the exception of the 866 series, whose serial number started at 3001, the last four digits show the serial number starting with 0001 in each series.

1950-1953

Prefixed by an L or R indicating left-hand or right-hand drive, only on 1950 models. Eight digits:

The first digit indicates the year - 0 = 1950, 1 = 1951.

The second digit indicates the type - 6 = Land Rover.

The third digit indicates the differing models - 1 = Basic, 2 = Station Wagon, 3 = Welder, 6 = completely knocked down CKD.

The fourth digit, excluding 1950 models, indicates the destination - 0 = Home Market, 3 = LHD Export, 6 = RHD Export.

With the exception of 1950 models which have five serial numbers, the last four digit starting at 0001 indicate the serial number.

1954-1955

An eight-digit chassis numbering system.

The first digit indicates the year - 4 = 1954, 5 = 1955.

The second digit indicates the type - 7 = Land Rover.

The third digit indicates the differing model - 1 = 86-inch, 2 = 107-inch, 6 = 86-inch CKD, 7 = 107-inch CKD.

The fourth digit indicates the destination - 0 or 1 = Home Market, 3 or 4 = LHD Export, 6 or 7 = RHD Export.

The Last four digits starting with 0001 indicate the serial number.

1955

A nine-digit chassis numbering system.

The first indicates the type - 1 = Land Rover.

The second digit indicates model - 7 = Land Rover.

The third digit indicates destination - 0 = Home Market, 3 = LHD Export, 4 = LHD CKD, 6 = RHD Export, 7 = RHD CKD.

The fourth digit indicates the sanction period - 6 = late 1955 for service.

The last five digits starting with 0001 indicate the serial number.

1956-1961

A nine-digit chassis numbering system.

The first digit on all models = 1.

The second and third digits are in pairs in the following sequence indicating model and specification - Series I Models = 11-35, Series II Models = 41-70.

The fourth digit indicates the year - 6 = 1956, 7 = 1957.

The last five digits starting with 0001 indicate the serial number.

1962-1979

Eight-digit chassis numbering system with suffix letters.

The first, second and third digits indicate the model and specification. The sequence 241-354 = Series II models, 901-965 = Series III Models. The last five digits starting with 0001 indicate the serial number. Design modifications are shown by the suffix letter which assist when servicing. NB. The year or model-year of manufacture have no identification digit.

1980

All these years have the conventional Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.).

Where to Locate Your Chassis Number

80-inch chassis numbers

These can be found on the nearside engine mounting and on the brass plate on the nearside of the bulkhead (the latter were positioned inside the cab on later models).

86-inch and 107-inch chassis numbers

These can be found on the bulkhead inside the vehicles and on the right hand front spring hanger.

88-inch and 109-inch chassis numbers

These can be found on the bulkhead inside the vehicles and on the right hand front spring hanger.