Chassis numbers

MGA chassis numbers are built up by a prefix and a serial number, for example HDR43 (prefix)/ 65412 (serial). Push-rod and Twin-Cam engined cars had distinct chassis number ranges, the push-rod cars had numbers from 10101 to 109070, the Twin-Cam's from 501 to 2611.

MGA 1500

1. H for MGA model
2. D ( roadster ) or M ( coupe )
3. ,,Colours,,
   A ( Black )
   C ( Red , used on early cars only )
   D ( Glacier blue "roadsters" , Mineral Blue "coupes")
   E ( Tyrolite Green , used on early cars only )
   K ( Orient Red , used from 1956 onwards )
   L ( Glacier Blue on roadsters from 1956 onwards )
   R ( Old English White )
   T ( Tyrolite / Island or Ash Green from 1956 onwards )
   H ( Primer or CKD finish )
   
   
   
4. ,,Specifications,,
   1 RHD , home market
   2 RDD , export
   3 LHD , export
   4 LHD , North American Export
   5 RHD , CKD Export
   6 LHD , CKD Export
    
5. ,,Type of paint,,
   3 Cellulose (laquer)
   5 Primer or CKD finish 

MGA 1600 & 1600 Mark II

1. G , for MG car
2. H, for engine size between 1400 and 1999cc
3. N, for roadster
   D, for coupe
   
   
4. L, ( if found ) for left-hand drive ( or blank for right-hand drive )
5. 2, ( if found ) for 1600 Mark 2 model  

MGA Twincam

1. Y, always for MGA Twincam model
2. D, for roadster
   M, for coupe
3. ,,Destination code,,
   1 RHD, home market
   2 RHD, export
   3 LHD, export (including North American cars)
   H5 RHD, CKD ( South African cars )
   H6 LHD, CKD ( Dutch, Mexican cars )
   

Engine numbers

MGA 1500

from chassis number 10101 to 61603,  BP15GB or 15GB_U_H (engine no. 101 to 51767 )
from chassis number 61504 to 68850, 15GD_U_H (engine no.101 to 7816 )

MGA 1600

from chassis number 68851 to 100351, 16GA_U or 16GAU_H

MGA 1600 Mark II

from chassis number 100352 to 109070, 16GC_U_H or 16GC_U_L

MGA Twin-Cam

from chassis number 501 to 2272, 16GB_U
(the letter U was replaced by Da if a close ratio gearbox was fitted)

Body numbers

MGA 1500

numbers ran from 20001 to approximately 79000

MGA 1600

numbers ran from 101 to 40600 (preceded by the letter B )

MGA Twin-Cam

the series 61000, 68000 and 76000 were used on the 1500 style cars, the B1000 serie was used on the 1600 style cars.

from chassis number 501 to ~770 have bodies 61000 - 61999
from chassis number ~770 to ~1030 have bodies 68000 - 68999
from chassis number ~1301 to 2192 have bodies 76000 - 76999
from chassis number 2193 to 2611 have bodies B1000 - B1999