Identification  
 

One series of chassis numbers was used on all the push-rod cars, the Twin-Cam's had their own. MGA chassis numbers contain a prefix and a serial number, such as HDR43 (prefix)/ 65412 (serial). Chassis numbers ran from 10101 to 109070 for push-rod cars, and 501 to 2611 for Twin-Cam's.

Chassis number

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 1600s

  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        , CKD  ( Mexican cars )

Engine number

MGA 1500

from chassis number 10101 to 61603,  BP15GB or 15GB_U_H (engine no. 101 to 51767 )
(click here for the differences between GB en GD serie engines)

from chassis number 61504 to 68850, 15GD_U_H (engine no.101 to 7816 )

MGA 1600 Mark 1

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

MGA 1600 Mark 2

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 would be replaced by the letter Da if a close ratio gearbox was fitted by the factory)

Body number

MGA 1500

numbers from 20001 to approximately 79000

MGA 1600s

numbers from 101 to 40600 ( with as prefix the letter B )

MGA Twin-Cams

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