Yes Ian this is an interesting and ongoing debate.
The issue is the difference between year of manufacture and model year.
So yes you are correct:
- A 1948 model has a number between 860001 and 863000.
- A 1949 model has a number between 8663001 and 8667920
- A 1950 model has a number starting 061
However there is no problem also suggesting a vehicle was manufactured in a particuler year. In fact after the advent of Australian compliance plates the vehicle is identified by it's manufacture year. For example I have a phase II Range Rover, when I order parts for this vehicle I have to get parts for a 1985 model which are different to the 1984 models. However the compliance plate specifies that the vehicle was built in 10/84 so that is the date that the RTA and the Insurance companies want, 1985 model or not. It is the same with historic registration, eligibility is the manufacture year and not the model year.
In fact Marco's Pre-production 80" over in Perth was most probably built after the first of the Production 1948 models, so who's is the oldest Marco's Pre-pro or R860004 also in Perth?
So Ian yes you are correct but also wrong in respect to manufacture year.
In the long run, who really cares, just have fun and enjoy your cars.
Diana![]()



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