Driver's Handbook.
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Driver's Handbook.
Can anyone out there tell me which edition of the BMC handbook is correct for my 1960 convertible please? A reference number would be helpful. I have two handbooks, neither of which came with the car - AKD680J (white cover with green text) and another simply labelled second edition (brown cover with red text) AKD 680 and neither look to be completely correct for the car. Thank you.
- geoberni
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Re: Driver's Handbook.
I'd have thought that the AKD680J was in the right sort of area.
There is a G version on ebay at present, which says it's 1960, but there's no inside photos.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233276759023
The same seller has a K version for sale saying it's dated Dec 61.
So as I said, the J version is probably pretty close.
If it's anything like my SII version, the publication date is on the bottom of the Index Page.
There is a G version on ebay at present, which says it's 1960, but there's no inside photos.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233276759023
The same seller has a K version for sale saying it's dated Dec 61.
So as I said, the J version is probably pretty close.
If it's anything like my SII version, the publication date is on the bottom of the Index Page.
Basil the 1955 series II


Re: Driver's Handbook.
That's really helpful, thank you. The J edition has a series of numbers at the foot of the index page as you say: 29/66 (319550 6/61 45,950. It may well be that this was printed in June 1961 then. I can find no other reference to a publication date elsewhere in the book. Incidentally this book didn't come with the car but it is certainly near enough. Thanks again.
- geoberni
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Re: Driver's Handbook.
Yes, the one I purchased for my '55 SII is a year after the car was built, but nothing has changed in that time that I have discovered.DeeRo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 23, 2026 5:14 pm That's really helpful, thank you. The J edition has a series of numbers at the foot of the index page as you say: 29/66 (319550 6/61 45,950. It may well be that this was printed in June 1961 then. I can find no other reference to a publication date elsewhere in the book. Incidentally this book didn't come with the car but it is certainly near enough. Thanks again.
The 29/66 is really a point for confusion, mine also has it...
My SII Operation Manual, as it was titled back then, is identified 29/66 (99503) 4/56 - 50m
I love some of the details given on the Instruments and Controls illustration.
They felt the need to illustrate a Radio and Speaker, which must have been a quite rare factory fit item at the time, and also to point out some rather obvious items....
Basil the 1955 series II


- svenedin
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Re: Driver's Handbook.
I've never seen that picture Berni. Thank you.
It does show how a radio and loudspeaker could be fitted to make the car ex-factory or as close as possible. Nice!
I never fitted a radio because I doubted I'd ever be able to hear it
Stephen
It does show how a radio and loudspeaker could be fitted to make the car ex-factory or as close as possible. Nice!
I never fitted a radio because I doubted I'd ever be able to hear it
Stephen
1969 1098cc Convertible “Xavier” which I have owned since 1989.
Stephen
Stephen
- geoberni
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Re: Driver's Handbook.
It's a bit of a strange drawing, I wonder how the speaker was fitted, did they fit a panel across the entire glovebox? The vertical line where the 'bump' is for the Wiper Motor makes it look as though it's fitted at the back of the liner?
Basil the 1955 series II

