Variation on the engine number queries

[wearthefoxhat]

Hi guys. My recent aquisition is an October1969 4 door saloon. Mileage 105k.It is the later type engine with the chimney pot on the side vented to the carb.There is no engine number on the block.
The engine number on the V5C is 10MAUH11667
I paid £10 to the B.M.M. heritage for a 1 item search to find out the engine number as it left the factory.
They emailed back with the number 10V-189-E-H/11667
I wonder why the difference In the the two documents since the 5 digit engine numbers are the same?
I have read that a new engine numbering system started in March 1969 but that shouldn' cause the difference?
I am not chasing concourse or rivit counting . Just interested why the difference.
Any thought appreciated.

[philthehill]

The 10V engine prefix indicates a Series 5 1098cc van with closed circuit breathing.
The 10MA engine prefix is a Series 5 1098cc saloon without closed circuit breathing.
As the engine number is the same I would suggest that either the DVLA or BMM Heritage have got the prefix wrong.
My thoughts are to leave the V5C as it is (may be more problem than it is worth to get DVLA to change) and keep the original engine number on file.

[ManyMinors]

The 10V engine prefix indicates a Series 5 1098cc van with closed circuit breathing.

I don't believe that the 10V prefix is anything specific to the van. I have a late Minor 1000 car with an original 10V engine prefix. The 10 denotes a 1098cc engine. The "V" was used to denote an inline engine as opposed to a transverse engine which has an "H" instead.

I agree though, probably best to leave things alone as far as the V5 and DVLA are concerned!
Mini specialists "Minimail" will make you a correctly stamped new engine number plate I believe should you wish to have one.

[wearthefoxhat]

Thanks for your replies. Very reassuring indeed. And as you both suggest I'll leave the V5C as it is.
Thanks again.

[POMMReg]

As MM says, 10V after 4/69 - 10ME also used up to c8/69 - but generally, HC is passenger car & LC is LCV.

10MA prefix would make it 1962/3!!

A 10V will have a sml plastic breather pipe going over the engine.

[exlkrs]

Carburettor will be AUD 368 too, to connect the other end of the breather pipe!