History : BMC, BL, Rover and other development codes

20 November 2022 Keith Adams 48

Ever wondered what all those ADO, YDO and LC numbers mean when we’re discussing the history of BMC, BL and Rover cars? Worry not, because our exhaustive list of development codes should help you work out what’s what.

The XC Development Codes

The XC numbers (signifying ‘eXperimental Car’) were applied to projects headed up by Alec Issigonis at Longbridge. These cars (with the exception of XC9000) all went on to be developed into production cars.

Code	Details	Dates
XC9000	1.5 litre saloon Forerunner to the XC9001 – rear-wheel-drive saloon, resembled a Citroën due to its elongated wheelbase.	Dev: 1956-1957
XC9001	1.5 litre saloon Initially a front-wheel-drive XC9000, but restyled by Longbridge and Pininfarina. Renamed XC9005 in 1960.	Dev: 1958-1960
XC9002	BMC 1100/1300 Initially a scaled down XC9001, but later restyled by Pininfarina. Became known as ADO16 from around July 1959.	Dev: 1957-1959
XC9003	BMC Mini Also known as the ADO15.	Dev: 1957-1959
XC9005	BMC 1800/2200 XC9001 refined in style and re-engined with the 1.8-litre version of the B-Series engine. Became known as ADO17 from 1960.	Dev: 1960-1962

The ADO Development Codes

After the merger between Austin and Morris in 1952, all subsequent new cars in development were given ADO project numbers. ADO stood for ‘Austin Drawing Office’ – the fact that they referred to an Austin and not a Morris Drawing Office gives some clue as to where the loyalties of BMC chief Leonard Lord lay.

Following this list (based on material supplied by the Archive Department at the British Motor Museum) can be confusing because the project numbers were not always in numerical order. In some instances, this muddled system made sense (ADO15, 16 and 17, for instance), whereas at other times, it obviously did not.

Look, for example, at ADO77, 88 and 99: ADO77 seems logical enough, as it follows ADO73, 74, 75 and 76, but following that comes ADO88, which was cited by Charles Griffin as being so called because of its 88-inch wheelbase. Following that came the ADO99, which again, possessed a 99-inch wheelbase. Was this pattern coincidence or was it chosen because of its nice, cascading numerical pattern?

Code	Details	Dates
ADO6	Austin Hire Car and Taxi FL2, FL2D, FX4, FX4D – better known as the London ‘Black Cab’.	Dev: 1956-1959 Prod: 1959-1971
ADO8	Austin A40 Farina MkI: BMC’s smart new baby, styled by Pininfarina.	Dev: 1956-1958 Prod: 1958-1961
ADO9	Farina ‘B’ models B-Series-engined Farinas: Austin A55 Cambridge MkII (ADO9A), Morris Oxford Series V (ADO9M), MG Magnette MkIII (ADO9G), Riley 4/68 (ADO9R), Wolseley 15/60 (ADO9W).	Dev: 1956-1958 Prod: 1958-1961
ADO10	Farina ‘C’ models C-Series-engined Farinas: Austin A99 Westminster and Wolseley 6/99.	Dev: 1956-1959 Prod: 1959-1961
ADO11	Experimental A-Series engine Two-cylinder power unit with 475cc based on the 948cc A-Series, as documented by Jon Presnell in his book Mini: The Definitive History.	Dev: 1956-1958
ADO12	Hydrostatic transmission As installed in an Austin A35 prototype.	Dev: Mid-1950s
ADO13	Austin-Healey Sprite MkI – otherwise known as the ‘Frogeye’ Sprite.	Dev: 1956-1958 Prod: 1958-1961
ADO14	Austin Maxi	Dev: 1964-1969 Prod: 1969-1981
ADO15	BMC Mini MkI and MkII (originally codenamed XC9003) – includes Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf, but not the Cooper versions (ADO50).	Dev: 1957-1959 Prod: 1959-1969
ADO16	BMC 1100/1300 Originally codenamed XC9002 – includes all badge-engineered varieties.	Dev: 1957-1962 Prod: 1962-1974
ADO17	BMC 1800/2200 Originally codenamed XC9005 – includes all badge-engineered varieties.	Dev: 1958-1964 Prod: 1964-1975
ADO19	Austin Ant Prototype off-roader, cancelled by Leyland so as not to interfere with Land Rover sales.	Dev: 1967-1968
ADO20	Mini MkIII and Clubman Significant revisions to bodyshell, including slightly larger doors with concealed hinges and wind-up windows; also marked a return to rubber-cone suspension. Clubman and 1275GT lasted until 1980.	Dev: 1968-1969 Prod: 1969-2000
ADO21	MGB replacement Mid-engined sports car, styled by Harris Mann/Paul Hughes and powered by the E4 engine. Dropped in favour of the TR7.	Dev: 1969-1970
ADO22	Facelift and re-engineering of ADO16 Major redesign of ADO16, incorporating revised suspension and under-structure and revised bodywork. Cancelled by British Leyland, in favour of ADO67.	Dev: 1967-1968
ADO23	MGB	Dev: 1958-1962 Prod: 1962-1974
ADO24	Austin-Healey 4000 4.0-litre version of the Austin-Healey 3000, cancelled by British Leyland.	Dev: 1966-1968
ADO25	E6 engine 6-cylinder E-Series power unit, as used in ADO17 (and its derivatives), Antipodean Marinas and ADO71.	Dev: 1965-1972 Prod: 1972-1982
ADO26	Austin Healey 3000 MKIII	Dev: 1961-1963 Prod: 1963-1968
ADO27	Austin and Morris 1800 Facelift This appears to have started out as a major facelift of ADO17, but the project was cancelled at an early stage. Code was passed on to the X6 project (codenamed YDO19 in Australia).	Dev: 1968-1970 Prod: 1970-1975
ADO27	Riley 1.5/Wolseley 1500 facelift The earlier of two recorded ADO27 projects, this would have seen these Morris Minor-based cars treated to Farina-style rear fins, perhaps not unlike those of the Australian Morris Major Elite (pictured is a Series II Lancer/Major), which was itself based on these cars.	Dev: Early 1960s
ADO28	Morris Marina Using A- and B-Series engines.	Dev: 1968-1971 Prod: 1971-1980
ADO30	Austin-Healey replacement Project was vetoed by Sir William Lyons as it would have competed with the Jaguar E-type.	Dev: 1966
ADO31	MGA 1600	Dev: 1958-1959 Prod: 1959-1961
ADO32	E4-series engine Four-cylinder OHC E-Series engine, as used in the Maxi and Allegro, and also in the Australian Morris 1500.	Dev: 1965-1969 Prod: 1969-1981
ADO34	Mini-based MG roadster There were at least two distinct ADO34 prototypes: a ‘Longbridge’ car, designed and built by Pininfarina (pictured) and an ‘Abingdon’ car, produced in-house at the MG factory.	Dev: 1960-1964
ADO35	Coupé version of ADO34 The car pictured is understood to be a development of the ‘Longbridge’ ADO34 (see above).	Dev: 1960-1964
ADO36	Austin-Healey versions of ADO34 and ADO35 The car pictured is based on the ‘Abingdon’ ADO34, and differs from it only in respect of its grille and badge.	Dev: 1960-1964
ADO37	Princess 3-litre Based on the Austin A99 Westminster, as a replacement for the Austin A105 Vanden Plas. It was marketed as the Vanden Plas Princess 3-litre from 1960 onwards.	Dev: 1959 Prod: 1959-1968
ADO38	Revised Farina ‘B’ models Austin A60 Cambridge, Morris Oxford Series VI, MG Magnette MkIV, Riley 4/72, Wolseley 16/60.	Dev: 1960-1961 Prod: 1961-1971
ADO39	Taxi FX4 replacement, cancelled by British Leyland.	Dev: 1967
ADO40	Austin Freeway and Wolseley 24/80 Mk I Produced in Australia and fitted with B-Series six-cylinder engine…	Prod: 1962-1964
ADO41	Austin Freeway Utility Prototype still exists in Australia.
ADO42	Austin-Healey Sprite MkII Re-bodied version of the MkI Sprite.	Dev: 1960-1961 Prod: 1961-1964
ADO44	Austin A40 Farina MkII	Dev: 1960-1961 Prod: 1961-1967
ADO46	Farina ‘B’ diesels Only the Austin A60 Cambridge and Morris Oxford versions were offered in diesel form. Originally for export only, they became available in the UK from 1962. The diesel Cambridge was withdrawn in 1968.	Dev: 1961 Prod: 1961-1971
ADO47	MG Midget MkI – Badge-engineered version of ADO41.	Dev: 1961 Prod: 1961-1964
ADO49	Farina ‘B’ Pickup Pick-up truck based on Riley version of ADO9/ADO38; built and sold in Argentina.	Prod: Early 1960s
ADO50	Mini Cooper and Cooper S (ADO50S) 997 and 998cc – and 970, 1071 and 1275cc (ADO50S).	Dev: 1961 Prod: 1961-1971
ADO51	Austin-Healey 3000 MkIV This was to have been a badge-engineered version of the MGC, but was cancelled at Donald Healey’s insistence.	Dev: 1962-1965
ADO52	MGC	Dev: 1961-1967 Prod: 1967-1969
ADO53	Revised ADO10 Became the Austin A110 Westminster and Wolseley 6/110.	Dev: 1961 Prod: 1961-1968
ADO56	MG Sport This Mini-based coupé proposal was conceived by Alec Issigonis, and featured front-wheel drive and a transverse Mini-Cooper engine. It apparently came very close to entering production.	Dev: 1958-1959
ADO58	Joint BMC/Rolls-Royce coupé project To have been based on a short-wheelbase version of Bentley Burma (pictured), the forerunner to the 1965 T1. The car would have been built and marketed exclusively by BMC, using the F60 six-cylinder engine, but it never reached production.	Dev: Early 1960s
ADO59	Morris Minor 1000 (1.1-litre) 1098cc A-Series powered Morris Minor.	Dev: 1962 Prod: 1962-1971
ADO61	Austin 3-litre Replacement for ADO53.	Dev: 1962-1967 Prod: 1967-1971
ADO66	Vanden Plas 4-Litre R	Dev: 1964 Prod: 1964-1968
ADO67	Austin Allegro	Dev: 1968-1973 Prod: 1973-1982
ADO68	Project Condor
	ADO68/28-1 A very stylish Roy Haynes-styled 2-door coupé version of the Marina.	Dev: 1969-1970
	ADO68/28-2 Late in 1969, the Italian designer Michelotti was commissioned to produce a version of Condor. His proposal was then amended in-house at BLMC to become ADO68/28-2, which hints at the shape of the two-door Marina.	Dev: 1969-1970
	ADO68/14 This version of Condor, designed by Harris Mann, was based on the Maxi. It’s not hard to think of this design as the starting point for ADO71.	Dev: 1969-1970
	ADO68/67 The other Condor proposal was all-too-obviously based on the Allegro. Like the other Condor prototypes, this car met with its fate when Brtish Leyland cancelled the project.	Dev: 1969-1970
ADO69	Taxi Replacement for FX4 – cancelled.	Dev: 1970
ADO70	Michelotti Mini Calypso Michelotti-styled coupé model, based on ADO20.	Dev: 1970
ADO71	18-22 Series/Princess Replacement for ADO17.	Dev: 1970-1975 Prod: 1975-1982
ADO73	Marina 2/Morris Ital Originally intended as a front-end facelift, but became the O-Series version. Ital was known as ADO73 F/L.	Dev: 1972-1978 Prod: 1978-1984
ADO74	Ant/Dragonfly/Ladybird Supermini project, powered by the H/K-Series engine, shelved by John Barber in 1974.	Dev: 1972-1973
ADO75	MGB GT V8	Dev: 1971-1972 Prod: 1972-1974
ADO76	Revised MGBs Replacement MGB – based on a Michelotti-styled base.	Dev: 1968-1969 and 1972-1974 Prod: 1974-1980
ADO77	New Marina RWD Ford Cortina rival, ‘merged’ with the SD2 project – and then became TM-1.	Dev: 1972-1975
ADO88	Supermini Metro predecessor, cancelled due to unfavourable results from customer clinics. Re-engineered to become LC8 (Austin Metro).	Dev: 1974-1978
ADO99	Family hatchback Replacement for Allegro, after internal re-organisation and the death of TM-1. Became the LC10/LM10 (Austin Maestro). Project instigated by Spen King.	Dev: 1975-1977

YDO Development Codes

BMC Australia had trodden their own evolutionary path, once left to run with the BMC range of cars, and from 1962 the Antipodean subsidiary decided to use their own code numbers to denote development of cars specific to them.

Code	Details	Dates
YDO1	Morris Major Elite First production type.	April 1962-1963
YDO2	Morris Major Elite Prototype of YDO1 with raised turret to improve rear seat headroom – not produced.
YDO3	Austin Freeway MkII/Wolseley 24/80 MkII Based upon Farina-style YDO9 vehicles and fitted with 2433cc B-Series six-cylinder engine (unique to Austin). Produced in Austin and Wolseley sedan form, and Austin Station Wagon version…	August 1964-1965
YDO4	Mini (Morris only) Standard version with Australian wind-up windows, 848cc engine and rubber cone suspension.	1965-1969
YDO5	Mini Deluxe (Morris only) …with Australian wind-up windows, 998cc engine and Hydrolastic suspension. Also includes the Morris Mini K with with 1098cc engine.	1965-1969 1969-71 (K models)
YDO6	Mini Cooper S (Morris only) …with Australian wind-up windows, 1275cc and Hydrolastic suspension.
YDO7	Morris Mini Moke …with 10″ wheels.	1966-1968
YDO9	Morris Nomad ADO16 style five-door hatchback designed at Longbridge in conjunction with Australian Engineers. Fitted with E-Series 1500cc engine with manual gearbox or A-Series 1275cc engine with automatic transmission.	1969-1971
YDO10	Austin 1800 Mk1 and Mk2 Utility and Cab/Chassis models Proposed pick-up version of BMC ADO17 models.
YDO13	Austin X6 Tasman/Kimberley Mk1 Saloon version of the ADO17 powered by an E6-Series engine.
YDO14	Austin X6 Tasman/Kimberley Ute Proposed pick-up version of Austin X6 cars (number not used, or not proceeded with).
YDO15	Morris 1500 and 1300 sedan Similar to British 1300s and fitted with E-Series 1500cc manual or 1275cc automatic.	1969-1971
YDO18	Mini Moke (Morris and Leyland versions) Update of YDO7 to 13″ wheels and initially fitted with 1098 and 1275cc engines. Last units were 998cc to achieve emissions requirements.	1968-1973
YDO19	Austin Tasman/Kimberley Mk2 Further update of ADO17 with E-Series six-cylinder in single- (Tasman) or twin-carb (Kimberley) forms.	Nov 1970-Jun 1971
YDO21	Mini Clubman Australian standard version. 998cc and rubber cone suspension. Initially marketed as a Morris, then a Leyland…	1971-1978
YDO22	Mini Clubman Super Australian deluxe-type version. 998 and 1098cc. Initially Hydrolastic suspension, reverting to rubber cone later.	1971-73 (Deluxe) 1973-78 (S)
YDO23	Mini Clubman GT Australian version, 1275cc engine.	1971-1973
YDO24	Morris Marina/Leyland Marina Sedan (four-door) and TC Coupe (two-door). Australian version using E-Series 1500 and 1750cc engines.	1972-1975
YDO25	Leyland Marina Six-cylinder versions using the 2.6-litre E-Series engine.	1973-1975

Notes:
It is rumoured that YDO26, 27 and 28 were allocated to the P76 sedan, station wagon and Force 7 coupe respectively, but were not proceeded with as Lord Stokes decided on the P76 code name.

Based on information compiled by Peter A Jones, Roger Foy and Tony Dingle.

LC and LM Development Codes

To signify the new direction the company was heading following the Ryder Report in March 1975, the single and integrated Leyland Cars division changed the way of identifying upcoming new car projects. This new system was implemented to replace the ADO system employed by Austin-Morris, as well as the fractious and none-too established naming employed by the Specialist Division.

The LC prefix stood for Leyland Cars, while LM referred to Light Medium. The Light Medium division came about due to a marketing reshuffle at BL in the autumn of 1979, when the Specialist Division was disbanded. The Light Medium division did not last long, being replaced by Austin Rover in 1980.

The LM codes changed on a fairly regular basis, as the business and the company’s relationship with Honda changed, but this list represents those projects actively pursued by Austin Rover.

LC Development Codes

Code	Details	Dates
LC8	Austin Metro Picked up the pieces of the ADO88 project, employing that cars understructure, engines and suspension. LC8 signified a smarter body style.	Dev: 1978-1980 Prod: 1980-1991
LC9	Triumph Acclaim Also known as Project Bounty by BL.	Dev: 1979-1981 Prod: 1981-1984
LC10	Austin Maestro Signified the BL phase of the mid-sized car development programme, formerly known as ADO99 (and renamed thus to break links with the ADO naming scheme). Also covered a saloon version (which was sometimes referred to as the AM2X), and which eventually became the Austin Montego (LM11).	Dev: 1977-1980
LC12	Coupé	Dev: 1978-1980
LC40	Jaguar saloon Jaguar’s XJ40 renamed in 1977 to tie in with the rest of the single integrated Leyland line-up. Codename only briefly used, reverting to XJ40 in 1978.	Dev: 1972-1986 Prod: 1986-1994

LM Development Codes

Code	Details	Dates
LM10	Austin Maestro Final development name for this car – in this period, the rear suspension was altered.	Dev: 1980-1982 Prod: 1982-1994
LM11	Austin Montego	Dev: 1980-1983 Prod: 1983-1994
LM12	Coupé 2-door coupé based on the LM11 floorpan – intended to be badged as an MG and replace all MGs and TRs.	Dev: 1980-1981
LM14	Five-door hatchback Hatchback rear end for the Montego – similar in execution to the contemporary Talbot Alpine, VW Passat. This was to have been a more upmarket car than the Montego, with no 1300cc version.	Dev: 1980-1981
LM15	Executive car Rebodied SD1; dropped by management on the advice of Roy Axe in favour of the Rover-Honda XX.	Dev: 1980-1981
LM19	Austin Ambassador Rebodied ADO71.	Dev: 1978-1981 Prod: 1981-1984

Notes:
According to different BL/Austin Rover corporate plans, there were also references made to the LM16 and LM17. LM16 was referred to variously as an open-topped version of the LM12 or a hatchback version of LM15. LM17 and LM15 were other codes used in reference to an executive class car, but the re-bodied SD-1 LM15 project was actually seriously evaluated.

Honda/Rover Development Codes

Unlike the long-running ADO series and the politically sensitive LM series, the more recent development codes never seemed to catch the public’s imagination in quite the same way.

Code	Details	Dates
HD9	Medium hatchback Five-door version of the Honda Ballade/Triumph Acclaim – probably a Triumph-badged version of the Honda Quintet. A version of HD9 was marketed in Australia as the Rover Quintet.	Dev: 1981
HD14	Small hatchback Sub-Metro sized car, probably a version of the Honda City/Jazz.	Dev: 1980-1981
HD17	Executive car The initial internal name for the Honda-Rover large car to replace the SD1-based LM15 project. Was renamed XX in 1982.	Dev: 1981
XX	Rover 800 First Honda/Rover collaborative car – became the Rover 800. LWB and CCV versions were developed, but not produced.	Dev: 1982-1986 Prod: 1986-1991
HX	Honda Legend Honda version of the XX – became the Honda Legend.	Dev: 1982-1985 Prod: 1985-1990
YY	Rover 214/216 Early part of the Rover 200 development programme, renamed AR8 in 1986.	Dev: 1985-1986
HY	Honda Concerto Honda version of YY.	Dev: 1985-1988
AR5	Rover 213/216 replacement Scheduled for a 1989 launch, but was cancelled in favour of the Honda-based AR8 (see below), which served as a replacement for both the Maestro and Rover 213/216.	Dev: 1984-1985
AR6	Metro replacement All-new supermini styled by Gerry McGovern and others under the leadership of Roy Axe, incorporating K-Series engine and steel suspension. Abandoned when it became clear that there were not enough company funds to finance its development. Replaced by the R6 (see below).	Dev: 1984-1986
AR7	Maestro replacement Engineered in-house and scheduled for a 1990 launch, this car was cancelled in 1985 in favour of the Honda-based AR8 (see below).	Dev: 1984-1985
AR8	Rover 214/216 Renamed version of the YY. Renamed R8 in 1988.	Dev: 1986-1988
AR9	Roverised Montego Thought to be a rebodied, Roverised version of the Montego, using the M16 power unit, though the existence of this project has yet to be confirmed.
AR16	Sub-800 four-door saloon Counterpart to the 5-door AR17, both of which were based on a shortened XX (Rover 800) platform.	Dev: 1984-1985
AR17	Sub-800 five-door hatchback Counterpart to the 4-door AR16, both of which were based on a shortened XX (Rover 800) platform.	Dev: 1984-1985
SK1	Rover 600 Honda-engined models.	Dev: 1989-1993 Prod: 1993-1998
SK2	Rover 600 Rover-engined models.	Dev: 1989-1993 Prod: 1993-1998
SK3	Metro replacement Honda-developed hatchback – developed specifically for Rover and would not have had a Honda-badged counterpart; cancelled in favour of Project R3 (see below).	Dev: 1989-1991
HH-R	Rover 400/45 Also known as Project Theta. The mid-term facelift which produced the 45 was called Project Oyster. See also X20, below. NB: Development dates refer to the Honda Domani, the Japanese market-only saloon that the Rover 400/Concerto was based on.	Dev: 1990-1995 Prod: 1995-2005
P38, 38A or P38A	Range Rover Mk2 Initially known as Pegasus until details were leaked, the Mk2 was so-called because the development programme was conflated from the fact it was initially known as Mustang (P51) at MGA development, then transferred to Block 38 in Solihull.	Dev: 1988-1994 Prod: 1994-2001
CB40	Land Rover Freelander This started out as the Rover Pathfinder and Oden project before morphing into CB40 – so called because it was developed in Canley Building 40.	Dev: 1992-1997 Prod: 1997-2008

Rover/MG Rover Development Codes

Code	Details	Dates
R3	Rover 200/25 Intended Metro replacement (originally codenamed SK3) based on a shortened R8 platform. Was taken upmarket into the Escort market by George Simpson. The mid-term facelift which produced the 25 was called Project Jewel. See also X30, below.	Dev: 1991-1995 Prod: 1995-2005
R6	Rover Metro/100 series Heavily revised Austin Metro, incorporating K-Series engine, PSA-derived R65 gearbox and front/rear interconnected Hydragas suspension.	Dev: 1986-1989Prod: 1990-1997
R6X	Rover Metro/100 series – alternative body New styling proposal for the R6, as designed by David Saddington – would have used no carryover parts for the exterior.	Dev: 1987 Prod: N/A
R7	Small hatchback Shortened R8 platform would have been used as a basis for this small hatchback. Styling theme established by R6X was carried over.	Dev: 1988 Prod: N/A
R8	Rover 214/216 Renamed version of AR8; the R8 code was used from the end of 1986 right through to the end of the project. The codenames Tex, Tomcat and Tracer were used for the 400 Tourer, 200 Coupe and 200 Cabriolet versions respectively.	Dev: 1986-1989 Prod: 1989-1995
R9	R8-based saloon This car would have been a larger saloon model than the R8-based 400, sharing only its front door skins. It was dropped in favour of a Roverised version of the Honda Concerto saloon (the car that was eventually launched as the 400). The R9’s role would have been closer to that of the later Rover 600.	Dev: 1986-1987
R17	Rover 800 MkII – Hatchback version.	Dev: 1989-1991 Prod: 1991-1998
R18	Rover 800 MkII –Saloon version.	Dev: 1989-1991 Prod: 1991-1998
R30	Rover 25/45 replacement Cancelled hatchback, designed using much BMW thinking. Was planned to use the Hams Hall-built NG four-cylinder engines and the joint Chrysler engine used in the MINI. Cancelled when BMW abandoned Rover.	Dev: 1996-1999
R40	Rover 75 Briefly known as RD1 in the early days. See also Core, Isis and X10, below.	Dev: 1993-1998 Prod: 1998-2005
R41	Rover 75 Tourer Developed with the help of TWR and styled by Ian Callum.	Dev: 1993-1998 Prod: 1998-2005
R59 R50 R53	New Mini Originally codenamed R59, the R50 designation was adopted in May 1996, when Frank Stephenson’s proposal (itself codenamed E50 2+2) was adopted for the body style. Car was retained and launched by BMW following the split. R53 added as the supercharged Cooper S version.	Dev: 1993-2000
RD60	Rover 45 replacement Controversial hatchback and saloon replacement for the Rover 45 range of cars. Styling by Peter Stevens is supposed to echo that of the TCV Concept Car. Chassis/floorpan modified version of Rover 75/MG ZT.	Dev: 2001-2005
X10	MG ZT	Dev: 2000-2001 Prod: 2001-2005
X11	MG ZT-T	Dev: 2000-2001 Prod: 2001-2005
X12	MG ZT V8	Dev: 2000-2003 Prod: 2003-2005
X20	MG ZS	Dev: 2000-2001 Prod: 2001-date
X30	MG ZR	Dev: 2000-2001 Prod: 2001-2005
X40	MG TF	Dev: 2000-2001 Prod: 2002-2005
X60	MG Version of the RD60 The hatchback based on the Rover 75 floorpan; will contain many TCV styling influences.	Dev: 2001-2005
X80	MG XPower SV Re-bodied and re-engineered Qvale Mangusta, styled by Peter Stevens and manufactured in Italy.	Dev: 2001-2003 Prod: 2003-2005
X120	MG Midget/Roadster/GT Trio of new sports cars based on MG TF underpinnings. Designed as the new Midget, Roadster and GT – to sell in the USA.	Dev: 2003-2005
RD110	CityRover Rebadged and lightly restyled Tata Indica.	Dev: 2003-2004 Prod: 2004-2005
RDX60 RDX130	Rover 45/MG ZS Replacement MG Rover codename for MG and Rover ranges.
RDX30	Rover 25/MG ZR MG Rover codename for both ranges.
RDX20	Rover 45/MG ZS MG Rover codename for both ranges.
RDX10	Rover 75/MG ZT MG Rover codename for both ranges.

Project Code Names

Codename	Details	Dates
Adder	MG RV8 The project name for the MGB-based roadster which became the MGR V8. The prototype was also known as PR4 (see below).	Dev: 1989-1993 Prod: 1993-1995
Core	Rover 75 The initial project name for the car that would become the Rover 75. At this time, it was one of a suite of three large-car projects (the others being Eric and Flagship) based on an all-new Rover platform.	Dev: 1993-1998 Prod: 1998-date
Eric	Large avantgarde coupe The third model in Rover’s initial project mid-1990s large-car programme (along with Core and Flagship), this would have been an executive-class coupe, apparently not unlike the Renault Avantime in concept. Like Flagship (below), it did not progress beyond the fibreglass model stage.	Dev: 1993-1994
Flagship	Range-topping model Part of Rover’s mid-1990s large-car programme (along with Core and Eric), and as the name suggests, this would have been a luxury saloon sitting above the 800 in the range; it was affectionately referred to within the company as Flashpig. Like Eric (above), it did not progress beyond the fibreglass model stage.	Dev: 1993-1994
Isis	Rover 75 An old Morris model name, revived to refer to one incarnation of the car that would become the Rover 75. This codename was used between Core and RD1.	Dev: 1993-1998 Prod: 1998-2005
Jewel	Rover 25 Facelift of the R3 Rover 200 to bring it into line with Rover’s new 75-inspired family look.	Dev: 1998-1999 Prod: 1999-2005
Oyster	Rover 45 Facelift of the HH-R Rover 400 to bring it into line with Rover’s new 75-inspired family look.	Dev: 1998-1999 Prod: 1999-2005
Pathfinder	Soft-roader/SUV Aborted high-bodied multi-purpose vehicle, using the Rover 800 floorpan. Evolved into the CB40 (Land Rover Freelander) project.	Dev: 1989-1992
Synchro	Rover 600 See entries for SK1 and SK2, above.	Dev: 1989-1993 Prod: 1993-1998
Theta	Rover 400/45 Alternative name for Project HH-R (above). See also X20.	Dev: 1990-1995 Prod: 1995-date
Tex	Rover 400 Tourer Developed as part of the R8 programme.	Dev: 1988-1992 Prod: 1994-1996
Tomcat	Rover 200 Coupe Developed as part of the R8 programme.	Dev: 1988-1992 Prod: 1993-1999
Tracer	Rover 200 Cabriolet Developed as part of the R8 programme.	Dev: 1988-1992 Prod: 1992-1999
Topaz	Rover 100 Cabriolet Rover Metro/100 open-topped version.	Dev: 1990-1992 Prod: 1992-1999
Troy	Lamm Mini Cabriolet Rover Mini open-topped version.	Dev: 1990-1992 Prod: 1992-1999

Project Phoenix and the PR/PX Development Codes

Code	Details	Dates
F-16	MG-F forerunner Gerry McGovern-styled car with front-engined, front-wheel-drive configuration. This design marks the birth of the MG-F concept, as its shape was used to form the body panels for PR1, PR2 and PR3.	Dev: 1985-1989
PR1	MG-F forerunner The first of three Phoenix prototypes, this car was built in steel by Motor Panels on Maestro underpinnings and used a front-mounted transverse 2.0-litre M16 engine.	Dev: 1989-1990
PR2	MG-F forerunner The second Phoenix prototype was built by Reliant using the Scimitar SS1 as its basis, and had a Rover 3.9-litre V8 engine.	Dev: 1989-1990
PR3	MG-F forerunner The third Phoenix prototype, built by ADC. This was the mid-engined design which was successful in being selected to be taken forward as the MG-F.	Dev: 1990
	PR3/8300 Styling development of original PR3 exercise, produced by ADC in 1991 as part of the process of ‘productionising’ the design.	Dev: 1991
	MG-F Gerry McGovern sketched this final proposal for the PR3, giving the car much needed character, whilst also doing away with the need for troublesome and aerodynamically inefficient pop-up lights.	Dev: 1991-1995 Prod: 1995-date
PR4	MGR V8 This code was assigned to Project Adder, the MGB-based roadster which became the MGR V8 (see Project Adder, above).	Dev: 1989-1993 Prod: 1993-1995
DR2/PR5	Parallel MG-F proposal This Roy Axe design was altogether bigger than the other PR-series cars but, like PR2, it had a front-mounted V8 and rear-wheel drive. It could potentially have become an Austin-Healey if the marque had been revived.	Dev: 1990
PX1	Parallel MG-F proposal A revival of the PR1 project, this car was based on front-engined, front-wheel-drive R17 (Rover 800) underpinnings. Was further developed to become Adventurer-1 (pictured).	Dev: 1991
PX2	Parallel MG-F proposal Related to PX1, but with a shortened wheelbase and retro-styling. Became Adventurer-2 (pictured).	Dev: 1991

Miscellaneous Codes

Of course, in a company as wide ranging as British Leyland, many, many other projects were given their own names, as it was not until the 1980s that a centralised product design and planning system was set-up.

This page includes the one-off project names, plus some of the code series which existed within the individual companies prior to the various mergers.

BMC

Code	Details	Dates
9X	New Mini Issigonis-designed, OHC-engined hatchback to replace the Mini. 9X incorporated 850, 1000cc three door Mini-replacement hatchbacks and a further, extended 5-door version using 1200 and 1500c six-cylinder versions of the same OHC engine to replace ADO16.	Dev: 1967-87
10X	New small family car Extended 9X that never left the drawing board, designed to replace the ADO16.	Dev: 1967-68
Barrel Car	New Mini Longbridge-produced Mini facelift proposal – this later became known as the Project Ant, which formed an early part of the ADO74 project. Publicised in the Jeff Daniels and Graham Robson books.	Dev: 1968

Rover P Series

Code	Details	Dates
P1	‘D-back’ Ten , Twelve and Fourteen saloons (P1 Ten continued to end of 1937). Open Tourer Twelve and Fourteen models 1934-36	Prod: 1934-36
P2	Phase 1 (1936-40) New Twelve, Fourteen and Sixteen, more rounded style, enclosed boot, in six-light Saloon and four-light Sports Saloon versions.Phase 2 (1938-40) New Ten in ‘scaled-down’ P2 Twelve six-light style plus low-volume Ten 2-door Coupe and Twenty Sports Saloon.Phase 3 (1946-48) Post-war Ten six-light, Twelve, Fourteen and Sixteen in four and six-light styles. ‘Export only’ Twelve Tourer.	Prod: 1936-48
P3	Rover 60, 75.	Prod: 1948-50
P4	‘Cyclops’ 75, then 60, 75, 90, 105, 80, 100, 95, 110.	Prod: 1949-64
P5	Three-Litre (first monocoque Rover).	Prod: 1958-67
P5B	3.5 litre version of the P5 (saloon and coupé).	Dev: 1965-67 Prod: 1967-73
P6	2000, 2200 (base unit construction).	Prod: 1963-77
P6B	Three Thousand Five – 3.5 litre version of P6.	Prod: 1966-76
P6BS	Mid-engined sports car Porsche eater – development version.	Dev: 1965-68
P7	Five, six and V6 cylinder versions of P6 used in P8 development programme – never intended for production.	Dev: 1962-74
P8	3.5, 4.0 and 4.4 litre versions of the P5 replacement. Axed by British Leyland at the point of going into production.	Dev: 1963-71
P9	Productionised version of the P6BS.	Dev: 1968-70
P10	Rover P10 became known as the RT-1 and then SD1.	Dev: 1969-71

Rover-Triumph

Code	Details	Dates
SD1	Rover 3500 SD stands for Specialist Division	Dev: 1970-76 Prod: 1976-86
SD2	Triumph Dolomite replacement Solihull designed five-door hatchback, using 1.5 and 2-litre Triumph engines. Merged with the ADO77 project in 1975.	Dev: 1971-75
SD3	Rover 213/216 Little-known code applied retrospectively by Engineers for the range that replaced the Triumph Acclaim. Apparently, Honda had it in mind to use the code SD2, until it was pointed out that that one had already been taken (see above)…	Dev: 1982-84
SD5	Land-Rover replacement A proposed replacement for the traditional Land Rover…	Dev: 1972-1974
Bravo	Rover SD1 reskin Late 1970s proposal to relaunch the SD1 with new bodywork, in both four- and five-door forms. Plan was abandoned in favour of Project XX (Rover 800).	Dev: 1979-80

Austin-Morris

Code	Details	Dates	Picture
AM2	Metro saloon The three-box Metro was touted for production from 1981/’82, but would end up being dropped in favour of the five-door version, which was introduced in 1984.	Dev: Late 1970s
AM2X	Montego Called this in the lead-up to the creation of Austin Rover Group, when it was rechristened the LM11.	Dev: Late 1970s

Triumph-Morris

Code	Details	Dates	Picture
TM1	Triumph-Morris family saloon Short-lived replacement for the Triumph SD2, encompassing both the replacement for the Dolomite and the Marina. Was dropped in favour of the front-wheel-drive LC10 project.	Dev: 1975

Triumph

Code	Details	Dates
Bullet	Sports car Front-engined, rear-wheel-drive, targa top, two-seater sports car developed to replace the TR6 and GT6. Developed and federalised to produce the Triumph TR7.	Dev: 1969-70
Lynx	Sports car projects
	Michelotti-styled coupe version of the Bullet.	Dev: 1969-71
	Coupe version of the TR7/TR8 – failed to become production reality due to production interruption at Speke.	Dev: 1973-77
Puma	Executive car Triumph replacement for the 2000/2500 models – was cancelled in favour of the Rover proposal, the Canley and Solihull teams joined forces and the joint replacement car became the SD1.	Dev: 1967-71

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Keith Adams

Editor and creator AROnline at AROnline

Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.

Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...

Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.