Ah, Ray, I beg to differ: they did have model year designation...mine was made late in November '73 & 1st registered in Apr '74 as a '74 - pretty quick transport & sale that was. However, you're correct. That doesn't make it a '74. The complete VIN does!
The complete VIN for mine is: GAN5-U-E-143029G
To help understand what some of those letters mean, here's the code:
The "U" designates North America
The "E" designates a 1974 model year car - built August 1973 to October 1974 (138801 to 153920)
143029 - Puts it in the 1974 model year sequence!
Horler states on page 110, <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">"The change from one model year to the next was identified by a new code letter accompanied by a small break in the GAN5 chassis number sequence as follows:
A August 1969 to June 1970, 74886 to 88596
B June 1970 to May 1971, 89501 to 105146
C May 1971 to July 1972, 105501 to 123644
D July 1972 to August 1973, 123731 to 138753
E August 1973 to October 1974, 138801 to 153920"</span></span>
Thus,
A...1970
B...1971
C...1972
D...1973
E...1974
So, as with MGB's, not all '74 Midgets had "Sabrina" bumper overriders! 1974 North America Midgets have a VIN that reads:
GAN5-U-E-13881 thru 153920-G
.......I have one of the 15,119 North American 1974 Midgets...who else has one based on the VIN?