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From: tom@mims-iris.waterloo.edu (Tom Haapanen)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Parsing VINs
Date: 5 Mar 90 03:40:05 GMT
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Cal Jewell <jewell@Data-IO.COM> writes:
> "So what?" you might ask. Well, I have been trying to find out how to
> parse a car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). From talking to
> various people, I have found out that, among other itmes, the
> following information is included in the VIN:
This might be in the rec.autos archive, too, but if it isn't here's the scoop: the VINs are standardized (SAE J272, J218, J1044 and J1229). manufacturers adhere to it). This is the way it breaks down (note that most examples are for GM cars):
(standardized items marked with *)
Section 1: WMI (World Manufacturer Identification)
Digit Description Examples
1 * Country of origin 1 = US
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico
W = West Germany
J = Japan
K = Korea
2-3 * Manufacturer code G1 = Chevrolet
G2 = Pontiac
G3 = Oldsmobile
G4 = Buick
G5 = Cadillac
GC = Chevrolet truck
GT = GMC truck
VW = Volkswagen
HM = Honda
Section 2: VDS (Vehicle Description Section) - passenger cars
Digit Description Examples
4 Carline code J = Cavalier/Sunbird
F = Camaro/Firebird
5 Series code B = Sunbird
D = Sunbird SE
U = Sunbird GT
6 *? Body style code 1 = 2-dr coupe
2 = 2-dr hatchback
3 = 2-dr convertible
5 = 4-dr sedan
6 = 4-dr hatchback
8 = 4-dr wagon
7 * Restraint system 1 = manual belts
2 = manual belts with safety
3 = manual belts + air bag
4 = automatic belts
8 Engine code 5 = 1.3L L3 2-barrel
8 = 5.7L V8 TPI
9 * Check digit
Section 3: VIS (Vehicle Indicator Section)
Digit Description Examples
10 * Model year J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
11 * Assembly plant H = Flint
9 = Oshawa
12-17 * Sequential serial number
Basically, section 1 is assigned by SAE, so it's standardized, as is section 3. Section 2, however, is manufacturer-dependent, although all manufacturers are encouraged to indicate the carline, series and body type in that section. The layout shown for section 2 is valid for GM vehicles. Trucks have a different layout all their own.
I'd be interested in finding more manufacturer and country codes ... let me know if you have some! :) They're also published by SAE on a semi-annual basis, but I have no list...
[ \tom haapanen -- university of waterloo -- tom@mims-iris.waterloo.edu ]
[ "i say what i say, but i say it for myself and myself only" -- me ] [ "i don't even know what street canada is on" -- al capone ]D,#TD1Ps T[Begin using 006 escapes]
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From: msir_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Mark Sirota)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Parsing VINs
Date: 5 Mar 90 06:36:50 GMT
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In article <1418@pilchuck.Data-IO.COM> jewell@Data-IO.COM (Cal Jewell) writes:
> I have been trying to find out how to parse a car's VIN (Vehicle
> Identification Number). From talking to various people, I have found out
> that, among other itmes, the following information is included in the VIN:
> color
> doors > make, model > engine size > manufacturer > where it was made (the plant name) > some options > etc...
>
> Well, does any body know how to parse a VIN? I'm looking for substantive
> answers here, not "I think it is like this" or "I think the Nth character
> is for whatever".
Okay, here's the info out of my '87 VW GTI/Golf/Jetta service manual. It says:
Since 1981: 1VW F B 0 17 5 B V 123456 [spacing mine]
a b c d e f g h i [key for table below]
KEY DIGITS DESCRIPTION CODE
--- ------ ----------------------- -------------------------------------
a 1-3 Manufacturer's ID 1VW: Pass. Car U.S.
WVW: Pass. Car European Production
b 4 Line and Body Type B: Golf 2 Door
(varies by body style C: Golf GT, Jetta - 2 Door
and models) D: GTI - 2 Door
F: 4 Door (Golf, USA Jetta)
G: Golf GT 4-Door, Jetta 4 Door
c 5 Engine [No description given]
d 6 Passenger Restraint 0: Active Restraint System
System 1: Passive Restraint System
e 7-8 Model 16: Jetta
17: Golf
f 9 Check Digit (no 0 through 9, or X for 10
significance for mechanic)
g 10 Model Year F: 1985
G: 1986
H: 1987
h 11 Manufacturing Plant E: Emdem
H: Hannover
K: Osnabrueck
V: Westmoreland
W: Wolfsburg
i 12-17 Sequential Production 000 001 through 999 999
Number [serial number]
--
Mark Sirota - University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Internet: msir_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu
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From: stanh@meyerhof.bcm.tmc.edu (Stan Hanks)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Parsing VINs
Date: 5 Mar 90 18:37:21 GMT
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Decoding VIN numbers? Well, for the Porsche 911 family it goes like this: (courtesy "The 911 Performance Handbook" by Bruce Anderson. And yes, this is now a page in the "Ready Reference" section of my Franklin planner...)
1 1 1 1 1111
123 456 78 9 0 1 2 3 4567
WPO AA0 91 0 B S 1 2 0001
/ ^^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
/ ||| | | | | | | four digit serial number
Porsche / ||| | | | | | |
world / ||| | | | | | |
producer / || | | | | | Body + engine code:
code / || | | | | | 0 - RoW (Rest of World) SC/Carrera
/ / | | | | | | 1 - RoW Turbo Targa
VDS: / / | | | | | | 2 - US SC/Carrera
system | | Model year (B=81, C=82, etc.) 0=passive | | 1=active | Test Digit (value varies, don't know how) If all digits are | ZZZ, car is RoW 1st & 2nd digits of type (e.g. 91, 93, 95)
Of course, for pre-81 models, it turns into a 10-digit Porsche "part number" instead of a VIN number. Decoding those gets to be real entertaining.....
Stanley P. Hanks e-mail: stanh@bcm.tmc.edu Director, Technology Planning and Development voice: (713) 798-4649
Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston TX 77030, Mail Stop: IR-3