Details on a VIN plate?

[hendriks]

Hi All,

I have the following on my VIN plate and i cannot figure (G oogle) it out.

can anyone help please

234T EA 378 1894
67/67
2352 007 082 - this I understand!

then i also have a small plate next to the VIN plate with 030 on?

Thanks.

[CooP]

If it's a South African VIN plate then I'm afraid that VWSA will be very unhelpful in this regard. After a dozen e-mails I managed to eventually get a reply from someone who stated that they can't help. Is that all the info on the plate or just a selection?

[retrovan]

Best I can do is to offer you this information.
Maybe you can sort it out your self.........

From the 1st August 1964 to 31st July 1969, Chassis (VIN) Numbers were nine digits. Three of these where identification numbers and the other six where serial numbers i.e. 215 019 888. The first three digits of this prefix (215), where made up of the first two digits were the model type (21), and the third digit was the model year (5).

From the 1st August 1969 to 31st July 1979 Chassis (VIN) Numbers were ten digits. Three of these where identification numbers and the other seven where serial numbers i.e. 2152 023 156. See below for the format:

The chassis number can be broken down as follows:

First digit the vehicle type: “2” Type 2.
Second digit the model:
1. Panel van
2. Micro Bus
3. Kombi
4. Micro Bus Deluxe
5. Micro Bus Deluxe 7 Seater
6. LHD
7. Ambulance
8. Pickup, also Micro Bus

Third digit defines the year that the vehicle was made i.e. 5 (1965) between 1st August 1964 and 31st July 1965.
Fourth digit only for production after 1st August 1969 is 2. So the forth (Extra), digit just donated that the vehicle was built in the 1970s rather than the sixties. We think they ran out of numbers! The remaining digits are the serial numbers.

The Location of the chassis (VIN) number remains on the identification plate on the right side of the air duct until the July 31st 1967. From 1st August 1967 to 31st July 1971 the Chassis number is on the engine cover below the air filter. After 31st July 1971 the Chassis (VIN) number was moved to the rear right side of the engine bay.

German Chassis Plate (Early Models):

UK & Ireland Chassis Plate (Late Models):
Uk & Ireland Volkswagen Camper Chassis Plate

German Chassis Plate(Late Models):
German Volkswagen camper Chassis Plate
How to read the Chassis Plate:

Whilst the UK based Chassis Plates can relatively easily be read and understood the German based plates are a little more difficult. One thing to note is that the most important information on a Chassis Plate is the actual Chassis number. This will tell you what year the bus was built, what type of bus, i.e. Crew Cab and then the unique six figure serial number for the vehicle. Perhaps a couple of tables might help with translating the German Chassis Plate:

Early Models:
VOLKSWAGENWERK GmbH
Typ
Two digit model type FAHGEST - Nr
Chassis Number
zul GESAMTGEN KG
Maximum Gross Weight Year of production
zul ACHSLAST VORN KG
Front axle weight zul HINTEN KG
Rear axle weight

Late Models:

VOLKSWAGENWERK AG
WEST GERMANY
Typ: 23
2 digit model type. Sometimes suffixed by another 2 digit code such as AF which is the engine code. So the code 23/AF is a Type 2 Kpmbi with a 1600cc engine.
Heizg. Typ 2/255A Pruiz ~~~S45
This is supposed to refer to the heating system and we belive that its a German requirement.
Fahrgest.-Nr. CCCCCCCCC
is the chassis number, often called the VIN Number
Zul. Gesamtgew. kg. 2300
Maximum gross weight of the vehicle Baujahr
Build Year (Before 1954)
Zul. Achslast vorn kg. 1020
Maximum axle weight - front hinten kg 1150
Maximum axle weight - rear

So, above we have told you everything you need to know about the Chassis Plate and VIN numbers of your bus. But to clarify the points above the following table represents how to decode your Chassis (VIN), number:

Sample Chassis Number: 2142 167 180.

There is basically five parts to this number and if we label them 2(A), 1(B), 4(C), 2(D), 167 180(E).

A (2) = Vehicle Type, in this instance its a "2", so the vehicle is a Type 2.
B (1) = Model Type, in this instance its a "1", so the vehicle is a Panel Van
C (4) = Second letter of the year of manufacture, in this instance its a "4" so the van was built in 1954, 1964, 1974.
D (2) = Built after August 1969, in this instance its a "2" (cant be anything else), so we know the van was built in 1974.
E (167 180) = The unique 6 digit serial number.

Hope it helps,
Herman

[hendriks]

hi Herman and Coop,

Thanks for the reply guys!!
I understand the vin number part - my kombi is 1975.

what i don't understand is the other stuff on the little plate/s.
I read on several forums that it indicates the original colour of the inside and outside of the kombi as well as anything different (like a sunroof or walk through).
but not much info on these things for SA busses that i can find...

thanks

[fig]

There's no info on what the codes on SA VIN plates mean. The first digits at top right, 234, signify Kombi RHD sliding door left. You know the VIN is for 75. With the sequential number 7 082, that implies it was built in the first week of 75 production in August 1974. It would have been assembled in SA about 6-8 weeks later.

[fig]

Another thing I have noticed is that the 4-digit number on the top right of mid-70s SA VIN plates, in this case 1894, is also a sequential number, possibly a production line number.

[hendriks]

Thanks fig

[Bushpig]

While we are all on the subject, I also need the Wise Ones input - I picked up a bus this week (will post pics) that had been standing for 20 odd years. I think it is a 55+ since it has semiphores and the roof overhang in the front. I have tried to get the chassis but the rust has eaten some of the numbers off so if someone can fill in the gaps so maybe I can get a year. (stamped in body no other plates)

The chassis no ......43808 and is a micro bus. I assume there must be a 21 at the start and the 4 is the type (micro bus) but then the number may be too short - any ideas.

Maybe some came across this in their youth it is "off white" on the bottom halt with the windows and up and the "V" on the nose a green. Judging from the one inside armrest this was an olive green. Maybe the colour scheme may indicate the year. I am trying to get some history. The number plate was painted on CBY3044 and it was on a farm in Redelinghuys.

It is no doubt past saving but may give it a go.

Thanks for the help all is needed.

[fig]

Bruce, your bus is most certainly a Palm Green over Sand Green Microbus, which dates it to between 3/55 and mid-1958.

The VIN you gave is incomplete, but probably only by one digit. The format you refer to started in August 1964 for the 1965 model year. Until then bus VINs were simple sequential production numbers. Until December 1955, bus VINs were preceded by the digits 20, but this was dropped from January 1956.

Assuming you're missing the first digit(s), your bus possibly dates from:
September 1955 if the VIN is 20-143808
March 1957 if the VIN is 243808
April 1958 if the VIN is 343808

M-plates were first fitted to buses in October 1958, so this bus would never have had one. The VIN would have been stamped on the firewall to the right of the engine, alongside a chassis plate that would also have been stamped with the VIN. AFAIK, Microbuses of that era were imported, not assembled locally, although I could be wrong. If it was a locally assembleed bus, it would have had a SAMAD VIN plate under the front seat on the LHS.

Another pointer to age is that early buses had a body number (NOT to be confused with the VIN), which was stamped somewhere on the front of the bulkhead in the cab. The body number might point to which of the above three possible production dates is correct.

Another thing to note is that buses were built in Wolfsburg until 3/56, and Wolfsburg buses have many under the skin differences to later Hannover buses. The flat bit for the number plate on the front bumper is narrower on Wolfsburg buses than on Hannover buses (pressed bumper models). Also, the transmission cradle on Wolfsburg buses is made of round tubing, rather than U-channel as on Hannover buses. There are also other differences, which you can find by searching on thesamba.com.

How about posting lots of detailed pics in My Ride to give us a better idea.

[fig]

Good info Herman, but there are some errors. See below:

First digit the vehicle type: “2” Type 2.
Second digit the model:
1. Panel van
2. Micro Bus
3. Kombi
4. Micro Bus Deluxe
5. Micro Bus Deluxe 7 Seater
6. LHD (Not so, 6 signifies pick-up, SC or DC)
7. Ambulance
8. Pickup, also Micro Bus (I'm not sure about 8, never seen it, but it's definitely NOT pick-up)

[retrovan]

Good info Herman, but there are some errors. See below:

First digit the vehicle type: “2” Type 2.
Second digit the model:
1. Panel van
2. Micro Bus
3. Kombi
4. Micro Bus Deluxe
5. Micro Bus Deluxe 7 Seater
6. LHD (Not so, 6 signifies pick-up, SC or DC) Maybe 6 should be 8
7. Ambulance
8. Pickup, also Micro Bus (I'm not sure about 8, never seen it, but it's definitely NOT pick-up)And maybe 8 should be 6

Not sure ??

[VW-rules]

After stuggling for months to identify my split bus ambulance's vin tag I found this.

http://www.vw-mplate.com

filled in the numbers in the blank boxes and 'voila' spot on for colour etc

Try it

[CooP]

My 1972 bus (LHD German import) has a full and detailed M-plate that I have deciphered in detail.

The numbers on my RSA built 1971 (I think) don't seem to fit in the standard M-code fields. I have just two rows of embossed numbers on an otherwise plain steel plate that is fixed with a single rivet to the panel behind the drivers seat.
214N 11141
00/57/50
Just like that. Any clues?

[Bushpig]

Thanks a ton people. I will dive into & under the bus and take the pics and post under my ride (if I can remember how to post pics)

[louschr]

Hi guys,
I'm from Germany and owned a SA-Beetle (slightly different to most of you ).

The VIN of this car looks like this:

1152258618/6

Now my question: does anyone know what the "/6" stands for???

Thanks alot!