How to Read the VINs on Classic Cars

Classic cars have VINs, but they mean different things based on the manufacturer.

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a number that identifies a car and is unique to every car. No two cars have the same VIN, making it easy to identify for information purposes which car you are talking about. Before 1981, there were no standards for these numbers, so different manufacturers, such as Ford and General Motors, used different formats. The three major manufacturers at the time were Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Each part of the VIN is used to identify something about the car.

Things You'll Need

• classic car

Instructions

1. Find the VIN on the car. Depending on the make and the model, different letters represent different things, but they all contain the same aspects. The maker of the car, as well as the body type are in the VIN.

2. The cost of the car is in the VIN and can be represented with the following: E stands for Economy, L stands for Low, M stands for Medium, H stands for High, O stands for Super Stock, P stands for Premium, S stands for Special, K stands for Police and T stands for Taxi. The body style and engine code are also listed in the VIN.

3. The model year is in the VIN as well. The assembly plant code is in the VIN, depending on the manufacturer and where the plant is located.

References

• Classic Cars: Decoding VINS