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Esprit Vin Numbers
(Vehicle Indentification Number) Where is it and what does it mean?

We had a few questions about VIN numbers in the past, so thought it's about time we sorted out a short guide for Esprit owners to clear up all the information about VIN numbers on the different Esprit engines. This information is taken from the service manuals of each model. Unfortunately the early manual weren't as informative as the later ones. So here we go.

V8 VIN Number
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped onto the chassis frame on the vertical surface of a flange between the inboard pivots of the right hand front suspension lower wishbone, viewable via the right hand front wheelarch. The engine number on 4 cylinder cars is stamped onto a horizontal surface at the right hand rear of the cylinder block, and on V8 models on a vertical flange at the left hand rear of the cylinder block.

Both VIN and engine numbers are duplicated on bar code labels fixed to the front bulkhead in the front luggage compartment, and on some vehicles the VIN is repeated for convenience on a label viewable through the windscreen.

Both numbers should always be quoted with any vehicle enquiries, as Factory records are filed against VIN, and specification change points are identified by VIN or engine number. The vehicle licence number may not accurately reflect vehicle age, and may be changed during the car’s life, and are an unreliable method of identification.

There are three variations of the VIN; prior to ‘98 M.Y. there is one for domestic and non-USA export markets, which complies with European Economic Community (EEC) directives; and one for the USA which complies with requirements laid down by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). From ‘98 M.Y. a common coding is used. The seventeen characters of the VIN are coded as follows:

NOTES
1. Prior to ‘98 M.Y., different serial number sequences are used for the the following variants:

S4 prior to ‘95 M.Y.: 0001 to 0010, then 1011 onwards
S4 ‘95 M.Y.: d- &K’J 2000 onwards
S4S USA: 3000 onwards
S4S non-USA: 4000 onwards
sport 300: 8001 onwards
Esprit V8: 5009 onwards

2. For change point identification in this manual, only VIN characters 10 (model year) and 14 to 17, (serial number) will be listed. e.g.:

R 1242 (‘94 model year S4, serial 1242)
R 8030 (‘94 model year Sport 300, serial 8030)

Non-USA Prior ‘98 M.Y.

USA Prior ‘98 M.Y.

‘98 M.Y. onwards

4-Cylinder VIN Number
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is recorded on an aluminium plate or bar code label fixed to the wheelarch or bulkhead inside the front luggage compartment. This number is repeated on the right hand side of the chassis front frame, visible from within the right hand front wheelarch. The VIN must be quoted with all parts enquiries.

There are two variations of the VIN, one being for Domestic and Export markets other than for the USA, which complies with European Economic Community (EEC) directives, and one for USA which complies with requirements laid down by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).

The seventeen characters of the VIN are coded as shown below.

NOTES
1. Prior to 1991 M.Y., separate serial number sequences are used for the following groups of chassis market (character 12);
D (Domestic); A,E,G,H,S (Export); B,C,F,K (USA).

1991 and subsequent model year vehicles restart the single serial number sequence at 0001 at the start of each model year.

2. VIN serial number introduction points for models prior to 1991. M.Y.

'88 M.Y. Export Esprit & Esprit Turbo; 1000
'88 M.Y. USA Esprit Turbo; 2000
'88 M.Y. Domestic Esprit & Esprit Turbo; 3000
'89 M.Y. USA Esprit Turbo (MPFI); 2500
All Markets Esprit Turbo S.E.; 5000

3. For prior 1991 M.Y. change point identification in Service Notes, Parts Lists and Service Bulletins, the following VIN characters will be quoted;

Domestic & Export - 5,6,12,14 to 17
USA - 4,12,14 to 17

Example A typical change point could be listed as follows;

82 D 3100 (Domestic Turbo 3100)
82 A/E/G/H/S 1050 (Export Turbo 1050)
F B/C/F/K 2150 (USA Turbo 2150)

If a dash is used in place of the chassis market letter code (e.g. 82 - 1050 or F - 2150), this is the change point for all markets not otherwise listed.

For 1991 M.Y. onwards changepoint identification, VIN characters 10 and 14 to 17 will be quoted. e.g. M 0062 (1991 M.Y. unit 0062)

Domestic & Export

Character 12 (Chassis Market) from VIN serial No. 1160, 2751, 3615, 5327:

A=RHD with Catalyst
F=LHD with Catalyst
D=RHD without Catalyst
H=LHD without Catalyst

CHASSIS PLATE MARKING (Esprit Chargecooler)
'S.E. (Chargecooler) models are identified on cars with aluminium VIN plates by the letters SE stamped as shown:

USA

Giugiaro S3 & Turbo VIN Number
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped on a plate fixed to the right or left har.d front wheelarch inside the front luggage compartment. This number is repeated on the right hand side of the chassis front frame, visible from within the right hand front wheelarch.

This number, together with the engine number (see here) should be quoted in all enquiries regarding the vehicle.

There are two variations of the VIN, one being for Domestic and export markets other than for the USA, which complies with European Economic Community (EEC) directives, and one for the USA which complies with requirements laid down by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).

The seventeen characters of the VLN are coded as follows:

NOTES
1. USA VIN character 6:

501 = Basic Elite 521 = Basic Eclat 701 = Basic Esprit
502 = Elite A/C 522 = Eclat A/C 702 = Esprit A/C
503 = Elite A/C & PAS 523 = Eclat A/C & PAS 701 Comm = Esprit Commnerative
504 = Elite Auto A/C& PAS 524 = Eclat Auto A/C & PAS 702 C m = Esprit C m . A/C

2. Seperate serial number sequences are used for the follwing groups of chassis mrket (character 12);

D
A, E, G, H, S
B, C, F, K

3. For change point identification in Service Notes, Parts Lists and Service Bulletins, the follming VIN characters ONLY will be quoted;

Domestic & Export – 5,6,12,14 to 17
USA – 4,12,14 to 17

Example
A typical change point could be listed as follows;

82 D 1100 (Domestic Turbo 1100)
82 A/E/G/H/S 0341 (Export Turbo 0341)
F B/C/F/K 0265 (USA Tu r b 0265 )

Note that three nmhxs are needed to identify the single change point due to the different serial nlrmber seguences outlined in note 2.
If a dash is used in place of the chassis market letter rode (e.g. 82 - 0341 or F - 0265), this is the change point for all markets in that serial number sequence not otherwise listed.

Domestic & Export

USA
(also Domestic & Export up to serial nos.; Elite L718 (Dom) 0236 (Exp), Eclat 1034 (Dom) 0205 (Exp), Esprit 0934 (Dom) 0307 (Exp))

Giugiaro S1 & S2 VIN Number
All cars are identified by a Chassis (Cor) Number, and this number will be found on the Identification Plate which is located in the front compartment on the rear bulkhead.

The engine nvmber is duplicated on the right-hand rear of the cylinder block, above the starter motor. In all communication with the Factory, the Chassis Number MUST BE QUOTED IN FULL.

An example of the Chassis (Car) Number is given below, together with the full identification breakdown.

76 05 100 G Chassis (Car) Number

76 05 Denotes year and month of manufacture (1976, May)
100 Denotes the number
G Denotes the Territory the car i s destined for
  G = Deomestic and Eurpean
H = North America
J = Rest of World

Buying the Manuals
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Esprit Service
and Parts manuals can be found at our shop www.esprit4sale.co.uk and discounts are available for ClubLEW members in the discount section of www.clublew.co.uk

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