Re: [T3] VIN vs. Model number

[Big Al <Big.Al@HVWC.net>]

<x-flowed>>Jason Wrote:
> so if my notch has the very first #s 311 its a LHD S model?

No, let me rephrase my previous post.

The vin has
N O T H I N G
to do with the model number.

i.e.,
Over there is the model number ---------------------------->
<---------------------Over there is the vin number

Not even close to related.
Nothing to do with each other.
nada.

The first digit of the VIN tells you what type it is (i.e., 3=type 3)
The second digit tells you the body style
	in the type 3 line
		1=sedan, which could mean notch or fast
		4=ghia  (*true of type 1 also)
		6=squareback
The third digit tells you the last digit of the YEAR MODEL as opposed 
to when it was produced.

So a vin of 311 xxx xxx(x)
would be a type 3, Sedan (Notchback or Fastback), 1971 model.

This would not tell you anything about trim level or motor specs.

-----------------------------
AS OPPOSED TO MODEL NUMBER
-----------------------------
which LOOKS the same but has a completely different meaning.

First digit = type  (sounds familiar right?)
Second digit = body style (here's where the differences start)
	1= specifies Notch - until July/65 and then the notch was 
determined by the 3rd digit.
	1 = specifies Fast after July/65
	4 = Ghia - all years
	6 = Square - all years
Third digit = (here comes the curve ball)
This number denotes the side of the car the driver sit's on, sunroof 
option and engine (and after July/65  ALSO denotes body style). these 
number rules are completely different from the Type 1 and 2 and 4, so 
don't go applying these to your other A-C VW unless noted.
	Odd numbers always denote LHD (*all types)
	Even numbers always denote RHD (*all types)
	1&2 = solid roof, except for T3Ghias which evidently VW 
considered to make a convertible.
	3&4 = with sunroof (*except T3Ghias which meant solid roof)
	5&6 on T3Ghias = with sunroof
	5-8 on Notch and Square = These numbers denote 1500 vs 1600, 
and LHD vs RHD, and with or without sunroof.  They get all screwy and 
is best explained by looking at this webpage:
http://www.autographica.com/t3pbo/pages/models.html


So, even if you knew the model number and not the year or the vin, 
you still couldn't determine between Notch or Fast by the model 
number.

Therefore it is  MUST that everyone knows the VIN and the MODEL 
NUMBER for their car if they want to restore it correctly.

Hopefully this will straighten things out between VIN and MODEL numbers.


(Greg:  if you want to add this to VWType3.org's FAQ, be my guest!)

Al

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