VIN/build plate Decoder

[rockminster]

Is there a VIN/build plate decoder for the MK IIs? I'm particularly interested in how you decipher orginal colors. Also, would the factory air option be on the build plate?

Many thanks.

[Barry Wolk]

Post the numbers and I'll decipher them for you.

[Chuck Lutz]

I was looking at another MkII this weekend with #C5681016. This seems like an early batch of production can anyone tell me anything about the car?

[Barry Wolk]

Real early. 10 before mine. Probably a black car with no air as most of the Introductory Units were.

[Chuck Lutz]

Yes, a black car for sale Northeast of the SF Bay Area. Somewhere along the line a vinyl top was add. (Ad says Dealer installed, who knows) I have no idea about the condition as there were only 2 pics of the exterior that were anything but close range. LOL
Missing rocker chrome, and orig wheel covers. I've seen it for sale for awhile now.
Just thought it was interesting that the number was so low. Didn't they begin at 900 something?

[Barry Wolk]

#975 was the earliest car, I believe. #1001 was the first production car.

[rockminster]

Post the numbers and I'll decipher them for you.

Thanks Barry,

Serial: C56A1798
body: 041A11223
style: II60A

[Barry Wolk]

Thanks Barry,

Serial: C56A1798
body: 041A11223
style: II60A


II60A is the body style

The serial number shows that it was built in November of 1955, as were 251 other cars.

04 is the body color (light blue) with a light blue leather interior (1A). The 11 is the month of the year (November), the next number is the day of the month (2nd) followed by the rotation number (23rd car built).

Your car did have bumper guards, but no a/c.

Your original interior had medium blue bolsters with light blue welts.

Sounds quite attractive.

[Chuck Lutz]

Clear this up for me, please..
I understand that the 4th place digit / letter of the VIN indicates the month. In looking at the book it shows 1-10 for Jan to Oct. Nov and Dec are A and B, respectively. So when mine is a "C" the letters keep going until the start of a new model year and then begin numerically again?

[Barry Wolk]

No, the '57 models were "P" for January through "T" for May.

There was no 1-5 at the beginning as production started in June (6).

[Chuck Lutz]

How odd...
The old Body Parts Catalog I just received has a table showing 1-10 and A&B.
That must be for the build dates in the other numbers after color/ trim etc.
In the LCOC registry there are some VIN numbers like C560????. Would the 0 be 10?

[Barry Wolk]

Yes. There is no "O" for October as it was feared it would be confused with zero ("0").

In the registry they're out of order because the printing company doesn't know that they're out of order. They think that logically 0 comes before 1. Dummies.:rolleyes:

[depmike38]

Barry, if you wouldn't mind I'm curious as to exactly what this all decodes to on my 56. I didn't realize until I saw an earlier post that limited slip was even offered in these cars. 11-1E4L-1220-5. Thanks,Mike

[Barry Wolk]

I didn't know that either. Learn something new every day.

I should post the pages that have all the DSOs on them so you guys can see how special some of these cars are. I'll decipher your VIN when I get home.

[depmike38]

Thanks, Barry. By the way is the limo you have a L-P? The fellow I got the Mark II from has a 67 he's trying to sell. Needs work but it's complete and is supposed to be an old White House car. (Pool car I'd imagine.)

[Barry Wolk]

Nope, mine's not a stretch, it's a splice of two cars. Don't know who made it so I don't care about authenticity when I finish it off the way I like it.

[depmike38]

I'm not sure where he got this one. Many times he'd find two or three in a sale that he liked and just get them all. It's not much of a stretch by todays standards, maybe three or four feet max but it does have a divider and a rear air set-up that leaked and ruined the rear floor area right in the center.

[Barry Wolk]

Luckily, mine has very little rust. I was able to get all the extra doors that I needed off of a donor car.