re: 64 or 66 VIN Law/Regulations???

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Thanks for the help Kim! 

This statement (from Allpar.com) is the only indication that there was a US law with a VIN format:

"Chrysler used two VIN systems. The first, used from 1966-1980, has 13 digits..."

Why else would AMC use the same number of characters over the EXACT same time period? I've seen a copy of the law (on the web), just can't find it on the web now!! It specified some information that had to be included, but left several positions for maunfacturers use... I think. Locations weren't mandated, and I don't recall what info was mandatory (obviously year and engine). Comparing a Chrysler, Chevy, and Ford VIN with an AMC: they have in common year, engine type (but not size), model, body style, and assembly plant (AMC uses the first digit of the serial number for plant, cheating in a way). Some sources have 11 characters for Ford and 12 for Chevy. The number of characters may not have been designated, just 10-13 characters. I recall there were no more than 13 characters stated in the law, may not have been a minimum, just the required info -- which would be a minimum of 10 since a six digit non-repeating serial number was required as the last six. I just hate doing t!
 his by memory and comparison, that leads to making assumptions! Would like to see some sort of document or web site. 

The stuff from MSX Prime is the same confusing drivel repeated on several sites. It makes no sense, unless they are talking specifically about Japanese cars before 1981. I don't know for sure if the US law required foreign cars to use the 66-80 VIN format or not. The 81 and later one is well known because it is a WORLD standard recommendation from the International Standards Organization (ISO). That body can't make anyone comply, but those recommendations were made law in the US, and most countries comply with the ISO standard. 

Even some law enforcement agancies have a hard time dealing with anything other than a 17 character VIN now. I read about one guy's ordeal with getting his car registered. He brought it in from another state and beacuse the VIN plate wasn't riveted on or consisted of 17 characters, the car was impounded! A couple digits were stamped while the rest were raised (stamped from back), which also raised suspicions. But that's how Chrysler did it in some early 60s cars. The guy eventually proved his case with the help of a Chrysler club. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)

original message---------------------------------------------------------

Subject: re: 64 or 66 VIN Law/Regulations???
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 10:15:13 -0500


Not so sure that the 13 character was a law, based on the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Identification_Number

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/General/vin.htm

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/enginecodes.html

http://users.erinet.com/30561/moparvin.htm

Regards,
Kim Bueler '75 Gremlin X 360 V8


> Does anyone know how to find the regulation or law that required a 13 
character
> VIN? I had all that info on my laptop. I managed to search the net and find it
> in Korea, but the HD blew up on that one and took everything with it! I'm 
about
> to search a couple backup CDs I made, but don't think I put the info on a CD
> before leaving. I've tried Google and another search engine -- now all I can
> find is 17 character VIN info, and some garbage about 10 digits and such that
> has been repeated overthe net that I know for #$%% sure is wrong! Yet 5-6 
sites
> quote the same thing (none give a source). I have the actual law for the 17
> character code, that's easy! I know for sure that it was sometime around
> January 1966 (or very late 1965) that the 13 character VIN was required to be
> used. I have the serial number (not VIN) data for AMCs for early 1966
> production, and have actually seen an early 66 model that didn't have a VIN 
but
> one of the serial codes. But I can't find the details on the !
>  13 character VIN! I did find a couple other manufacturers, so I know there's
> no formal order except that the last six have to be the consecutive number, 
and
> the year and engine have to be identified somewhere in the number. But I 
REALLY
> want to see the actual US specs again!! Any ideas??
>