How do i understand a VIN plate

[NeilL]

Evening all

Quick question, how do you break down a VIN plate? i'd love to know where my old girl was made etc (no, not the wife)!

Regards
Neil

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi Neil,
All the information for decoding the VIN can be found in the Ford workshop manual.
The build plate (on the opposite side of the slam panel to the VIN) can be decoded on this website.
http://www.fordopedia.org/body-plates/static

It's a very useful site. For some reason, some of the description is in Polish, but you can translate these phrases using an online translating tool.



Andrew.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi Neil,
From the workshop manual the VIN plate decoder:

Box/Description
(Large boxes on the right of the plate, from top down)
1/Type approval number
2/Chassis number
3/Gross Weight
4/Gross train weight
5/Permitted front axle loading
6/Permitted rear axle loading
(Small boxes on left of plate, from top)
7/Steering (Should say A or B, I think)
8/Engine (Should say PR)
9/Transmission (Should say F, I think)
10/Axle ratio (Should say L)
11/ Interior trim
(Boxes at the bottom of the plate from left to right)
12/Type (Should say GECP)
13/Version (Blank)
14/Colour (I think Lacquer Red is L)
15 K.D. Reference (Blank)

That's the VIN, but most of the interesting stuff is on the build plate anyway.

I hope that this has been of some help to you.

Andrew.

[NeilL]

Cheers Andrew

I'll check that out at the weekend.

Regards
Neil

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi again Neil,
You may be interested to know that there should be a paper build sheet from the factory taped to one of the rear seat backrests. It's on the back underneath the carpeted bit. If the seats in the car are original the details on here will match the details on the plate on the slam panel. From memory, I don't think that you have to take the seats out to undo them, there is a bolt under the little carpet cut-out. Worth a look if you wish to confirm the originality of your car.

Andrew.

[NeilL]

Hi again Neil,
You may be interested to know that there should be a paper build sheet from the factory taped to one of the rear seat backrests. It's on the back underneath the carpeted bit. If the seats in the car are original the details on here will match the details on the plate on the slam panel. From memory, I don't think that you have to take the seats out to undo them, there is a bolt under the little carpet cut-out. Worth a look if you wish to confirm the originality of your car.

Andrew.

Cheers Andrew
I'll have a look for it.
Neil

[NeilL]

Hi Andrew



Found the build sheet behind the seat. Wonder why it says Ghia on the top?

Neil

[Andrew 2.8i]

Found the build sheet behind the seat. Wonder why it says Ghia on the top?

Hi Neil,
It's good that's the sheet was there. Is there another sheet there with more info on?
I don't know why it says Ghia. As you probably know, the Ghias weren't made as late as '84 and didn't have 2.8 engines. I'm sure someone can explain that.
I'll dig out my sheet tomorrow and see what it says.

All the best,
Andrew.

[NeilL]

No other sheet behind either seat! i translated it and it all makes sense.
Had another result. I thought my sunroof was only working in tilt mode until i found the little black button where the handle is!! doh! it's all coming back to me slowly! lol

[Andrew 2.8i]

No other sheet behind either seat! i translated it and it all makes sense.
Had another result. I thought my sunroof was only working in tilt mode until i found the little black button where the handle is!! doh! it's all coming back to me slowly! lol

Neil,
That's great news, the sunroof switch catches out a lot of people! It's a bonus if the slide action works properly.

The build date sounds about right for when your car was registered. Now you have the build sheet to put in your history folder!

Andrew.

[NeilL]

Andrew

No, this was the only sheet! i checked behind both rear seat backs which is where this one was.

Regards
Neil

[Bug]

Wonder why it says Ghia on the top?

Well, according to Jeremy Walton's book, the 2.8i was originally based on the idea of taking a Ghia spec and making it sporty. So Ghia trim and instrument specs were used.

Now all we have to do is sit back and wait for Glyn to comment on the 'sporty' bit

[Andrew 2.8i]

Well, according to Jeremy Walton's book, the 2.8i was originally based on the idea of taking a Ghia spec and making it sporty. So Ghia trim and instrument specs were used.

Ah, interesting! That may be the answer that we're looking for, thanks.

Andrew.

[Fordoholic Nick]

the sunroof switch catches out a lot of people! It's a bonus if the slide action works properly

Hi chaps,

Don't know if I should be sharing this but I had my previous capri (1986 2lt Laser) for two years...yes, I did say two years before someone asked me why I never opened my "tilt and slide" sunroof !
"it is open" I told him showing how great it looked tilted up.
Then he flicked a "secret" switch and wound the whole sunroof open.
"wow" I said "so that's why its called a tilt and slide"

Very interesting stuff you guys are talking bout regarding the paperwork showing the history of the car. Don't think I would be so lucky to find anything like that. My current Laser came with Fishnet Recaros already fitted which of course were not standard for that model. I love all that historic paperwork side of things. Nice to have.

Nick

[NeilL]

the sunroof switch catches out a lot of people! It's a bonus if the slide action works properly

Hi chaps,

Don't know if I should be sharing this but I had my previous capri (1986 2lt Laser) for two years...yes, I did say two years before someone asked me why I never opened my "tilt and slide" sunroof !
"it is open" I told him showing how great it looked tilted up.
Then he flicked a "secret" switch and wound the whole sunroof open.
"wow" I said "so that's why its called a tilt and slide"

Very interesting stuff you guys are talking bout regarding the paperwork showing the history of the car. Don't think I would be so lucky to find anything like that. My current Laser came with Fishnet Recaros already fitted which of course were not standard for that model. I love all that historic paperwork side of things. Nice to have.

Nick

Hi Nick
That made me laugh, thanks.

I must admit, i do love the history thing also. Unfortunately i had very little from the previous owner as he never had any! I'm going to try and find out some info from the DVLA etc.

[Andrew 2.8i]

I must admit, i do love the history thing also. Unfortunately i had very little from the previous owner as he never had any! I'm going to try and find out some info from the DVLA etc.

Hi,
I agree that it's great to have as much history as possible with the car, although not essential. With a thirty year old car I personally believe it's not always possible. Where the car has passed through some many different owners through the years, it is perhaps inevitable that some, or all, of the history could become lost. Especially so if the car has been stood up for many years.
The most important thing is what the car is like at the present moment.
Also, as you replace items on the car and service it, keep all the receipts and you will build your own history for the future.

Andrew.

[Fordoholic Nick]

Also, as you replace items on the car and service it, keep all the receipts and you will build your own history

I been doing just that very thing Andrew. History that came with my capri was not that great. It has been through quite a few previous owners before me so its a miracle I got what I did. Shame.

I now keeping EVERY single receipt no matter how small or large...even changing a light bulb

Then one day I will sit down with my wife and share it with her

Nick

[Andrew 2.8i]

I now keeping EVERY single receipt no matter how small or large...even changing a light bulb

Nick, I'm doing the same. Although I'm scared to get the calculator out and work out the total spend so far!

Then one day I will sit down with my wife and share it with her

Every woman's perfect evening in!

Andrew.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Don't know if I should be sharing this but I had my previous capri (1986 2lt Laser) for two years...yes, I did say two years before someone asked me why I never opened my "tilt and slide" sunroof !
"it is open" I told him showing how great it looked tilted up.
Then he flicked a "secret" switch and wound the whole sunroof open.
"wow" I said "so that's why its called a tilt and slide"

That's brilliant! What a confession.

Andrew.

[Fordoholic Nick]

That's brilliant! What a confession.

I felt like a right plank Andrew, but that soon turned to jubilation at my "new" sliding roof

Bet you can guess what the first thing I checked on my current Capri was......

Nick