Deciphering the McLaren F1 VINs

[cabrio92]

Hello,

I don't find in DA how to read the VIN. Someone can help me please ?

Phil

[Peloton25]

Unfortunately I have never seen a concise breakdown on the VINs for F1s either in "Driving Ambition" or anywhere else.

Here's the basics on VIN numbers for those who have no clue what the 17-digits might mean.

http://www.vehicleidentificationnumb..._overview.html

http://www.vehicleidentificationnumb...in_detail.html

Obviously the specifics as they relate to F1 would be unique, and conflict with some of the data at that second link, such as: 2nd digit = Manufacturer. In the case of the F1s it's an A, which according to that site should equal "Audi". We know that is not correct and the reasoning for that could be related to the third digit being a '9' for manufacturers who produce less than 500 vehicles per year.

Comparing the VINs provided does offer some clues:

F1 - SA9 AB5AC 1 P 1048 002

F1 - SA9 AB5AC 3 R 1048 005

F1 - SA9 AB5AC 9 R 1048 008

F1 - SA9 AB5AC 4 R 1048 014

LM - SA9 AB5AC 9 T 1048 LM1

LM - SA9 AB5AC 4 T 1048 LM4

LM - SA9 AB5AC 6 T 1048 LM5

GT - SA9 AR5BC 8 T 1048 054

Pos. 000 00000 0 1 1111 111
     123 45678 9 0 1234 567

Lining them up like that allows the similarities and differences to pop out a little better I think. Here's the breakdown as I see it by VIN position.

WMI - World Manufacturer Identifier
01 - S = England
02 - A = should ID the manufacturer
03 - 9 = Always 9 for mfgrs who build less than 500 vehicles per year

VDS - Vehicle Descriptor Section:
04 - A - unknown
05 - B = BMWV12
06 - 5 - unknown
07 - A or B or C - A = standard spec; B = GT longtail; C = F1 GTR (VINs supplied only for road registration purposes)
08 - C - unknown
09 - various - Check digit

VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section
10 - P, R & T = Year of manufacture (1993, 1994 & 1996)
11 - 1 - identifies the assembly plant of the vehicle
12 - 0 - Second portion of WMI
13 - 4 - Second portion of WMI
14 - 8 - Second portion of WMI
15 - various - Chassis number sequence
16 - various - Chassis number sequence
17 - various - Chassis number sequence

It would be nice to find out the specifics of positions that I've left as "unknown". The description from that site on positions 4 through 9 states "These 6 characters occupy positions 4 through 9 of the VIN and may be used by the manufacturer to identify attributes of the vehicle."

It would be easy to assume that one character identifies the 6.1L V12, one may relate to the 6-speed manual transmission, one may identify the 3-seater configuration of the cockpit, and one may identify two doors. The fact that all those details would be the same on all the F1 road variants that were ultimately built means there'd be little chance of determining it by assumption or educated guess though.

I will add that I was surprised that the VINs on the LMs don't offer a unique character in the VDS section as I would think the engine was different enough to allow for the VIN to show that. Seems it doesn't...

EDIT: Some clarification on the VDS section of the VINs has been supplied courtesy of M.S.O and now appears above.

>8^)
ER

[cabrio92]

Waouh Erik !

A very good job, BRAVO
Ine the VIN of my S2000, there were digits standing for seats, doors etc, it's true.
It would be cool to find anothers VIN because we cannot be sure on Brunei's F1s, mistakes are always possible.
Otherwise, GTR's VIN would be cool.

I finf strange the letters to say the year of construction. On the S2000, it was "T" for 99/00 then "1" for 2001 or "6" for 2006.

Phil

[hurstg01]

It's good to have him back

[Peloton25]

Thanks guys! It's good to be back.

*** Anyone have a problem with me breaking these last few posts out of this thread and creating a new one dedicated to VIN numbers starting with Phils post asking for help? I don't believe we have had one before.

Also, I don't have evidence of too many other VINs for the overall comparison. I think #013 and #016 are the only ones I can recall seeing any evidence of. I looked them up and they match the pattern for road cars exactly.

SA9AB5AC2R1048013

SA9AB5AC8R1048016

Anyone have any others they can produce from their records?

>8^)
ER

[hurstg01]

^^ sounds like a good plan to me; It'll be another hunt to get the full VIN as well as the chassis plate shots!!.....Add it to your sticky collection too!

I think I have another full VIN somewhere, let me do a hunt.........

[hurstg01]

Thought so, the ex-Mr. Bridger F1 chassis #007


SA9AB5AC7R1048007

And here are the shots of #013


and #016(stamped/scribed rather than plaque shot)

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by cabrio92

Otherwise, GTR's VIN would be cool.

Just looked back and saw this comment. The GTRs should not have actual VINs - those are typically reserved only for road legal variants. Racing cars normally have some sort of chassis number - such as "09R" in the case of the F1s.

>8^)
ER

[roger_ph]

This is the road registration of #051



This is the chassis-No incl. engine-No of #014

[hurstg01]

I thought I might have had one more VIN somewhere, and indeed I did, chassis #014 just like Roger posted

Cheers for the chassis #051 VIN; I thought you may have something to add here

[hurstg01]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

The GTRs should not have actual VINs - those are typically reserved only for road legal variants. Racing cars normally have some sort of chassis number - such as "09R" in the case of the F1s.

>8^)
ER

I'll see what I can find out if I get to see one (hopefully) next month - rest assured I'll take my trusty camera with me.

[mini magic]

GTR's definatley don't have VIN's

[BMW.WilliamsF1Team]

Originally Posted by mini magic

GTR's definatley don't have VIN's

i.e. MCL F1 GTR NONE FIGTR009

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=605473

[Peloton25]

I had a "Duh!!" moment just now...

In looking back at one of the links I provided - the "Eleventh vehicle identification number digit reveals the assembly plant for the vehicle." I added that info to the line in my original post so it no longer says "unknown".

With the F1s, it's always going to be a 1 as they were all assembled in the same place.

>8^)
ER

[roger_ph]

Originally Posted by mini magic

GTR's definatley don't have VIN's

What about the VIN of #11R which Jota 5084 wrote some time ago?

"I got this info when i was looking at the Swedish roadregistry."


Regnr: UAX806 Färg: ORANGE
Fabrikat: MCLAREN F1 GTR
Årsmodell: 1996 Fordonsslag: PB
Chassinummer: SA9AB5CC6T1048R11