Deciphering the McLaren F1 VINs

[Peloton25]

Yes, I would certainly agree with you Roger. In fact, I was trying to be funny with that comment, but I guess it did not translate well.

>8^)
ER

[roger_ph]

Now I have a picture of the chassis number of #071. Here it is:



Roger

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

SA9AB5AC0W1048071 - assumed

Interesting... I had selected a "W" for the year as this car was built in 1998:

071 - 1998, 61st car built, Historic Orange

However it seems the VIN was assigned in 1997 based on the "V" in the position for the year. I had suspected this could be the case and wonder how many others are like this...? I guess we will need photographic proof on most of the later cars in order to get the VINs right.

Anyway, thanks for the help Roger!

>8^)
ER

[Sauc3]

Today I went to see #009 and went with the special request of Greg to capture the VIN plate.
He showed this example: which I took to be standard.
Today I took this image: showing the same structure, but with an extra "entry" if you will.

Does anyone know what this extra set of numbers and letters (511O1T for #009) might mean? And why they're not on #013's plate?
Also does anyone have images of any of the other cars' VIN plates both for further reference and extra clarification?

[hurstg01]

Great pic!

You might find some answers / pictures here. As for the number difference, is it something to do with the Australian import law?

[Peloton25]

To save some redundancy on the discussion of VINs, I merged Sauc3's thread into this one with his permission.

I haven't a clue what the importance of the "511O1T" on #009's VIN plate means, but as I noted to Sauc3, the one Roger shared from #071 has even more nonsense listed there. The only other one I think we have reference of is #007's, but it is blank in that section like chassis #013's.

While I was here I also updated the VIN List in this thread to show #009's VIN is now confirmed by photo source. Thanks Daan!!

>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

Chassis #003 now confirmed by photo courtesy of Symbolic Motorcars. This is the first time I have seen a tag like this and it appears to be embeded in the epoxy layer of the carbon fiber in one of the passenger footwells at the kink where the floor kicks upwards towards the dash.



The VIN List has been updated to reflect this.

>8^)
ER

[hurstg01]

Chassis #065, courtesy of the posting by jayfive

[Peloton25]

A friend reminded me of this LM3 photo which doesn't appear to be included here yet, however it was originally shared back in 2004 by drewwtms.



Unfortunately his flash, coupled with the weave of the carbon and the polished resin did a number on the clarity of the VIN as you can see. I figured it was still salvageable for our purposes here so I played around with the brightness and contrast levels in Photoshop. I feel pretty confident about being able to confirm - SA9AB5AC2T1048LM3 - which had previously been labeled as "assumed" on the list in post #28.

Here's an altered version of the image for those who think I am crazy. I actually had to raise the levels up and down several times in order to be confident about each character. Also enlarging the critical area was quite helpful. I have presented the top half at the middle of the range of adjustments I was making. The bottom half is pretty self explanatory I think.



I marked #065 as confirmed by photo as well, since I hadn't done so after the earlier post.

>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

Quite a long time since this thread has seen an update, but chassis #047's VIN is now confirmed thanks to Roger.

It's worth noting again that while #047 was the first F1 completed in 1996, it turns out that the VIN actually had an 'S' in the 8th to last position and not the 'T' I had assumed, making it a 1995 model year car. This makes sense with the long lead time to assemble the F1 chassis, the VINs must have been assigned at the start of that process. It's also a reminder that the 'assumed' VINs in the lists of post #28 should all be considered suspect.

If anyone has any additional road car VINs they are able to supply a reference to, that would be wonderful!

>8^)
ER

[Le Man]

I know this is April 1st, but what I am writing here is not some form of joke!!

So just bringing this thread back up to cover the VIN plate in a bit more detail. This plate of #071 posted by our very good friend Roger shows the full entry normally shown on a VIN plate.



Although we have covered most of the VIN no, I shall go through the rest of the text.

E11*93/81*0033*01 Is the Type Approval Certification number and the breakdown is as follows,


Examples of EC type-approval numbersThe EC whole vehicle type-approval number that complies with framework directive 70/156/EEC consists of the letter ”e” and the country code of the Member State that issued the approval, the number of the last directive amending the framework directive, the four-digit serial number of the approval and two-digit serial number standing for the extension. The constituents are separated by an asterisk. The extension number is not included in the vehicle manufacturer’s plates. Example of the structure of an EC vehicle type-approval number: e17*98/14*0020*02
1. Approving country, e.g. e17
2. Directive, e.g. 98/14
3. Approval number, e.g. 0020
4. Extension number, e.g. 02
Depending on the country and case, the directive number remains unchanged or changes in conjunction with the extension. Example of the structure of an EC type-approval number for a component, system or separate technical unit: e11*72/245*95/54*0136*01
1. Approving country, e.g. e11
2. Number of base directive, e.g. 72/245
3. Directive based on which the approval has been issued, e.g. 95/54
4. Approval number, e.g. 0136
5. Extension number, e.g. 01
.................................................. .............................

The lower four "KG" lines are maximun permissable weights and are as follows,

1484KG........ Maximum permissable gross laden weight.

0000KG........ (Maximum permissable gross laden weight including caravan/trailer ) If we ever see an F1 owner towing a caravan, he will get reported to Top Gear, for a piano attack!!

687KG......... Maximum permissable Front Axle weight.

867kg......... Maximum permissable Rear Axle weight.

.................................................. ..........................................

As for this odd number line, on this plate posted by Sauc, I need to do some more research


.................................................. ..........................................

Finally, just to add. On the rear of the seat is an E11 (United Kingdom) plate, this I believe denotes approval for the head restraint system ie, integral with the seat, I hopefully will be able to confirm this at a latter date .

[Peloton25]

Great update to revive this thread Le Man. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Le Man

IE11*93/81*0033*01 Is the Type Approval Certification number

Is it possible with this number to get a copy of whatever documentation it matches up with?

As for this odd number line, on this plate posted by Sauc, I need to do some more research

I know what this relates to now, but can't for the life of me recall what I did with the reference. When I find it again I will share what I know.

>8^)
ER

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by Le Man

Finally, just to add. On the rear of the seat is an E11 (United Kingdom) plate, this I believe denotes approval for the head restraint system ie, integral with the seat, I hopefully will be able to confirm this at a latter date .

I covered the E mark on the seat here, but its left open for more detail on the "I-0083" portion if you can learn anything additional.

>8^)
ER

[Le Man]

On a slightly different note, but something of real intrigue, Was that someone (Payso I think) posted pics of a plate that showed numbers that read like this.

GTR 04
GTR 09
GTR 11
Etc,etc. Does anyone have the pic? I had a quick look back. but could not place it

I found, by accident that this plate has nothing to do with the F1 GTR, But is a plate regarding the "GLOBAL TECHNICAL REGULATIONS" a sort of world wide type approval, check out this link.

http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29...l?expandable=2

[Peloton25]

I seem to recall he pulled it from the forum way back when, so perhaps it was not supposed to be shared?

I can tell you it doesn't say "GTR" on it anywhere. At the top it has the "F1 McLaren" logo. Then it has the "E11" in a circle on the left side. Then two columns of numbers - 10R, 11R, 12R, 13R, 14R - in the first column, and then - 21R, 26R, 28R, 39R, 48R - in the second one. To the right of each of those is an area that has been shaded over in MSPaint so you can't see what was written next to each one. Really strange thing - not sure it actually relates to what you've mention there.

>8^)
ER