G'day!

Peter Cassidy wrote that the VIN is "stamped into a plate which is rivetted
on.  On US vehicles, it's on the driver's side ...."

Actually, that is where the plate occurs on US-spec vehicles but others have
the plate rivetted to the right side front door pillar between the hinges.  On
Australian-spec vehicles this is called a "compliance plate" and this is
rivetted to the cross member under the dashboard on the right side (driver's
side).  And, to quote Volkswagen themselves, "vehicles for export to certain
countries have no identification plate".

However, the vehicle identification number itself on all German (Hanover) and
Austrian (Graz) made vehicles regardles of market or specification "is stamped
under the vehicle on the rear facing side of front cross member" (quoting VW)
just behind the right side door.  But, on early eighties South African-made T3
Transporters, Pick-ups and Microbuses this number is stamped on the right side
of the forward lip of the engine bay.  I don't know about later South African
models.

On many German and Austrian made vehicles there is also a "Vehicle Data
Sticker" which is located either on the left or right cross member under the
dash.  This sticker (which is easily scratched off) contains the following
data:

1.    Production control number
2.    Vehicle identification number
3.    Model code number
4.    Model explanation
5.    Engine and gearbox code letters
6.    Paint number/interior trim code
7.    Optional extra numbers (M-option codes)

Finally, (!) from 1987 Australian vehicles also have a very small plate
rivetted to the front right side door pillar which gives the "Built Date" which
tells us the month and year in which the vehicle actually left the factory.

Regards,
Simon Glen, Toowoomba, Australia
1992 VW T3 Transporter Syncro van
1969 VW 411

Peter Cassidy wrote:

> >Hi Folks,
> >
> >I'm going to look at my first VW Westy today. Here is my question: Where is
> >the VIN located on a '86 VW Westy??? Is it in plain sight?
>
> Yup! It's visible from the outside of the vehicle on the dashboard. It's
> stamped into a plate which is rivetted on. On US vehicles, it's on the
> driver's side.
>
> For the archives ....;
>
> There's another VIN number, as I discovered while importing my US Vanagon
> into Ireland. It's stamped on the chassis on one of the frame cross
> sections.
> It's almost impossible to find, but it *is* there underneath the front
> passenger
> area, behind the wheel arch.
>
> Use the dash one! 8-)
>
> Pete C
>
> --
> Pete  Cassidy,                              pcassidy@apple.com
> Cork, Ireland                           http://www.iol.ie/~pcassidy
> '88 Wolfsburg "Muriel", '71 Westy         *not speaking for Apple*