How to decode a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which indicates crucial details about the vehicle, including the country of manufacture, the manufacturer, and the vehicle type. For instance, in the case of a 1986 Lotus Esprit, the WMI is “SCC,” denoting that the car was produced by Lotus Cars Ltd, a prestigious automobile manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. Specifically, this vehicle was crafted in Norfolk, within the city of Gaydon, marking it as a British-made passenger car. The presence of this WMI in the vehicle’s VIN not only authenticates its origin but also aids in the quick retrieval of essential manufacturing data tied to the vehicle, enhancing its traceability and identification in the global automotive landscape.
List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Lotus Esprit
WMI: SCC
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
- Example VIN: SCCFC20A0GHF60751
- Manufacturer Name: Lotus Cars Ltd
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Gaydon
- State or Province: Norfolk
- Country: United Kingdom
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1986 Lotus Esprit:
| Known VDS for a 1986 Lotus Esprit |
|---|
| FC20A |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 |
11th Character in the 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1986 Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Hethel | United Kingdom | SCCFC20A0GHF60751 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Lotus Esprit
The final 6 characters in a 1986 Lotus Esprit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1986 Lotus Esprit’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1986 Lotus Esprit is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side of your 1986 Lotus Esprit. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door to examine the door post or door jamb for the VIN tag on your Lotus Esprit. It’s usually located where the door latches when closed.
- Check the front engine bay area for a VIN plate or sticker on your 1986 Lotus Esprit, as it could be mounted on the firewall or other components under the hood.
- Inspect the rear wheel well, especially on the driver’s side, as VINs were sometimes placed there on older models like the 1986 Lotus Esprit.
- Look underneath the car at the front steering chassis of the Lotus Esprit, where the VIN might be stamped onto the frame.
- Review your vehicle registration, title, or insurance documents, as they will contain the VIN for your 1986 Lotus Esprit.
What info can a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may provide information about the model year, offering insights into the vehicle’s age, potential market value, and the technology used during that time.
- Manufacturing Location: The manufacturing location, detailed as Hethel in the United Kingdom, can inform users about the country and possibly the city where the vehicle was produced.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can reveal specific details such as the engine model 910 and the presence of a turbo feature, showcasing the potential performance capabilities of the Lotus Esprit.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN may specify the body class as a Coupe, with 2 doors, offering a quick insight into the vehicle’s design and practicality aspects.
- Engine and Performance: Details such as the engine brake horsepower starting from 215 and the presence of a turbo suggest enhanced performance capabilities of the vehicle.
- Safety Features: The VIN may include information about safety features, such as “Active Belts” under Other Restraint System Info, highlighting specific safety equipment integrated into the vehicle.
- Series Information: The mention of Series Turbo F and Series2 3 could provide further identification or special editions that affect the vehicle’s collectibility, specifications, and potentially its value.
Don’t have your 1986 Lotus Esprit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Lotus Esprit
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 215 |
| Engine Model | 910 |
| Model | Esprit |
| Model Year | 1986 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Active Belts |
| Plant City | Hethel |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United Kingdom |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Turbo F |
| Series2 | 3 |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | SCCFC20A*GH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | SCCFC20A0GHF60751 |
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