How to decode a 1987 Lotus Esprit VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Lotus Esprit VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. This code is crucial for officially recognizing the maker and the country of origin. For instance, Lotus Cars Ltd, a renowned British car manufacturer known for their exquisite passenger cars, is assigned the WMI “SCC” for vehicles manufactured between 1986 and 1989, including the 1987 Lotus Esprit. This prestigious sports car, with VINs starting “SCC,” was crafted in the city of Gaydon, located in Norfolk, United Kingdom, marking it as a quintessential example of British automotive engineering and design. The WMI not only aids in vehicle identification but also provides insights into the vehicle’s lineage and heritage.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Lotus Esprit
WMI: SCC
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
- Example VIN: SCCFC20A1HHF61019
- 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 1987 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 1987 Lotus Esprit:
| Known VDS for a 1987 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 1987 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 1987 Lotus Esprit VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 Lotus Esprit VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Hethel | United Kingdom | SCCFC20A1HHF61019 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Lotus Esprit
The final 6 characters in a 1987 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 1987 Lotus Esprit’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Lotus Esprit is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Lotus Esprit. You can usually see the VIN by looking through the lower corner of the windshield.
- Examine the driver-side door post when you open the door of your 1987 Lotus Esprit. The VIN is often located on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Check your Lotus Esprit’s engine block. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
- Look at the car’s firewall within the engine compartment. The VIN might be stamped onto a plate or directly onto the firewall.
- Inspect the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card for your 1987 Lotus Esprit, as they should list the VIN.
What info can a 1987 Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?
- Model Year: Decoding the VIN can provide insights about the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating it as a 1987 model and offering valuable information about its age and potential market value.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may reveal detailed information about the vehicle’s specifications, such as the Lotus Esprit being a Turbo F series with a 910 engine model producing at least 215 horsepower, showcasing the depth of information available about engine and performance characteristics.
- Body Class and Doors: VIN decoding can provide insights into the vehicle’s design, potentially indicating it as a Coupe with 2 doors, which can help understand the vehicle’s style and functionality.
- Plant Information: The VIN can uncover manufacturing details, potentially indicating that the vehicle was assembled in Hethel, United Kingdom, providing valuable information about its production origin.
- Safety Features: Decoding the VIN might reveal built-in safety measures, such as the existence of manual seat belts and active belts, which can give a glimpse into the vehicle’s safety equipment.
- Turbocharged Engine: The presence of a turbocharger may be detailed in the VIN, showcasing additional performance features that enhance the vehicle’s capability.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can specify the general classification of the vehicle, potentially identifying it as a Passenger Car, which can help in recognizing the intended use and regulatory classification.
Don’t have your 1987 Lotus Esprit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Lotus Esprit
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 215 |
| Engine Model | 910 |
| Model | Esprit |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| 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*HH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | SCCFC20A1HHF61019 |
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