How to decode a 1989 Lotus Esprit VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Lotus Esprit VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, providing insight into where and by whom the vehicle was made. It’s a crucial component of a vehicle’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), typically representing the first three characters. The WMI code for Lotus Cars Ltd, a revered manufacturer known for its high-performance sports cars, is SCC. This code indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in the United Kingdom, specifically in Norfolk, by Lotus Cars Ltd. The VIN, which includes this WMI, offers vital information such as the vehicle type, model year, and manufacturing details, essential for registration, insurance, and historical research.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Lotus Esprit
WMI: SCC
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
- Example VIN: SCCFC20A1KHF62503
- 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 1989 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 1989 Lotus Esprit:
| Known VDS for a 1989 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 1989 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 1989 Lotus Esprit VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 Lotus Esprit VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H | Hethel | United Kingdom | SCCFC20A1KHF62503 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Lotus Esprit
The final 6 characters in a 1989 Lotus Esprit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Lotus Esprit’s VIN below:
How to find a 1989 Lotus Esprit’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 Lotus Esprit is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1989 Lotus Esprit. The VIN is likely visible through the windshield on a metal or plastic plaque.
- Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Lotus Esprit. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when closed.
- Look under the hood of your Lotus Esprit. The VIN might also be engraved on a plate or sticker located on the firewall, the front end of the engine bay.
- Inspect the rear wheel well. Sometimes, for the Esprit, the VIN might be stamped above the tire.
- Check the vehicle title, registration, or insurance papers for your 1989 Lotus Esprit, as they should list the VIN.
- If documentation isn’t handy, inspect the chassis of the car. Often, VINs can be found stamped onto the frame itself, which might be visible from underneath the vehicle.
What info can a 1989 Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, as seen with the 1989 Lotus Esprit.
- Vehicle Make and Model: The VIN provides crucial details about the make and model, showing that the vehicle is a Lotus Esprit, offering insights into its design and performance characteristics.
- Engine Specifications: From the VIN, specific engine details can be gathered, such as the engine model 910 and the fact that it is turbocharged, indicating a performance-oriented engine with an output of at least 215 horsepower.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN can inform about the vehicle’s body class, indicating that this Lotus Esprit is a coupe with 2 doors, which helps in understanding the vehicle’s size and style.
- Manufacturing Details: It includes information about the manufacturing location, revealing that the vehicle was produced in Hethel, United Kingdom, offering clues to its production origin which could affect availability and parts.
- Safety Features: The VIN suggests the vehicle’s safety features, like the inclusion of active belts and manual seat belt type, providing a glimpse into the safety standards and systems equipped in the vehicle.
- Additional Features: The VIN might also offer details on additional features such as the presence of a turbocharger, further defining the vehicle’s performance capabilities and enhancing its appeal to certain buyers.
Don’t have your 1989 Lotus Esprit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Lotus Esprit
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 215 |
| Engine Model | 910 |
| Model | Esprit |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| 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*KH |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | SCCFC20A1KHF62503 |
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