Looking for MKIV expert advice

[MkIV Lux]

quote:Originally posted by TLegate
   .....
   If the sequence of vin numbers were continued, 1159 should be: SA9AK3020GAO17159. But it's not shown, so cannot be proved.
   
   

   
   Trevor, what is your logic to alledge that the 9th and 10th position should be 0G (zero Gee)?
   The 12th position is a 0 not an O (zero not Oscar)!
   
   Cheers
   Constant

[TLegate]

Not much logic - the entry is hand written and I took a 'best guess' based on the way the '0' and 'O' were written. I happily stand corrected and send apologies for any confusion
   
   (Plus the first letter 'S' looks very like a '5')

[MkIV Lux]

no problem Trevor,
   
   I have not made up any logic yet for the 9th and 10th position, except that 9th is numerical and 10th is alphabetical

[Rob.Hendriks]

Little help with decoding VIN#SA9AK3020GAO17159 (as an example)
   
   SA9 = World Manufacturer Identifier
   AK302 = Vehicle Attributes, in this case AutoKraft 302cid
   0 = is a check digit used in decoding the VIN and is generally not used by low volume manufacturers
   G = Model year
   A = Plant code
   017 = manufacturer identifier, this is an assigned code and should not change
   159 = last three digits from the chassis number
   
   So if the car has the chassis#AK1159, Trevor may well be correct in assuming the VIN# is sequential, with perhaps the model year being the only other variable

[MkIV Lux]

Rob,
   thanks for the explanation.
   Looking at the registered VINs Model year G stands for 1986, H being '87, J for 88 ... (I, O, Q are are prohibited for avoiding confusion).
   The check digit (9th position) however does not seem to follow any rational ?

[Rob.Hendriks]

Constant, the check digit is totally random with low volume manufacturers. The only reason I know anything about this, was that it was a major exercise to get the VIN decoded for my car and accepted by the authorities
   
   Explanation:
   The check digit for a VIN is obtained through a number of mathematical steps. Each letter used in a VIN has a corresponding number value, while numbers stay the same. Therefore, the VIN becomes a string of 17 numbers (with a space in the ninth position, where the check digit goes). Each position in the VIN has a weight - the number of times that digit is multiplied.
   For example, the weight of position one is eight. A computer multiplies the number in position one is by 8. Then it multiplies all 16 numbers by the appropriate weight for their position in the VIN, adds the results together and divides that result by 11. The remainder becomes the check digit. If the remainder is 10, the check digit is X.
   
   Example:
   Using our theoretical VIN for AK1159 the check digit should be 4
   

[MkIV Lux]

Thanks Rob,
   All very scientific and clear now. 4 being the 4/11 remaining in the fraction. We (continentals) have to refrain from our usual numerical thinking here.
   Cheers
   Constant

[RVW1612]

Dear Laurent,
   I have a 1986 MkIV registered in France (was a painful process).
   Contact me on rvonwedel@gmail.com
   Rudiger

[1985 CCX]

Ok, finally have a green flag from SAAC as the new registrar in the states and the old SAAC records given to me which I hope to merge with UK group to allow a new publication of an AC AKL registry.
It would be similar to the new cool spring and buggy spring registries.
....Stories
.......Specification
.......,,,Model options
Maybe interview with Ford engineer that worked with Anglis on these cars.
Then detail updates to previous big book.
Idea is digitize so we can reprint and keep cost reasonable every 3-5 years.
Goal is by year end....