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American Motors Corporation VIN Decoding, 1966-1988

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American Motors Corporation VIN Decoding, 1966-1988

Assembled from AMC materials in the National Automotive Historic Collection by Kelsey Wright

We are just starting our AMC VIN decoding section and it is still rather incomplete.

AMC cars, 1966-1969

A thirteen digit vehicle identification number (VIN) plate is welded to the top of the right wheel-house panel under the hood.

12345678-13


A - American Motors Corp.

YearPlantTransmissionBody TypeClass of BodySeries, EngineSerial Number


Year (last digit of year)

  • 6 - 1966, etc.

Plant:

  • K - Kenosha


Body Type:

  • 4 - 2-dr station wagon
  • 5 - 4-dr sedan
  • 6 - 2-dr sedan
  • 7 - 2-dr convertible
  • 8 - 4-dr station wagon
  • 9 - 2-dr hardtop

Class of Body:

  • 0 - 550
  • 2- 880
  • 5 - 770, 990
  • 7 - Rebel, Marlin, "DPL"


Transmission:

  • S - Standard Column shift 3-speed
  • O - 3-speed overdrive column shift
  • A - 3-speed automatic column shift
  • F - 4-speed floor shift
  • C - Automatic floor shift, 3-speed

1970-1980

The VIN is stamped on a metal plate which is riveted into a depression at the upper left corner of the instrument panel and is also printed on a non-removable label affixed to the left front door adjacent to the door latch. There is some question as to whether this system lasted to 1980 on some cars.

12345678-13


A - AMC

YearTransmissionSeriesBody TypeGroup

Engine

Plant, Serial Number


Year:

  • 0- 1970
  • etc. - Last digit of year

Series:

  • 0 - Hornet, Concord
  • 1 - Rebel, Matador 2-dr
  • 3 - Spirit, AMX
  • 4 - Gremlin
  • 6 - Pacer
  • 7 - Javelin
  • 8 - Ambassador, Matador 4-dr


Body Type:

  • 3 - 2-dr "hatchback" or liftback
  • 5 - 4-dr sedan
  • 6 - 2-dr sedan or hatchback
  • 8 - 4-dr station wagon
  • 9 - 2-dr hardtop

Group:

  • 0 - Basic-Hornet, Rebel, Gremlin (2 pass.)
  • 1 - SC/360 Hornet
  • 2 - Basic-Ambassador, Ambassador "DPL"
  • 3 - Gremlin Standard
  • 5 - Javelin, DPL, Gremlin (4 pass.), Ambassador SST, Gremlin Custom
  • 7 - SST, AMX, Hornet, Javelin, Matador, Amabassador, Brougham, Pacer, Spirit, Concord
  • 8 - Javelin "AMX"
  • 9 - AMX
  • P - Police


Transmission:

  • S - Standard Column shift 3-speed
  • O - 3-speed overdrive column shift
  • A - Automatic column shift, 3-speed
  • F - 3-speed floor shift
  • C - Shift Command - Console mounted
  • M - 4-speed manual floor shift
  • E - 3-speed manual floor shift
  • D - 3-speed manual floor shift w/overdrive


The serial number is 100,001 through 699,999 if the vehicle is Kenosha built and it is 700,001 through 999,999 if it is Brampton built.

1981-1988

The VIN was a seventeen digit number, the last 6 digits being a serial number. The model year started at "A" in 1980. This system may have started in 1980 on Eagle Premier, 1981 on other cars. [This section is rather incomplete]

123456&78910 11


Country



X - American Motors (Canada) Inc.

TypeEngineTransaxleSeries

Restraint System/Trim Package

Check DigitYearPlant


Country:

  • 2 - Canada

Type:

  • M - Passenger car


Transaxle:

  • T - AR4 - Auomatic 4-speed column
  • P - ZF - Automatic 4-speed column
  • W - 4-speed automatic, A/C, Power Steering
  • X - 4-speed automatic, power steering

Series:

  • 55 - Premier Intermediate 4-dr sedan
  • 58 - 4-dr Premier


Restraint System/Trim Package:

  • 5 - Normal Roof (LX)
  • 6 - Normal Roof, Cruise Control (LX)
  • 7 - Manual Belt Restraint - Eurosport (ES), Sunroof (LX)
  • 8 - Sun roof, cruise control (LX)
  • 9 - Manual Belt Restraint - Luxury (LX)
  • A - Normal Roof (ES)
  • B - Normal roof, Cruise control (ES)
  • C - Sun roof (ES)
  • D - Sun roof, cruise control (ES)

Model Year:

  • J - 1988

Assembly Plant:

  • A - Bramalea


Engines built for sale in Georgia and Tennessee have an additional, nonrepeating number, on the engine block.

Engine Codes (see AMC engines page)



A
(1970) 199 OHV six, 1V
(1971-1979) 258 OHV six (4.2 liter), 1 barrel
B
(1980+) 2.5 liter four-cylinder
C
(1979+) 258 (4.2 liter) OHV six, 2 barrel
E
(1970) 232 OHV six, 2V
(1971-1979) 232 (3.8) OHV six, 1V
F
(1966-1970) 232 OHV six, 1V
G
(1966-1970) 232 OHV six, 2V
(1977-79) 2-Liter Four, 2V
H
(1966-1979) 304 V8, 2V
J
(1966) 327 V8, 2V (Low Comp.)
(1988) 3.0L (182 CID) V6, MPI, Renault, Gas
K
(1966) 327 V8, 4V (High Comp.)
M
(1966) 232 OHV Six, 2V
(1974?) 304 (5.0) V8, 2V, 210 hp
N
(1966) 287 V8 (low comp.) 2V
(1970-1978) 360 V8, 2V




P
(1966) 327 V8 (low comp.) 2V
(1970-1976) 360 V8, 4V
Q
(1966) 327 V8 (high comp.) 4V
S
(1966) 232 OHV six 2V
T
(1966) 287 V8 (high comp.)
U
(1966) 327 V8 (high comp.) 4V
W
(1966) 327 V8 (low comp.) 2V
X
(1970) 390 V8, 4V, 325 HP
Y
(1970) 390 V8, 4V, 340 HP
Z
(1971-1976) 401 V8, 4V
(1988) 2.5L (150 CID) I-4, TBI, AMC, Gas

Body plate decoding

A unit body number plate riveted to the left front door below the door lock is visible when the door is open. Milwaukee built bodies start with Body Number 000001. Kenosha Main Body Plant built bodies start with Body number 000001. Kenosha Lake Front Plant built bodies started with Body Numbers A-1 and R-1. Brampton built bodies start with body number 700001. This plate includes the model, body, trim, paint code, and car built sequence numbers. The model number identifies the body style. This number when followed by numbers 2-5 or 7 designates the different groups of optional appointment built into the car as original equipment. The numbers on the plate must be listed when any references are made to the body or when ordering parts and material for the body. When reference is made to various parts of the body, both the name of the part and its location are essential. For example, a door, seat cushion, seat back, or fender should referred to as right or left, front or rear.

AAAXBBXCCCXDDDDDDDDX
  • A - 2XM - Passenger car built in Canada by American Motors (Canada) Inc.
  • B - Engine
  • C - Trim
  • D - Model year & serial number
  • E - Primary Color
  • M - PWR ANT - Power antenna
  • N - SR - Sun roof
  • O - LR - Luggage Rack
  • F - Secondary Color
  • G - Interior
  • H - AC - Air conditioning
  • J - CC - Cruise control
  • K - PDL - Remote Fuel Release
  • L - FULL CON - Full console, MINI CON - Mini console
EEXFFXGGGX
HHXJJXKKKX
LLLLLLLXMMMXMMMX
NNXOO


Engine:

  • ZT - 4-cyl. auto
  • JP - 6 cyl. auto

Trim:

  • 55 - 4-dr sedan
  • 556 - Base Trim Level
  • 557 - Eurosport Trim Level
  • 559 - Luxury Trim Level


Primary Color:

  • CA - Pearl White
  • 3D - Sterling Met.
  • CC - Dover Grey Met.
  • P1 - Classic Black
  • CD - Light Baltic Met.
  • CJ - Vivid Red Met.
  • CB - Buff Yellow
  • CE - Dark Baltic Met.
  • CK- Dark Vivid Red Met.
  • BB - Light Driftwood Met.
  • CL - Dark Driftwood Met.
  • CT - Dark Cherry Met.

Secondary Color:

  • P1 - Classic Black
  • CE - Dark Baltic Met.
  • CK - Dark Vivid Red Met.


Interior:

  • BF2 - 45/45 cloth, charcoal
  • BF3 - 45/45 cloth, navy
  • BF5 - 45/45 cloth, cordovan
  • BF9 - 45/45 cloth, brownstone
  • SF2 - 55/45 cloth, charcoal
  • SF3 - 55/45 cloth, navy
  • SF5 - 55/45 cloth, cordovan
  • SF9 - 55/45 cloth, brownstone
  • SV2 - 55/45 vinyl, charcoal
  • SV3 - 55/45 vinyl, navy

Model Codes



Model




Description

Model Description
Rambler Classic (6610 Series) Ambassador (6680 series)
6615 4-dr sedan "550" 6685-2 4-dr sedan "880"
6615-5

4-dr sedan "770"

6685-5 4-dr sedan "990"
6616 2-dr sedan "550" 6686-2 2-dr sedan "880"
6617-5 2-dr convertible "770" 6687-5 4-dr convertible "990"
6618 4-dr station wagon "550" 6688-2 4-dr station wagon "880"


6618-5

4-dr station wagon "770" 6688-5 4-dr station wagon "990"
6619-5 2-dr hardtop "770" 6689-5 2-dr hardtop "990"
6619-7 2-dr hardtop "Rebel" 6689-7 2-dr hardtop "DPL"
Marlin (6650 Series) "Rebel" 10 Series
6659-7 2-dr hardtop 7015-0 4-dr sedan
"Hornet" 01 Series 7015-7 4-dr sedan "SST"
7005-0 4-dr sedan 7018-0 4-dr station wagon
7005-7 4-dr sedan "SST" 7018-7 4-dr station wagon "SST"
7006-0 2-dr sedan 7019-0 2-dr hardtop
7006-7 2-dr sedan "SST" 7019-7 2-dr hardtop "SST"
7303-7 2-dr "hatchback" "Matador" (10 series)
7305-7 4-dr sedan 7315-7 4-dr sedan
7306-7 2-dr sedan 7318-7 4-dr station wagon
7306-7 4-dr sedan wagon "sportabout" 7319-7 2-dr hardtop
"AMX" 30 Series "Ambassador" 80 Series
7039-7 2-dr sports coupe 7085-2 4-dr sedan
"Javelin" 70 Series 7085-5 4-dr sedan "DPL"
7079-5 2-dr hardtop 7085-7 4-dr sedan "SST"
7079-7 2-dr hardtop "SST" 7088-5 4-dr station wagon "DPL"
"Gremlin" (40 series) 7088-7 4-dr station wagon "SST"
7346-5 2-dr 4-passenger 7089-5 2-dr hardtop "DPL"
7346-5 2-dr 4-passenger "X" 7089-7 2-dr hardtop "SST"
"Javelin" (70 series) 7385-7 4-dr sedan "Brougham"
7379-7 2-dr hardtop 7388-7 4-dr station wagon "Brougham"
7379-8 2-dr hardtop "AMX" 7389-7 2-dr hardtop "Brougham"

Note: The seconds varies depending on the year of production. For example, a 0 would represent 1970, a 1 would represent 1971, and so on.

Paint Code Numbers and Corresponding Colors

When reference is made to paint or obtaining paint from local DuPont or Ditzler Paint Dealers, furnish them with the paint code numbers, name and color required. For example: Paint code number P-1A would indicate the car is painted a solid black. Paint code number P-1A-72A would indicate the lower color is black and upper or accent color is P-72A Frost White. The paint color code numbers and color names together with the Ditzler and DuPont numbers are listed in the forepart or the Parts Catalogue for convenience.



Paint Code




Description



Paint Code




Description

Paint Code Description
Exterior Colors Exterior Colors Interior Colors
P-1 Classic Black A1 Snow white Semi-Gloss Finish
P-3 Antigua Red C8 Grasshopper Green Met. N-45 Black
P-15 Brisbane Blue, Metallic D4 Cordoba Brown Met. R-24 Dark Blue, Met.
P-16 Britannia Blue, Metallic D7 Trans AM red R-25 Dark Green, Met.
P-17 Crescent Green E1 Diamind Blue Met. R-26 Red


P-18

Granada Green, Metallic E2 Olympic Blue Met. R-27 Medium Aqua, Met.
P-19 Balboa Aqua E3 Fairway Green Met. R-29 Medium Tan, Met.
P-20 Cortez Aqua, Metallic E4 Tallyho Green Met. R-87 Off-white
P-21 Marquessa Mauve, Met. E5 Pewter Silver Met. Suede Finish
P-23 Samoa Gold, Metallic E6 Fawn Beige R-86 Black
P-24 Caballera Tan, Metallic E7 Copper Tan Met. R-34 Dark Blue, Met.
P-25 Apollo Yellow E9 Mellow Yellow R-35 Dark Green, Met.
P-72 Frost White F1 Blarney Green R-36 Red
P2 Big Bad Blue F2 Maxi Blue R-38 Medium Tan, Met.
P3 Big Bad Orange F3 Fresh Plum Met. R-37 Medium Aqua, Met.
P4 Big Bad Green F4 Daisy Yellow Low Gloss Finish
P39 Matador Red F5 Vineyard Burgundy Met. 70-R-13 Medium Blue Met.
P58 Hialeah Yellow 6P Firecracker Red 70-R-14 Medium Green Met.
P79 Bittersweet Orange Met. 8A Khaki 70-R-16 Brown Met.
P82 Bayshore Blue Met. 8B British Bronze Met. 70-R-22 Black
P84 Commodore Blue Met. 8C Quick Silver Met. 69-R-95, 71R8 Red
P85 Sea Foam Aqua Met. 9A Alpaca Brown Met. 73R27 Black
P86 Mosport Green Met. 9B Olympic White 73R1 Blue
P87 Glen Green Met. 9C Russet Met. 73R3 Tan
P90 Golden Lime Met. 9E Wedgwood Blue 73R2 Green
P91 Tijuana Tan Met. 9H Cumberland Green Met. 72R30 Black
P94 Moroccan Brown Met. 9K Sable Brown Met. 72R1 Blue
P95 Sonic Silver Met. 9L Saxon Yellow 72R2 Green
9M Starboard Blue Met. 9N Morocco Buff 72R23 Tan
9P Bordeaux Met. 9Z Misty Beige Clearcoat Striping Colors
A2 Canary Yellow B4 Charcoal Gray Met. 72R40 Black
C2 Stardust Silver Met. C3 Skyway Blue 72R35 Gold
C4 Jetset Blue Met. C5 Admiral Blue Met.
C6 Surfside Turquoise C9 Hunter Green Met.
D1 Jolly Green Met. D2 Yuca Tan Met.
D3 Baja Bronze Met. D5 Butterscotch Gold
D8 Sparkling Burgundy D9 Wild Plum Met.
A4 Skyline Blue (Light) A5 Midway Blue, Met. (Medium)
A7 Limelight Freen, Met. (Light) A8 Meadow Green, Met. (Medium)
A9 Raven Green, Met. (Dark) B2 Burnished Brown, Met.
B3 Quick Silver, Met. B5 Deep Maroon
B6 Electric Blue, Met. (Bright) B7 Brilliant Green, Met. (Bright)
B8 Mustard Yellow B9 Matador Red (1970 carry over)
C1 Golden Lime, Met. (1970 carry over) G6 Sienna Orange
G7 Alpine Orange G9 Medium Blue Met.
H4 Dark Cocoa Met. H8 Autumn Red Met.
6B Seaspray Green 6C Evergreen Met.
6D Sand Tan 6E Burnished Bronze Met.
6J Silver Frost Met. 6K Limefire Met.
6R Brilliant Blue 6T Nautical Blue Met.
6V Sunshine Yellow

All cars were painted with acryl enamel and have the letter "A" following the paint code number.

AMC engines pageAMC main area


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