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.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8-13
A - American Motors Corp.	Year	Plant	Transmission	Body Type	Class of Body	Series, Engine	Serial 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.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8-13
A - AMC	Year	Transmission	Series	Body Type	Group	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]

1	2	3	4	5	6&7	8	9	10	11
Country	X - American Motors (Canada) Inc.	Type	Engine	Transaxle	Series	Restraint System/Trim Package	Check Digit	Year	Plant

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.

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

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 page • AMC main area