Free 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which indicates crucial details about the vehicle, including the country of manufacture, the manufacturer, and the vehicle type. For instance, in the case of a 1986 Lotus Esprit, the WMI is “SCC,” denoting that the car was produced by Lotus Cars Ltd, a prestigious automobile manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. Specifically, this vehicle was crafted in Norfolk, within the city of Gaydon, marking it as a British-made passenger car. The presence of this WMI in the vehicle’s VIN not only authenticates its origin but also aids in the quick retrieval of essential manufacturing data tied to the vehicle, enhancing its traceability and identification in the global automotive landscape.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Lotus Esprit

WMI: SCC

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1989, 2001-2004
• Example VIN: SCCFC20A0GHF60751
• 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 1986 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 1986 Lotus Esprit:

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 1986 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 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Lotus Esprit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Lotus Esprit

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Lotus Esprit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Lotus Esprit VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may provide information about the model year, offering insights into the vehicle’s age, potential market value, and the technology used during that time.
• Manufacturing Location: The manufacturing location, detailed as Hethel in the United Kingdom, can inform users about the country and possibly the city where the vehicle was produced.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can reveal specific details such as the engine model 910 and the presence of a turbo feature, showcasing the potential performance capabilities of the Lotus Esprit.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN may specify the body class as a Coupe, with 2 doors, offering a quick insight into the vehicle’s design and practicality aspects.
• Engine and Performance: Details such as the engine brake horsepower starting from 215 and the presence of a turbo suggest enhanced performance capabilities of the vehicle.
• Safety Features: The VIN may include information about safety features, such as “Active Belts” under Other Restraint System Info, highlighting specific safety equipment integrated into the vehicle.
• Series Information: The mention of Series Turbo F and Series2 3 could provide further identification or special editions that affect the vehicle’s collectibility, specifications, and potentially its value.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Lotus Esprit

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