TheSamba.com :: Bus identification

Beginning in October, 1958 a vehicle id plate was placed behind the right-hand front seat. This plate can tell you the exact date of manufacture of your vehicle, factory options, export destination, paint and upholstery colors, and model number and layout.

Before October, 1958, there was no M-code plate but a body number was stamped behind the front seat. Although the body numbers are sequential, it is basically useless. To find out more information on your early Bus, you need to request a VW Birth Certificate

Chassis plates
The Chassis plate is located in the engine compartment, on the right side.

Beginning in November, 1963, the Chassis plate was located on the right side of the overhead air vent

VIN stamping locations The VIN number was also stamped into the body. First, in the area over the transmission cradle, then underneath the VIN tag in the engine compartment and finally, in October, 1958, the VIN stamping was moved to the area beside the battery tray. See below for stamped in VIN locations over the years
1954	1957	1963	1967

DD M Y Date of manufacture in day/month/year format - year was removed in 1965 and placed as the first digit of the VIN #. Month is 1-9 for Jan. - Sept., then O, N, D for Oct, Nov., and Dec. respectively.
XXX XXX XXX XXX M-Codes - optional extras
XX Export Destination (missing for German-delivered vehicles)	XXXY Model Number/Paint finish	XXYYZZ Lower Color/Upper Color/Upholstery	XXXXXXX VIN Number

Example
07 2 Bus manufactured February 7th
425 002 025 114 425 = Seat belts and mounting points 002 = Unknown 025 = 6 pop-outs and US bumpers 114 = 6 opening side windows
UA Los Angeles, CA	2412 241 = Deluxe Bus, 9-seats, Left-hand drive 2 = Paint finish - Nitro-lacquer finish	424271 42 = Lotus White lower paint 42 = Lotus White upper paint 71 = Aero Baltic	6101003 6 = 1966 101003 = VIN #

Chassis plates

VOLKSWAGENWERK AG MADE IN GERMANY
Typ: XX 2-digit model type
Heizg. Typ 2/255A Pruiz ~~~S45 This line refers to the heating system and its conformance with German laws Heizg. is the german abbreviation for Heizung (Heater) Type 2/255A is the heater system type The ~~~ symbols are the German equivalent of the road certification test Pruiz, an abbreviation for Prufzeichen, refers to the certificate type. S45 is the certificate number.
Fahrgest.-Nr. XXXXXXXXX is the chassis or VIN Number
Zul. Gesamtgew. kg. 2070 Maximum gross weight of the vehicle	Baujahr Build year (does not commonly appear after 1954)
Zul. Achslast vorn kg. 950 Maximum axle weight - front	hinten kg 1150 Maximum axle weight - rear