www.jec.org.uk

I have implemented a VIN checker on the XJS Register. which has allowed me to amend some of the incorrect entries.

You might want to check your own entries, to make sure I haven't corrupted them.

Regards....webman

ps There is a standalone checker here

I have recently bought an XJS V12 5.3

I have tried to find out some details by doing a VIN search and found I was 3 digits short

My VIN is JNAEW3BC105301 which only has 14 characters but a Jag for the EU market should have 17 characters.

I have tried searching t'internet but can only find references to 'grey' imports with 10-12 characters

Can anybody help with the source and translation of my VIN

Fat Freddies Cat

I have found the answer

My extra characters weren't swiped by some VIN thief

I found this link :-

http://www.motorcarsltd.com/information ... 8-1980.htm

Which gives a description of the 14 character VIN's used in 1978 - 1980. My VIN seems to translate OK even down to the vehicle model year being a B which indicates 1981, the year my car was first registered.

Most important of all, position 8 is a C which means it was assembled in Browns Lane. .
I can't tell you the relief. I was starting to worry that it was from Blowns Lane, Taiwan

Panic Over

Fat Freddies Cat

Fat Freddie (Great Handle!)

Welcome to the Forum! I'm glad that you have now allayed your fears on your car. The website that you referenced is quite good but please note that its decoding of VINs relates to American export vehicles. For further info, please see my article on XJS Vins in last months magazine. Hope this helps

Regards,

Paul
XJS Registrar
Jaguar Enthusiasts Club

Thanks for that PTJS1.

Unfortunately I only bought the car and joined the JEC recently, so the September issue was the first magazine I received. The previous owner of the car gave me some back issues but last months wasn't one of them. I will see if I can get one.

By the way, I have been Fat Freddies Cat since 1973. I was named after Fat Freddys Cat, a 70's underground cartoon character. I changed the spelling for copyright reasons and because I am British.

Thanks again

Fat Freddies Cat

Email sent to you today with VIN article enclosed

Regards,

Paul

c.1970's........Freddy, Franklin and Phineas, was it really so long ago?
Thanks for reminding me of some forgotten memories and old times
"Far out and heavy, laid back and solid"
DH Dove

Thanks for the stand alone VIN checker, it is ok if you have a car with 17 characters,(which it reminded me when I entered my VIN),unfortunately for those of us with pre-1978 cars the VIN# is woefully short!
My 1976 coupe has only 8 characters;2W1386BW,so how do we decode these earlier numbers?
I appreciate any help anyone can suggest.
Thanks
Phil

Phil,

As mentioned earlier in the thread, have a look at my article in the August (I think) edition of the magazine for info on pre-81 VINs

If you've got any further questions on the VIN, drop me an email and I'll see what I can do.

Regards,

Paul Sinnott
XJS Registrar
Jaguar Enthusiasts Club

Well i've been searching for the article in my back issues n can I find it????? can I eck

Any other way of decoding a 1978 VIN?

Haven't got my back issues to hand but was pretty certain it was in the August one, or one month either side.

If you still can't find it, drop me a line with your VIN and I'll tell you what I can.

Regards,

Paul

Cheers Paul, i'll have another search (got loads of the club mags all out of order !!!! ) if I have no luck i'll send you my VIN.
Cheers.
Ian.