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Decoding the Italian VIN

80K views 127 replies 49 participants last post by  spiderserie4  
#1 ·
Now that I'm actively restoring my little Spider 1.6, I'd like to know a little more about it...like the YEAR. You know, the important things. The paperwork says 1990, local Italians say it's the generation before, the 1982-1989 Spider. I've come to the conclusion it's a Graduate, since those dull, black wheels are being sported like champions, among other things.

I've cross-referenced the VIN number with every website I could find in 4 hours of Googling. All of the say one of two things: it's a 2006 or the number is invalid. I know my ownership paperwork is screwed up, and I tend to believe the Italians over the Americans on this one.

The VIN I have was found under the hood, behind the battery, on a little placard located on the fender. It starts with ZAR, which identifies it as an Alfa Romeo, that much I know.

I email Alfa a while back and haven't heard anything yet. Those who I have spoken with who have used that method told me not to hold my breath. Is there a different VIN decoding site I could use? Am I using the chassis number?

I appreciate all the help.
 
#3 ·
ZAR11500006002694

I just rechecked to make sure.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the VIN!

The 2007 edition of d'Amico & Tabucchi lists this VIN as a Spider 1.6 carrying model designation 115A2. This model was produced from 1989-1992 inclusive and was fitted with engine type number 01563. The 1989 model year chassis numbers were ZAR115000*06000001-ZAR11500*06003160 within which your 06002694 falls. However, this does not mean that your Spider was the 2,694th 115A2 Spider produced as Alfa used these same chassis numbers for the type 115A1 USA 2000 Spider and the type 115A1A European 2000 Spider.

Having said that, it would seem from the above info that your Spider is a 1989 model year. This may of course differ from the build year and the year of first registration.
 
#5 ·
Thank you very much for your help. I couldn't have done it without you.
 
#7 ·
Hi GM,

d'Amico & Tabucchi says chassis 787810 is a 1973 Giulia Super RHD model 10528. These cars were originally fitted with the type 00526/A engine.
The type 01600 engine currently in your Alfa was first introduced in late 1974 for the 11600 Alfetta 1.6. Near as I can tell by the engines 17116 sequential serial number, this engine was made in 1975.

Sending an email with the chassis number to the Alfa Historical Archives in Italy will shed some more light on the subject (at least the build date). Mr. Marco Fazio's email is archiviostorico@alfaromeo.com .
 
#10 ·
Welcome to AO!

I do not have Alfa specific VIN information for models newer than the early 1990s. However, I believe that the VIN on your MiTo follows a standard VIN format which would mean that the 10th character, the letter A, would make the car a 2010 model year. Please click here for information on how to 'decode' a VIN.
To learn the actual build date of your MiTo, you can send an email with the VIN to centrodocumentazione@alfaromeo.com .
 
#11 ·
Hello,

I am writening from Hungary :)
Can you check please the following VIN number: ZAR90700005839793 It is a Alfa Romao 33 from 1992 and I would like buy this car, but before buying I wanna chek the VIN number. I was looking for VIN number decoder in a google, and I found here you :) So I hope, you can help me in this issu :)
Thank You so much!

Best Regards,
 
#12 · (Edited)
Can you check please the following VIN number: ZAR9070000******* It is a Alfa Romao 33 from 1992 and I would like buy this car, but before buying I wanna chek the VIN number. I was looking for VIN number decoder in a google, and I found here you :) So I hope, you can help me in this issu :)
Build date: 25th Feb 1992.
1.3 8v engine
Grey Twill fabric seats.
 
#14 ·
Thank You very much David :)
Is there some website where can I check it, or is it a special software, or what is it where you can check the VIN number? :)
For the recent cars, including yours, it can be done using ePER, which is the Fiat parts DVD.
 
#23 ·
Hey Mr. papajam,

i buyed an Alfa Mito yersterday:) Please can you help me with the VIN. I come from germany und hope that you understand me.
The Number is:
ZAR.955.0000.102.9473

thank you very much

rheinlandfreund: Thumbs:
X6 - ALFA MITO (2008-2011)
145E31001000 - 2V-1.4-16V-78CV-CF5-DIST-2P.GS.6M-I/CE
Engine: 1374261 Vehicle: 00028589 Prod. date: 12/2/2009
 
#31 ·
Hello .

I would like buy un Alfa Mito and I need you to check if is possible this VIN :
ZAR95500001037695

Thank you very much for your time and help .
Yes, please

X6 - ALFA MITO (2008-2011)
145B37001000 - 2V-1.4-TRB-120CV-CF4-PROGR-2P.GS.5M-I/CE
Engine: 1377966 Vehicle: 00036722 Manuf. date: 26/3/2009

CAPACITY (COMMER.) 1370 (CC1.4)
POWER 120HP (KW88)
DRIVING LEFT (GSX)
BODYWORK TYPE 2 VOLUMES (TC2V)
NUMBER OF DOORS 2-DOOR (NP2)
FUEL GASOLINE (CMBBZ)
EQUIPMENT LEVEL PROGRESSION (LL0)
ECOLOGY ECOLOGIC EUROPEAN NORM CF4 LIMITS (ECOCF4)
EQUIPMENT (MARKET) ITALY/CENTRAL EUROPE (AM00)
FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM TYPE MULTIPLE INJECTION (TAMPI)
GEARBOX DESIGN MANUAL GEARBOX (PCC510)
MODEL YEAR NOT FITTED (MYNO)
REAR BRAKES DISC (FPDSC)
TOTAL VALVES 16 VALVE (VLE16)
TURBO EXHAUST FAN TURBO (A/TTRB)
5-SPEED TRANSMISSION Yes (005)
AIR BAG Yes (500)
AIR CONDITIONER 1 Yes (025)
ALLOY WHEEL RIMS Yes (108)
ANTI WHIPLASH FRONT HEADREST Yes (42F)
ASPHERIC MIRROR Yes (53Y)
BACK MAP POCKETS Yes (339)
CAR DYNAMICS CONTROL SELECTOR Yes (5DD)
DRIVER SIDE LOWER AIR BAG Yes (150)
DRIVER SIDE LUMBAR REGULATION Yes (40Y)
ELECTRIC FRONT WINDOWS Yes (028)
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING Yes (112)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CUSTOMISED Yes (4FU)
EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE SENSOR Yes (5BY)
FINISHING KIT 4 Yes (5D9)
FOG LIGHT Yes (097)
FRONT DOME LIGHT UNIT WITH SPOT LIGHT TIMER Yes (54E)
FRONT SEAT ARMREST Yes (132)
FRONT SIDE AIR BAG Yes (505)
HEAD PROTECTION SIDE AIR BAG Yes (614)
HEADLAMPS FOR RIGHT-HAND TRAFFIC Yes (093)
HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE DRIVER SEAT Yes (450)
HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE HEADLIGHTS Yes (048)
INTERMITTENT REAR WIPER SYSTEM Yes (54D)
LEATHER POWER STEERING AND GEAR KNOB Yes (320)
MAT COVER Yes (396)
MULTIFUNCTION DASH DISPLAY PANEL Yes (710)
NUMBER PLATE ZONE 1 Yes (4XA)
ODOMETER Yes (050)
OWNER’S MANUAL - ENGLISH/LANGUAGE Yes (852)
PACK CONVERGENCE C1 WITH MEDIA PLAYER CONNECTION Yes (4J3)
PAINTED EXTERNAL REARVIEW MIRRORS Yes (976)
PAINTED BUMPERS Yes (876)
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF Yes (4DK)
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG Yes (502)
PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR W/ MIRROR Yes (4M6)
POWER DOOR LOCK Yes (228)
RADIO/CD/MP3 PLAYER Yes (41A)
REAR WINDOW DEFOG (CLEAR) Yes (029)
REAR HEADREST Yes (182)
REAR WIPER Yes (101)
REMOTE CONTROL LOCK Yes (008)
REV COUNTER Yes (044)
SMOKERS KIT Yes (989)
SOLID PAINT 4 Yes (5DM)
SPARE TIRE Yes (803)
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE SLOT Yes (389)
SPEEDO Yes (011)
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS (RADIO/PHONE) Yes (709)
TRIP COMPUTER Yes (48F)
VDC CONTROL Yes (392)
WAXING Yes (868)
WINDOW ANTIPINCH SENSOR Yes (52A)
Colors/Fabrics list
PLALM-105 RED DASHBOARD
SEDTS-165/A RED SEAT
 
#32 ·
Don't like rus- forum ?..:D

X3 - ALFA 159 (2005-2008)
140.429.0.0 - BN 4X4 3.2 V6 265CV 191KW C.M. HIGH
Engine: 0001238 Vehicle: 07026749 Manuf. date: 11/4/2006

VERSIONE SPECIALE BN HIGH 4X4 (LV9)
M 3.2 BZ V6 (M61)
V BN HIGH (V5)
Colors/Fabrics list
PAN-402 PANNELLI PORTE PELLE NERA
SED-908 FODERE SEDILI PELLE FRAU NERA
 
#41 ·
Any chance to get details on the VIN below? :) thanks

ZAR93700003159263
One of three

W8 - 147 BZ/DS (2000-2010)
190.456.0.0 - 1.9 JTD 16V 140CV 103KW DISTINCTIVE -5 PORTE
Engine: 3492352 Vehicle: 03244413 Manuf. date: 11/2/2003
W8 - 147 BZ/DS (2000-2010)
190.456.0.1 - 1.9 JTD 16V 126CV 93KW DISTINCTIVE -5P -DEP. FRANCIA
Engine: 3492352 Vehicle: 03244413 Manuf. date: 11/2/2003
W8 - 147 BZ/DS (2000-2010)
190.456.0.2 - 1.9 JTD 16V 136CV 100KW DISTINCTIVE -5P -DEP. BELGIO
Engine: 3492352 Vehicle: 03244413 Manuf. date: 11/2/2003
VERSIONE SPECIALE NO SPECIAL VERSION (LV0)
V DISTINCTIVE (V2)
P 5 PORTE (P5)
Colors/Fabrics list
PAN-402 PANNELLI PORTE POST. PELLE NERA
PAN-674 PANNELLI PORTE C6665 TESS. GRIGIO ANTRACITE; D6665 TESS. ALFATEX NERO
SED-402 FODERE SEDILI PELLE NERA