Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2014 19:13:43 -0400
Reply-To: TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: DOKA VIN Decoder mystery
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All,
Someone passed me a VIN (WV2ZZZ242FG097858) but I'm wondering a few
things:
1. Position 3: Shouldn't DOKA and SINKA's all be a "1" (pickup truck) as
opposed to a "2" which is for MPV (Multi-purpose Vehicle)?
2. Position 4 says it's a camper from 1980-91
3. Position 5 should be either A, B, or G so it's completely wrong
4. Position 6 is also completely wrong as it's just to show passive
restraints
5. Position 7&8 seem correct as 24 is the code for pickup (which makes me
wonder about my question about position 3.
6. Position 10 for the year could be right as it say's it's an 85. It
does have the round headlights.
7. Position 11 for the assembly plant it was made at should be right
showing as Graz Austria for a Syncro
That ZZZ portion is really the issue. Anyone have an insight or thoughts
on that, I'm all ears.
I did not see the VIN plate or door jamb personally (it's a reapaint
anyhow) so I can't vouch for anything first hand. It's a DOKA (if you
hadn't already seen that) so it's a Canadian or European model and still
has the Kilometer Speedo. Not that this helps but it's a Three door, Bench
seats front and back, and it's gas. Very weird air box looking thing in
the pictures sent to me. I don't remember seeing a metal looking air
cleaner type device over the top of the engine when I was driving those
thing in Germany while I was in the service. Of course, we didn't have
Syncro's either...If you experts care to chime in on that metal device
(reminds me of the old oil bath can on type 3 Fastbacks but flatter and
thinner), please do. Until I can see it first hand, I'm lost on that one.
Pop quiz: Anyone know why VW would put that piece of square over as an
engine cover (and raised up above the rest of the bed-weird) when they
could have just used a metal lid from a tin top? I'm thinking (as I type
this) it couldn't hold the weight but man, if that's the case, the wood
cover was an aberration...
Anyhow, Thanks in advance for all your insights.
TJ