Sticky #1: VIN Build Date Decoding

The early Panteras didn't have a 17 digit VIN, just 11 digits. I don't know if there's an online copy, but the 1971/74 Pantera Chassis and Body Master Parts Catalog FP-8085 April, 1975" contains the information you're after. It can be purchased from Pantera International - the orange book 2/3 of the way down the website

I'm looking at my copy, and on page 6 it gives the following example:
THPNLS01859

T - DeTomaso
H - Assembled at Modena, Italy
PN - Pantera
L - 1971 (Calendar Year)
S - July
01859 - 1859th unit built

Page 9 covers the year codes...

L - 1971
M - 1972
N - 1973
P - 1974

The month codes for 1974 are:

C - September
D - November
E - December
H - June
J - May
K - October
L - January
M - July
P - August
S - March
T - April
Y - February

Hope this helps

Mike Drew recently posted some clarification on the month code as there has been conflicting information put out in the past;

"The month character seems rather random at first, until you really study it. For some unknown reason, De Tomaso chose to use a 16-character repeating cycle. There is a typo in the Ford shop manual (Group 10, Vehicle Identification Codes) for April of 1971. It shows the letter "S" when in fact it should be "E" (as confirmed in the other publications).

The 16-month repeating cycle is: C K D E L Y S T J U M P B R A G."

So the month is not always the same letter because it's 12 months over a 16 letter cycle. You need to work forwad from 'E' as April 1971 repetitively until you reach your year and letter.

Julian

You could probably also get a Marti report, since it has all the info on it. However, you wont be able to get it by tomorrow. Mine took about 2 weeks if I remember correctly.
Cheers, Tim.

Here are scans from the orange Ford part book. These are from an original parts book, not a copy or repo.

The first page lists serial numbers by year.

John

Second page shows how to decode the VIN on '72 to '74 cars.

Third page shows the VIN codes including month and year. Note that there is no "S" code error for April, '71 in this original parts book.

Thanks guys, you are all legends.

Turns out my car was manufactured in Dec 1973 and first registered as a 1974 model in USA.

I made my appointment this morning and the car is now fully certified and compliant with Australian Design Rules for the year of build. The Engineer was really pleased with the way I had set the car up, seatbelts, lighting, emmisions etc.

Now just to book a registration appointment this week and I'm on the road.

Thanks for all the help.

Did he want to see all the proof of build information?

Michael

Here's the page showing the '71 only door jamb plate. It is different from the '72-'74 plate.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Cyboman:
Did he want to see all the proof of build information?

Michael

Yes, it was actually quite important as Australian Design RUles regarding emissions for 1973 were different from 1974 so being a 12/73 manufacture actually gave me some leeway.

For DeTomaso VIN details (VIN Plate locations, Decoder etc...) see:
http://www.provamo.com/Members...hInfo/VINDecoder.asp

For details on this specific car see:

http://www.provamo.com/Members...927/RTHPNNE06927.asp

Note that the body was VIN stamped at Vignale in December 1973. (When it was completely finished might be a different date.)
When it was first sold new, a later date.

Chuck

Wow! An A pillar mounted fire extinguisher looks dangerous to me. Imagine what will happen whit your girlfriend during a collision. Wake-up!

Thanks Chuck, I've contacted Provamo to register me as the new owner and allow me to update images of the car.

And to Mr. 8 cylinders in Holland, why did you edit your post? Your first effort was very descriptive:

"Wow! What idiot mounts a fire extinguisher on the a-pillar. You must really hate your girlfriend. Imagine what will happen during a collision. Wake-up!"

Your thoughts echoed my own when the car arrived with a nice big shiny fire extinguisher mounted to the A pillar and right in line with my wife's blonde head, so this has now been relocated. I'm sure this makes you happy.

I wonder why I can't see the page which Chuck has linked us to above.

I'm a member of that site yet it tells me:

"Member Share Area access declined. In order to view this page, your account must have 'Share' access."

Publicly referring to somebody as an idiot is not respectful.

And the last thing I want to be remembered for is being disrespectful.

Btw you have a nice piece of machinery

OZGT5
You get 'share' access after you share.

See the private e-mail I sent to you directly,
which explains the procedure. Since this car already has lots of photos from previous contributors your part is easy.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. Email just sent with pic of chassis number and a list of recent works since the car arrived in Oz.

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck Melton:
OZGT5
You get 'share' access after you share.

I'm a sharing and caring kinda Guy!

Going thru the history it looks like you sent in some fresh photos, and are all set up.

If you have any problems, contact me, sometimes the automated process goes awry.

I checked the entry, and that looks like a great car... it seems you bought it for less than it sold previously (and not long ago).

Nice car and
Well done!