¿Cual es tu VIN? (en inglés)

[vbraque]

Lo siento por los que no entendais ingles, si alguno quiere entretenerse en traducirlo con el google...
Pero siempre he dicho que la version original es lo que hay de verdad.

Vehicle Identification Numbers - VINs
Often the question of how to identify a certain car arises, and obviously this should be fairly easy, when using the VIN. However that requires some knowledge of how these are constructed. Based on information I recieved from Roy Gillard (UK Matra club, and professional Espace mechanic) I can pull out my own Espace as an example:

My car's VIN: VF8 J63 5 25 0 R 338260

VF8  Vehicle France Matra (VF1:Renault, VF3:Peugeot, VF7:Citroen, VF8:Matra)
J63  the Model type
(in Renault terminology B = 5 door hatch; C = 3 door hatch; D = coupe; E = convertible; J = people carrier; (so Scenic is also a 'J'); K = estate; L = saloon;)
5  engine type (2 = petrol carburettor; 5 = diesel; 6 = petrol injection; 7 = petrol inj. unleaded type; 8 = V6 petrol)
25  gearbox type (manual 5 speed)
0  one-leter for model year * 
R  build plant (R = Romorantin K = Dieppe)
the six digit number this is the actual production number.

* - the one-letter model year follows (at least initially) the same scheme as other Matra cars, - i.e.
7 = 1977, 8 = 1978, 9 = 1979, A = 1980, B = 1981, C = 1982, D = 1983, E = 1984


Year letters continued for first Espace:
F = 1985 G = 1986 H = 1987 etc.


Assuming 'I' was not used because of possible confusion with a '1' (one) J would be 1988, K would be 1989, L would be 1990, M would be 1991 N would be 1992, O would be 1993, P would be 1994, etc.


However, Renault do not use the letter O in chassis numbers because of confusion with a 0 (zero) and that digit in various chassis numbers for a variety of Espace from 1989 to 1994 ALL have a zero! So it appears the year letter was dropped in 1989 or maybe 1988, and a zero substituted. Since the year is supposed to be included in the 17 digit format they must have another way of proving the date of manufacture - possibly from the six digit production number at the end?