Understanding the North America DC2 VIN

[coolhandluke]

VIN Walkthrough and Breakdown
All production DC2's in North America were issued a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN.) A VIN consists of 8 sections, each providing information on the vehicle. This post will try to concisely indicate which specific VIN items are pertinent when researching.


Dummy VIN Example:
JH4DC231XXSXXXXXX

Legend:
-Bold characters indicate details specific to year or individual Dc2 Type R
-None-bold: Consistent throughout all DC2 Type R


Section 1: Manufacturer, Make, and Type of Vehicle
JH4
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. ACURA Passenger Vehicle

Section 2: Line, Body, and Engine Type: INTEGRA 3-door/B18C1, B18C5
DC2

Section 3: Body Type and Transmission Type: 2-door Hatchback/5-speed Manual
3

Section 4: Vehicle Grade (Series): Type R
1

Section 5: Check Digit
Alphanumeric, 1-0/A-Z

Section 6: Model Year
V: 1997
W: 1998
X: 1999 CDM
Y: 2000
1: 2001

Section 7: Factory Code: Suzuka Factory in Japan
S

Section 8: Serial Number, six digit numeric
XXXXXX


Want to learn more? Reference:
Helm, 1-2 & 1-3

Revision history:
12.21.22: Updated thread title and add information to reflect this information only pertains to North American DC2's.

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

So section 5 doesn't mean anything in particular?

[Klasse]

Anyone know of the equilivlent decoding of a JDM VIN? I have never found an online decoder that works properly.

[jayhaire]

Anyone know of the equilivlent decoding of a JDM VIN? I have never found an online decoder that works properly.

I have some info and will try to dig it up.

[Klasse]

Anyone know of the equilivlent decoding of a JDM VIN? I have never found an online decoder that works properly.

I have some info and will try to dig it up.

Thanks!

[Klasse]

[/quote]
I have some info and will try to dig it up.
[/quote]

Any luck on that? Thanks

[jayhaire]

I have some info and will try to dig it up.
[/quote]

Any luck on that? Thanks
[/quote]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm out of town until Saturday but will finish compiling what I have afterwards. I have a variety of JDM items, including parts catalogs (both paper and electronic). Their 10-digit VINs are not as robust, but they usually can tell you the rough period of when they were made.

[GeHonda]

So section 5 doesn't mean anything in particular?

Section 5 is the checksum, and it is a calculated value based on all of the other digits.