Decoding an NSX VIN

**NSX GT** · 10-12-2007, 21:21

Discussion thread for Decoding an NSX VIN. If you would like to add a comment, click the New Reply button

tk · 10-14-2007, 10:16

Gabrial,

Great work. Saw one typo.

This section confirms to the VIS in ISO 3779.

Should be
This section conforms to the VIS in ISO 3779.

**NSX Prime** · 10-16-2007, 07:08

If you see a minor (or major) error in a wiki article, just click the "edit" button and correct it! That's the point of a wiki system.

**Tom239** · 10-16-2007, 17:31

Originally Posted by tk

Should be
This section conforms to the VIS in ISO 3779.

The page inherited that spelling error from the FAQ page; I didn't notice it when I wikified it.

It's fixed now; thanks for spotting the error.

**Ben** · 09-30-2008, 00:26

After my extensive research on NSX VINs, I think the current convention we have listed for the 8th digit is too complicated. I propose simplifying it.

Before:

2 = 1999 Zanardi Edition (NSX coupe with manual steering, dual airbag, active belt)
3 = 1997+ NSX coupe with power steering, dual airbag, active belt
5 = 1991-1994 NSX coupe with manual steering, driver or dual Airbag, active belt
6 = either 1991-1994, 1996 NSX Coupe with power steering, driver or dual Airbag, active belt or 1997+ NSX-T with power steering, dual airbag, active belt
8 = 1995-1996 NSX-T with power steering, dual airbag, active belt

After:
2 = 1999 Zanardi Edition NSX coupe
3 = 1997-2001 NSX coupe
5 = 1991-1994 NSX coupe with manual steering
6 = either 1991-1994, 1996 NSX Coupe with power steering, or 1997-2005 NSX-T
8 = 1995-1996 NSX-T

Any comments?

**Tom239** · 09-30-2008, 08:04

Originally Posted by Ben

After my extensive research on NSX VINs, I think the current convention we have listed for the 8th digit is too complicated. I propose simplifying it.

I like your suggestion. Although the restraint info is of interest to, say, insurance companies, it is clutter that this page could do without.

Any comments?

Is there a reason why you kept the power/manual steering info in some cases but not others?

If we make this change, we should take "& restraint" out of the description column too.

**Ben** · 09-30-2008, 09:54

Originally Posted by Tom239

I like your suggestion. Although the restraint info is of interest to, say, insurance companies, it is clutter that this page could do without.

Here is my reasoning for each line. Sharp eyes will also notice that I already updated 6 to include the few 1996 Coupes that are out there.

First off, the "active belt" information is not necessary, because all US NSXs have active belts, no matter what year or what trim.

2 = 1999 Zanardi Edition (NSX coupe with manual steering, dual airbag, active belt)

2 was only used for the Zanardi. They are all NSX Coupes and they all had manual steering, so this information is redundant.

3 = 1997+ NSX coupe with power steering, dual airbag, active belt

3 was only used for 1997+ NSX Coupes. They all had power steering and dual airbag, so this information is redundant.

5 = 1991-1994 NSX coupe with manual steering, driver or dual Airbag, active belt

All NSXs had driver or dual airbag, so this information is redundant. The main differentiator here is for the no power steering for the 1991-1994 cars.

6 = either 1991-1994, 1996 NSX Coupe with power steering, driver or dual Airbag, active belt or 1997-2005 NSX-T with power steering, dual airbag, active belt

All NSXs had driver or dual airbag, so this information is redundant. The main differentiators here are:

1991-1994: power steering
1996: coupe vs. T (also has power steering, follows 1991-1994 convention).
1997-2005: NSX-T

8 = 1995-1996 NSX-T with power steering, dual airbag, active belt

All 1995-1996 NSX-Ts had power steering and dual airbag, so this information is redundant.

Originally Posted by Tom239

Is there a reason why you kept the power/manual steering info in some cases but not others?

Because in 1991-1994, there were both power steering and manual steering cars, and "5" and "6" was the differentiator.

Originally Posted by Tom239

If we make this change, we should take "& restraint" out of the description column too.

Yes, correct.

**Tom239** · 09-30-2008, 15:42

Originally Posted by Ben

6 = either 1991-1994, 1996 NSX Coupe with power steering, or 1997-2005 NSX-T

I have the 1995 service manual, and it says 6 is the correct digit for a coupe in that year. So even though none were sold in the USA in 1995, it's safe (and cleaner looking) to say 1991-1996.

**Ben** · 09-30-2008, 15:52

Originally Posted by Tom239

I have the 1995 service manual, and it says 6 is the correct digit for a coupe in that year. So even though none were sold in the USA in 1995, it's safe (and cleaner looking) to say 1991-1996.

I thought about that too, but I prefer to leave 1995 out, lest people get the wrong impression that there were 1995 Coupes. As I recall, you couldn't even order a Coupe in 1995 if you wanted. I'm sure there's a way we could make it cleaner looking though.