From RROCA-info
17-Digit Vehicle Identification Number System
In October 1980 the Silver Shadow / Bentley T2 range of motor cars was replaced by the Silver Spirit / Bentley Mulsanne range. The opportunity was taken at the time to introduce a new system of chassis numbering. This was the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.). Some of the models in the old range , i.e. the Corniche, Camargue and Phantom VI, were retained in the new range of cars and absorbed into the new Vehicle Identification Number system.
The benefit of the 17-digit numbering system is that each digit has a purpose and meaning and much can be learned about a particular car simply by studying its V.I.N. For Club publications purposes, however, the full V.I.N. is a little cumbersome, so we abbreviate it to an eight-digit number comprising a three-letter prefix followed by the serial number. The prefix is made up of the third, fifth and tenth digits of the full 17-digit V.I.N. Thus the V.I.N. of, for example, the first Silver Spirit II, which is
SCAZS00A7LCH31001
would become, in our abbreviated form:
ASL31001
This identifies the marque (A = Rolls-Royce), the model/body type (S = standard wheelbase saloon) and the Model Year for which the car was built (L =1990). The example V.I.N. shown in the table below is that of the first Silver Spirit III. The table explains the meaning of each of the 17 digits. Note that though a car may have been built in the closing months of the year preceding that indicated by the year letter, because the Model Year does not correspond with the calendar year, no car is of later build than the year letter indicates.
17-Digit Vehicle Identification Number System
| S | C | A | Z | S | 0 | 2 | D | 5 | R | C | H | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Digit | Code | Description |
| 1 & 2 | SC | World Manufacturer Identifier |
| 3 | Marque: | |
| A | Rolls-Royce | |
| B | Bentley | |
| 4 | "Line": | |
| Y | Camargue & Early Corniche | |
| Z | Phantom VI | |
| P | All other models | |
| 5 | Model/body Type: | |
| S | Saloon (including all standard wheelbase saloons prior to 1987 model year) | |
| N | Long wheelbase (no division) | |
| L | Long wheelbase with division | |
| C | Corniche two-door saloon | |
| D | Convertible | |
| J | Camargue (discontinued 1986) | |
| M | Phantom VI Limousine | |
| T | Phantom VI Landaulette | |
| New codes phased in from 1987 model year: | ||
| E | Bentley Eight (Brooklands from '93 Model Year) | |
| F | Bentley Eight (long wheelbase) | |
| R | Bentley Turbo R | |
| P | Bentley Turbo R (long wheelbase) | |
| X | Silver Spur/Bentley Mulsanne Limousine | |
| M | Phantom VI (including Landaulette) | |
| B | Bentley Continental R (from '92 Model Year) | |
| W | Touring Limousine (from '92 Model year) | |
| Prior to 1987 model year: | ||
| 6 | Engine Type: | |
| 4 | Type L410 engine | |
| 8 | Bentley Eight | |
| O | Other | |
| 7 | Aspiration: | |
| 1 | Carburetters | |
| 2 | Fuel Injection | |
| T | Turbo | |
| O | Other | |
| From 1987 model year: | ||
| 6 & 7 | 00 | Naturally aspirated, fuel injected |
| 01 | Carburettors (Phantom VI only) | |
| 02 | Catalyst equipped | |
| 03 | Turbocharged, catalyst equipped | |
| 04 | Turbocharged, non-catalyst | |
| 8 | Restraint system code (U.S. requirement) | |
| 9 | Check digit (0-9 or X). Used to ensure the VIN is correct and to foil would-be VIN forgers. | |
| 10 | Model Year: | |
| A | 1980 | |
| B | 1981 | |
| Omitting I, O and Q | ||
| N | 1992 | |
| P | 1993 | |
| R | 1994 | |
| 11 | Factory: | |
| C | Crewe | |
| W | Willesden (PVI only) | |
| 12 | H | Right-hand drive |
| X | Left-hand drive | |
| 13-17 | Sequential Serial Number | |