Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

VIN Decals in door


tii74

Recommended Posts

3 hours ago, Glen Karr said:

I may be misunderstanding the perforation part of the discussion.  My whole decal is perforated but not the MFG date nor the ViN.  Both are gone. Must have been ink that went away.

Glen

 

Glen,

 

When I refer to "perforations," I'm referring solely to the use of tiny round holes to define the manufacturing date and the VIN.  I am NOT referring to the intentional "self-destructive" design of the stock, implemented to deter swapping of VIN stickers.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Edited by Conserv

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, tii74 said:

My '74 tii decal (top picture) has the VIN and date perforated.  07/74

 

Excellent!  How'd you like to provide a little...sharper photo?

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Steve

 

 

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Steve Tochi said:

For Steve's extensive database he's keeping, here's my "b" sticker, manufacturer date of 12/19/73.  Date and vin# perforations stamping are barely visible.  

Door VIN.jpg

 

Whoa, Steve!  Excellent and surprising data point!

 

So, in addition to ink and perforations, there’s stamping!  So, chronologically, here’s my straw man, a starting point in figuring out the development of the U.S.-only door-mounted VIN stickers:

 

REVISED FOR STEVE AND GLEN'S DISCOVERIES IN THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF  "CSI '02"!

 

1.  When did the Federally-mandated VIN sticker first appear?  I’m accustomed to seeing them on 1972 models.  I can’t recall one on my early 1970 (September 8, 1969).  What are your cars showing?

 

2.  The first style of marking the manufacturing date and VIN appears to have been ink, but the ink was fugitive and faded over time.

 

3.  Ca. December 1973, BMW appears to be stamping the numbers to avoid the fugitive-ink problem.  But... the stamping method may have proven to be non-compatible with the self-destructive stock used to discourage VIN sticker swapping.

 

4.  The stamping seen on Steve's December 1973 tii is also present -- when examined carefully in raking light -- on Glen's April 1974 tii.

 

5.  And, by July 1974, BMW appears to have moved to using a series of tiny round perforations to define the manufacturing date and VIN.

 

6.  1975 and 1976 models appear to have used this system of tiny round perforations.

 

So let’s see what holes we can poke in this chronology, or what additional information we can add!

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Edited by Conserv

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK.  Got down on my knees and tried the old CSI trick.  Shined the flashlight beam across the decal. Steve Tochi is correct.  The stamping was almost iimperceptible except on one number in my VIN, the eight (8) which I could barely make out.  Whoever was in charge of stamping did not do a very good job on mine or over the years the imprint has relaxed.  Now that I think about it I do remember seeing at least the VIN many years back.

Best,

Glen

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

42 minutes ago, Glen Karr said:

OK.  Got down on my knees and tried the old CSI trick.  Shined the flashlight beam across the decal. Steve Tochi is correct.  The stamping was almost iimperceptible except on one number in my VIN, the eight (8) which I could barely make out.  Whoever was in charge of stamping did not do a very good job on mine or over the years the imprint has relaxed.  Now that I think about it I do remember seeing at least the VIN many years back.

Best,

Glen

 

Boy, you guys are fanatics!  What do you tell your wives, "Hon, I'm going out to the garage to look at my VIN sticker in raking light!"  ?

 

"Sounds dangerous, be careful, Dear!"

 

(I updated the chronology above to encourage more nuttiness!)

 

Thanks and best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited by Conserv
  • Like 1

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Cruzr said:

The build date and VIN are stamped on the sticker I posted earlier. The dark ink as in Jim's sticker has faded over the years.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

The VIN is just barely visible near the bottom.

  • Like 1

Jim Gerock

 

Riviera 69 2002 built 5/30/69 "Oscar"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not to stray too far from this topic....

When I eventually get to painting my 74 Tii Polaris including the golden jambs, would like opinions on:

1) taping the sticker then painting

2) remove, paint then buy a repro which may not be a "b" sticker

3) try the super human task of removing the perforated sticker, and gluing it back on after paint. (if fails, see option 2)

4) remove sticker, paint jambs and don't worry about it.

5) don't paint car, leave money in kids college fund.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Steve Tochi said:

Not to stray too far from this topic....

When I eventually get to painting my 74 Tii Polaris including the golden jambs, would like opinions on:

1) taping the sticker then painting

2) remove, paint then buy a repro which may not be a "b" sticker

3) try the super human task of removing the perforated sticker, and gluing it back on after paint. (if fails, see option 2)

4) remove sticker, paint jambs and don't worry about it.

5) don't paint car, leave money in kids college fund.

 

Well, Steve, the kids will (someday) appreciate if you choose 5.  But I actually chose option 1 for my '76, but solely with respect to the VIN sticker -- all other stickers came off.

 

Why?  First, because my VIN sticker was in perfect condition (first photo).  Second, because my car was in a batch of 2,000+ 1976 U.S. 2002's -- manufactured from February-ish to May-ish 1976 -- that never received a metal VIN tag on the right front inner fender.  Missing that metal VIN tag from new, I figured I better "stand by" that original door sticker.

 

For my tii, however, the answer might be different (second photo)....?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

IMG_0602.JPG

IMG_2355.JPG

Edited by Conserv

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t

  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...