Datsun VIN Decoder

[Cruzn620]

Any good places to find a datsun VIN decoder? I have one for my 620 in my service manual, but I now have a guy wanting to know what he is looking for on his B-210. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[datsunaholic]

Not really. The codes vary, but they all take the same form starting in the early 60s.

 

A B210 will have a code similar to:

 

KHLB210329116

 

The VIN will either be 12 or 13 letters long. The 1st digit in the example, "K", means hatchback. No K means sedan (both 2 and 4 doors used the same VIN codes). HOWEVER... before 1976 the "K" did not appear in the VIN at all, only in the body code, so sedans and hatchbacks would have a common VIN on early ones.

 

The second digit "H" stands for both the A13 and A14 engines as far as I know. A "P" would be a 1.2L engine, which wasn't sold in the US.

 

"L" stands for Left Hand Drive. No "L" means right hand drive.

 

B210 is the chassis code.

 

The first digit after the chassis code is the year code, but it's not consistent. Zero means first year, 1 means second year, but some digits may be skipped or even used over 2 years.

 

 

What is he looking for? In the US, B210s only had 2 engines and the 1.3L was only used in 1974. There were only 2 body styles- sedan and coupe, and only later years did the VIN differentiate.

[Cruzn620]

He said it was something to do with it being salvaged many years ago and he's trying to get the title fixed on it. I'll forward the info on to him. thanks 'Holic!!

[ggzilla]

Take a look at this:

 

 

Datsun chassis codes

Edited February 22, 2025 by ggzilla
update images per site requirements

[Cruzn620]

Thank You!!!!

[datsunaholic]

Just note that none of the letters after the car code (B210) will be in the VIN, only in on the original dealer tag (sometimes it was on the emissions sticker).

[Outlaw720]

How about for 720 cause im pretty sure my trucks not a hatchback

[ggzilla]

VIN numbers were not used until 1980. Before that Datsun used Chassis Number and Engine Number. The B210 codes above are not part of a VIN.

 

Of course the B210 codes won't apply to a 720 -- nor any other Datsun.

 

In 1980, USA Datsuns switched to VIN, you can find it on the engine compartment ID plate as "Chassis No." Because this is a standardized VIN, the decoder on Wikipedia works for it:

 

 

Your 720 should have a similar plate unless it is a 1979 or early 1980 (made before 1/1/1980)

Edited February 22, 2025 by ggzilla
update images per site requirements

[Jared smith]

I am looking for a right hand drive Datsun z that I want to run the vin and know about it.  It’s a weird vin #

[ggzilla]

That is not a VIN number. It is the car serial number

[ggzilla]

GS31

G: long wheelbase (2+2)

S31: minor update to the Nissan S30 (Fairlady Z) 1977-1978 for the Japan Domestic Market

 

VIN based on 1979 & 1980 ISO Standards was the first international standardized vehicle identification number system. Prior to this, manufacturers used their own system. Nissan called their earlier IDs the "Car Number" and was just the model and serial number as shown in your photo. Since the 1981 calendar year, only the standardized VIN has been used in North America and Europe. Australia switched to VIN in 1992

[Larry556]

I have a 1967 Datsun 521 but they started marking the 521 in 1968 but it has the 521 front end. Does anyone know what year and model it is and how to decode the vin

[Larry556]

The vin is L521-113017

[datzenmike]

 If you ignore the front end sheet metal the '67 model year began production in October '66 of the previous year with car number 019,001  and ended in September of '67 with car umber 160,000 having produced 140,999 units. If we assume 11,479 units per month then very late May or early early June '67. This is an assumption, monthly production numbers vary.

 

[ggzilla]

Dual-headlights started October 1966

 

A 521 produced in late 1967 should be titled as a 1968, but mistakes have been known to occur by the state dot/dol/dmv, mostly when re-titling a vehicle

On 8/6/2025 at 9:13 PM, Larry556 said:

I have a 1967 Datsun 521 but they started marking the 521 in 1968 but it has the 521 front end. Does anyone know what year and model it is and how to decode the vin

 

yep, it's a 521

On 8/7/2025 at 10:08 AM, Larry556 said:

The vin is L521-113017

 

ad

[Larry556]

What about the vin decoder 

[ggzilla]

There is no VIN decoder until the 1980 Datsuns. Prior to that, the Nissan "Car Number" was just the model number + a six-digit serial number

1 hour ago, Larry556 said:

What about the vin decoder 

 

L521-113017

L: left-hand drive

521 Datsun Model Series

113017 serial number

[datzenmike]

Even with 4 headlights the front sheet metal changed between the 520 and 521 starting May '68? This is when the front amber parking lights moved from the fender corner to front facing. You say the front end is a 521 and I agree but also that it's a '67 so this is at odds with itself. 

 

1/  L521 113,017 is the VIN for the front sheet metal front end which as stated, started no earlier than May '68. That's why I stated that if you ignore the sheet metal 113,017 would have been a 520 made in or around late May '67.

 

2/  If we go by 521 production numbers then (the front  L521 sheet metal only, not the frame) was made between October '68 #038,555 and June #180,000. 141,445 total over 9 months or roughly a 15,716 per month. 113,067 would have been made roughly in February '68.

 

 

Look on top of the frame rail,  to the rear of the right side engine mount, beside the starter...

 

 

Use wire brush it will be rusty.  

 

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh275/Daniel_521/SN521Close.jpg

 

 

[ggzilla]

are you thinking someone put different sheet metal on the frame? In other words the car number on the frame might be different than car number on the front sheet metal

number on frame

 

 

[ggzilla]

Yes

 

1965 April: 520 introduction
1966 October: 520 4-eye (4 headlamp) introduction
1968 May: 521 minor change introduction with J13 engine
1969 October: 1970 model year introduction with J13 engine
1970 April: L16 engine introduction for PL521 (USA)
1972 Feb: Datsun 620 introduction

SERVICE BULLETIN MAY 1968 VOL. 92 Introduction of New Datsun Pick-Up Model 521 Series May 31, 1968

 

1970 model year introduction

 

 

 

[datzenmike]

1 hour ago, ggzilla said:

are you thinking someone put different sheet metal on the frame? In other words the car number on the frame might be different than car number on the front sheet metal

number on frame

 

 

 

I am. The frame # will solve this. 

 

The one above is a PL521 394,191. Feb '70 was car # PL521 350,001 to May '71 # PL521 587,101 so roughly made in May '70.

 

38 minutes ago, ggzilla said:

Yes

 

1965 April: 520 introduction
1966 October: 520 4-eye (4 headlamp) introduction
1968 May: 521 minor change introduction with J13 engine
1969 October: 1970 model year introduction with J13 engine
1970 April: L16 engine introduction for PL521 (USA)
1972 Feb: Datsun 620 introduction

SERVICE BULLETIN MAY 1968 VOL. 92 Introduction of New Datsun Pick-Up Model 521 Series May 31, 1968...

 

 

I get the first PL521 with L16 engine as starting production July '69 of the previous year. The J13 ceased production June of '69 so there was no overlap. The L521 stopped and the PL521 began end of June '69.  

[ggzilla]

11 minutes ago, datzenmike said:

I get the first PL521 with L16 engine as starting production July '69 of the previous year. The J13 ceased production June of '69 so there was no overlap. The L521 stopped and the PL521 began end of June '69.  

The USA Datsun 521 parts catalog agrees with you

 

 

The Service Bulletin 1970 April says on the first inside page says something confusing about the serial numbers

Quote

 

FORWARD

 

The DATSUN PICK-UP (Model PL521 series) has been equipped with the L16 engine (97.3 cu. in., Max. BHP 96HP) from the '70 year model.

 

This new power unit not only satisfies the regulations on the exhaust emission control but also has a lot of extra power.

 

Because of all this and many others, the DATSUN PICK-UP has become a very popular model with its established reputation. The new model has a new passenger-car-like radiator grille, bigger and safer side marker lamps, lock-knob type door locks and mechanical stop lamp switch. All these extra items have increased the security and safety of the car enormously.

 

These extra items along with the present reputated specifications, have made the PICK-UP a luxurious reliably commercial car.

 

The NEW DATSUN PL521 SERIES began from the following chassis numbers.

PL521-350001

PL521TU

PL521TN

PL521TUV

PL521TUH

 

The modification on the Radiator grille and the Side Marker Lamps, however, have been carried out on the following chassis number and after.

PL521-255905

PL521TU

PL521TN

PL521TUV

PL521TUH

 

 

[datzenmike]

All my info is for north of Mexico basically. 

[ggzilla]

Yes, the service bulletin is for USA and Canada, the countries where the PL521 was sold

 

I'm wondering if they got the serial numbers mixed up, because it seems like PL521-350001 can't be the beginning? when PL521-255905 exists

 

Also wondering what these chassis codes mean

 

PL521TU

PL521TN

PL521TUV

PL521TUH

T = 4-speed

U = USA?

N = Canada?