VINs didn't exist before 1954, and weren't standardized until 1981. So how do we provide specs for a 1967 Mustang? The answer is manual archival work.
The Pre-1981 Chaos
Before standard VINs, manufacturers used "Chassis Numbers." These varied wildly in format:
- Ford: 11 digits (Year, Plant, Body, Engine, Unit).
- Ferrari: Simple sequential numbers (e.g., #0024).
Our Digitization Process
We are digitizing thousands of original factory brochures, service manuals, and dealer order guides. By mapping old chassis numbers to these digitized records, we are building the world's first API-accessible database for pre-1981 vehicles.
This allows classic car insurance providers and auction houses to pull accurate engine specs and options lists for vehicles that previously required a physical inspection.