M-plate explanation

M-plate - Explanation

M-plate.

Every Type 2 that was made in West Germany had an M-plate fixed inside. This plate reveals a lot of information about what the bus looked like when it left the factory. It also tells to which destination the bus was delivered. There are two different spots where the M-plate can be found. It depends on the model year where the plate is fixed:

1968-1976		On metal wall behind left seat in cabin. This is the drivers seat in Left Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles and the passenger seat in Right Hand Drive vehicles (RHD)
1977-1979		Under the dashboard, left of the fuse box, on top of the fresh air duct. This is a rather dark and often dusty place so it's hard to read the plate. A flashlight and a piece of cloth to wipe of the dust might help.

The plate is called 'M-plate' because it tells which option extra's were delivered on the bus. These extra's are identified by codes: the "M-codes". The name doesn't cover the full load of information that the plate gives. it also shows the chassis number, the original paintcolour, the interior trim colour, the planned production date, the (export)destination, the model code and the engien and gearbox that were fitted.

Example

Below is an example of how to read an M-plate.

m-plate

1st line
	62 116 450	Chassis number 6 - model year 1976 2 - an extra number to make a difference whith 1960ties chassis numbers which consist of 1 digit less than the 1970ties chassis numbers. 116450 - serial number The full chassis number is actually made by putting the first two digits of the model code in front of the chassis number which is written on the M-plate. In this case the chassis number would be 2662 116 450. The '26' stand for 'VW Pick-up'

2nd line
	123	M-code: Suppression equipment for radio reception
	226	M-code: Retaining cables for tailboard
	508	M-code: With vent window in rear passenger door and in the side window of the passenger compartment.
	528	M-code: Convex rear view mirror, outer, right
	697	M-code: Continental tires

3rd line
	960977	Paint and interior 9609 - 9: it is a special paint instruction ('Sonderlackierung'), nr 609: army green. 77 -Canyon brown interior, material: leatherette.
	FS9	Group of M-codes 032 - M-code: Lockable cap for fuel tank 094 - M-code: Lockable engine lid 102 - M-code: Rear window heating
	H86	Group of M-codes 050 - M-code: Dual circuit and hand brake control light 507 - M-code: Ventilation windows in cabin doors
	008	M-code: Delivered without battery
	046	M-code: With side turn signals

4th line
	13 5	Planned production date week 13, day 5 (= Friday), 1976: 6th of March, 1976
	7497	Code for production planning
	HO	Destination: The Netherlands ('Holland')
	2650	Model: 26 - VW Pick-up 5 - Crew cab, Left Hand Drive, Passenger door right 0 - Standard version
	11	Aggregate: 1 - Type 1 engine, 1600cc 1 - 4-speed manual gearbox

Vincent Molenaar
last update: 16.12.2005