The M-code plate, which is short for 'Muehrausstattung code
plate' meaning Option code, is a plate screwed on behind the passenger side seat
near the bottom starting in October of 1958. Previous year buses did not have a
plate, although the factory assigned codes can be obtained from the factory.
It contains all information such as paint codes, upholstery delivery port and etc.
In Nov63 a plate was added to the overhead fresh air vent. This
plate is NOT your m-code plate. It contains your correct full 9 digit VIN # and a few other bits
of info like weight, heater verification and etc.
In Aug1964 the M-code plate style changed. These new mcode plates had a different
dating style in the upper left corner of the plate. (only had day and month) Also even
though the VIN# was now 9 digits, the mplate only contained a 7 digit number, which was the
last digit of the year, and the last 6 digits of the VIN number, ie; 5114123
=1965
XXX114123 Also typically, the paint color was called out by name, instead of the
L-number or the 2digit L-number reference designation.
Here's the standard layout for most plates behind the back seat
(click underlined items for details)
Some plates are a bit strange with missing information or not
following the standard format, but there are basically two styles of Mcode plates.
First lets look at the Oct58=>Jul64 style.
The information contained on the plates is as follows:
Let's decode the plate below-
(pic taken by Sam Williams)
21 12 2
21st of December 1962
428 070 071
428=Unknown, 070=Tarp and bows
for pickup, 071= drivers side chest door
UP
Portland, USA
261
SC with belly door on right side.
No paint finish specified
WHITE
An all white SC. No upholstery called out.
1048637
VIN#
Here's the Aug 64 and later style: Notice it is about the same, except its missing the year from the upper left
corner,
which has been added to the beginning of the shortened VIN number in the lower right
corner (number 7). Also this plate just happens to be missing the delivery port Code in
the lower left corner which means it wasn't going anywhere- Made for Germany.
(pic taken by david mayes)
22 6
22nd of june
056 057 065
056=Steering lock 057=Wood
Slats not fastened to bed 065=Inscribed axle load limits
Blank code=
Made for home market (Germany)
2612
261=SC with belly door on right side.
2=Nitro-lacquer paint finish
383883
38=Velvet green (top),
38=Velvet green (bottom)
83=Mesh Grey Upholstery
7142060
7=1967
142060=Last part of VIN#
An ironic note about the above mplate, is that it is from David
Mayes Tipper
truck, yet the plate makes no mention of the conversion even though it was done by
VW, except for the slats not being fastened to the bed since it was a tipper.
If you have any questions about your Mplate, I would be happy to
try to help you in solving it. Drop me an email
