The M-code Plate:
The M-code Plate was introduced in 1958 and can normally be found on Bay Window buses on the metal partition behind the driver's seat. From 1977 it was fixed under the dashboard to the left of the fuse box. Apparently before 1976 an adhesive sticker was placed just under the M-code Plate to donate the colour and paint code (We have got to check on this). In the first two years of the Bay Window bus the Splitscreen one was used, hence the 68-69 example plate below.
The M-code plate follows the formats set out below and can be read by cross referencing with the table below it.
1968-1969
1970 - 1979
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DD D - Scheduled Production Date
(E) - only sometimes used when buses had to be built elsewhere due to production spike
XX = Destination codes
MMMM = M-codes or Group Codes
TTTT = Model Codes
PPPPUU = Paint(p) and Interior (u), codes
CCCCCCC = Chassis Number
YZ = An aggregate code or Engine(y) and gearbox (z)
WWW - Production codes
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Scheduled Production Dates
The scheduled production date was nearly always the same as the actual production date. The year that the bus was manufactured can be determined by the Model year, which always starts in the August before the beginning of the actual calendar year. Example: A bus built in September 1969 will be from the model year 1970.
Aggregate Codes
The aggregate codes are made up the engine and transmission codes. The engine type is the first code and the transmission type is the second code.
M-codes
The M-Codes meaning "Mehrund Minderausstattung", meaning more or less equipment refers to the difference between the standard model any others built with optional or standard extras. Because every customer had a choice of optional extras and different rules applied to difference export destinations very few Volkswagen buses came without M-Codes.
Destination Codes
The destination codes can be either letters or numbers and represent the export destination for the Volkswagen bus. If no number or letter is present then it means that the bus was destined for the German market.
Model Code
The model code describes the basic configuration of the bus without any M-Codes differences applied. This number will always start with a "2", donating that the bus is a type 2. The second digit will refer to the type of bus it is i.e. Panelvan, Microbus or Combi. Odd or even number third digit refers to whether the bus was left or right-hand drive respectively. The forth digit refers to whether there is an important M-code such as an Ambulance conversion.
Paint and Interior Codes
Three sets of digits are used here. The first two represent the paint colour of the bottom half of the vehicle. The second two digits represent the top half of the vehicle and the last two donate the different interior colours and materials used.
Chassis Number
The chassis number on the M-Plate is the full chassis number without the first two digits that represent the model type. More details can be found in the Class Camper article - Decoding your Volkswagen Camper or Bus Chassis Plate