VIN Numbers on all the windows

General discussion about our beloved Tercel 4WD cars
Post Reply
YoYoTercel
Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:29 pm
My tercel:: 1983 Tercel 4x4 SR5

VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by YoYoTercel »

Did most Tercel's originally have the VIN numbers engraved on all the windows? I just noticed that on my 1983 Tercel, it has the numbers still engraved on every window.

How about yours?
User avatar
Jonymoto
Top Notch Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Wed May 06, 2015 9:39 pm
My tercel:: 1983, DLX 4wd wagon with 4.1 manual gearbox, tow bar). Manual steering. 313,000 kms. Tercel 4WD SR5, 1987, 500,000kms. Other car - 2003 Rav4, AWD, 2l manual, Peugeot 407 Diesel (93,000 miles) in Ireland for use when on holiday there.
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by Jonymoto »

Mine hasn't. Maybe a previous owner had it done in case the car gets stolen.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson - The Dalai Lama
User avatar
Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by Petros »

I have not noticed, though that seems a costly thing to do on a production car. I doubt that is normal. can you post a picture? I would be interested to see what it looks like and compare it with my own Tercels.

Most of the windshields on all cars this vintage around here do not have the original windshield glass, too many gravel roads do them in.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
YoYoTercel
Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:29 pm
My tercel:: 1983 Tercel 4x4 SR5

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by YoYoTercel »

Here are some photos of what I mean. VIN numbers etched/engraved into all windows.
Maybe (just guessing) Toyota might have done this as an option???
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
ARCHINSTL
Goldie Forever
Posts: 6369
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:52 pm
My tercel:: Goldie is a 1986 SR5 attualmente con Weber/also owned the first T4WD in STL in late '82
Location: Kirkwood, a 'burb of St. Louis

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by ARCHINSTL »

Hmmm - not on any of '86 Goldie's windows - just a note describing the type (?) of glass installed.
I don't recall it being an option in late '82 when I bought the '83 SR5 - 'course, that was over 34 years ago ...
Tom M.
T4WD augury?
"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
T.S. Eliot - "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
"Now and then we had a hope that, if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
Mark Twain
YoYoTercel
Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:29 pm
My tercel:: 1983 Tercel 4x4 SR5

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by YoYoTercel »

I'm amazed because I still have the original windshield. Most cars would have been replaced by now.
User avatar
Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by Petros »

I have never seen that on any Tercel, or even any other Toyota for that matter. I have owned dozens, and have seen hundreds. Must be an aftermarket service.

Once people have a car stolen, or even broken into, some of them tend to go overboard with "protective" measures.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
User avatar
Ace
Top Notch Member
Posts: 104
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:57 am
My tercel:: '83 DLX 4WD Tercel wagon 3AC

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by Ace »

VIN etching is a theft deterrent. I hadn't heard of it before but some quick Google research brought up info like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIN_etching
oldfaithful
Top Notch Member
Posts: 118
Joined: Thu May 21, 2015 2:06 pm
My tercel:: 1984 Tercel 4WD

Re: VIN Numbers on all the windows

Post by oldfaithful »

Ace is correct, it's an identifcation number incase of theft. My '83 Tercel 4WD SR-5 that I bought from Texas has it etched in all the glass.
Post Reply