Gregory Bender

Model identification - frame and engine numbers, special codes

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Created:

Updated:

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I extracted some of this information from Paul Linn, Ralf Brinkmann, and Greg Field on the old Yahoo! Loopframe_Guzzi news group (which has now moved to Groups.io).

As is typical of Moto Guzzi, the following information is applicable to most models. However, it is likely there are exceptions.

V700

VIN on the frame of an V700 sold in Europe.
VIN on the frame of an V700 sold in Europe.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of an V700 sold in Europe.
VIN on the frame of an V700 sold in Europe.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of a V700 purchased in 1967 from Torello Tacchi's dealership in Chicago, USA.
VIN on the frame of a V700 purchased in 1967 from Torello Tacchi's dealership in Chicago, USA.

Photo courtesy of Mike Nicolai.

VIN on the engine of a V700 purchased in 1967 from Torello Tacchi's dealership in Chicago, USA.
VIN on the engine of a V700 purchased in 1967 from Torello Tacchi's dealership in Chicago, USA.

Photo courtesy of Mike Nicolai.

VIN on the engine of a V700.
VIN on the engine of a V700.

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

V7 Special and Ambassador

VIN on the frame of an A-Series Ambassador.
VIN on the frame of an A-Series Ambassador.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the engine of an A-Series Ambassador.
VIN on the engine of an A-Series Ambassador.

Photo courtesy of Dave Curci.

VIN on the engine of an A-Series Ambassador.
VIN on the engine of an A-Series Ambassador.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of an A-Series Ambassador. The top line reads Motorcycle. The next line reads 12259. The bottom line reads DEC to the left then 1968 to the right.
VIN on the frame of an A-Series Ambassador. The top line reads Motorcycle. The next line reads 12259. The bottom line reads DEC to the left then 1968 to the right.

Photo courtesy of J.A. Brewster.

VIN on the frame of an Ambassador.
VIN on the frame of an Ambassador.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of an Ambassador.
VIN on the frame of an Ambassador.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the engine of an Ambassador.
VIN on the engine of an Ambassador.

Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.

850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police

VIN on the frame of an Eldorado.
VIN on the frame of an Eldorado.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of an Eldorado.
VIN on the frame of an Eldorado.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of an 850 GT.
VIN on the frame of an 850 GT.

Photo courtesy of unknown.

VIN on the frame of a 1974 850 GT.
VIN on the frame of a 1974 850 GT.

Photo courtesy of Chad Smith.

VIN on the frame of an 1973 Eldorado Police. The thing I found interesting was the manufacture date of 1972 September, and then stamped underneath is 1973 MOD. It's titled as a 1973. Just another one of those bins to add to the mystery of Guzzi VIN plates.
VIN on the frame of an Eldorado Police. The thing I found interesting was the manufacture date of , and then stamped underneath is MOD. It's titled as a . Just another one of those bins to add to the mystery of Guzzi VIN plates.

Photo courtesy of Richard Mattrass.

VP and star symbols stamped into engine cases

From Paul Linn:

The stars are there to prevent unscrupulous fellows from altering the numbers. The VP some believe stand for Version Polizia and I believe that all floorboard models came stamped with this designation.

VIN on engine block of an Eldorado with VP and star symbol.
VIN on engine block of an Eldorado with VP and star symbol.

Photo courtesy of Paul K.

Frame and engine numbers in Europe

From Ralf Brinkmann:

The leading two letters of the serial number on frame and engine block reflect the Guzzi model:

  • VS 00AA to VS 99SS: V7 700
  • VM 00AA to VM 25EP: V7 Special
  • VP 00AA to VP 58WH: 850 GT
  • VP 11111 to VP 16230: 850 GT California

From Christian Tobler:

In my opinion things must be more complicated. I have access to 3 V7 these days. But only in one case the frame numbers fit to the information you published relying on Ralf Brinkmann. For your information: The authorities in Switzerland are not very precise concerning the description on the V7 version in official papers. The first is an original GT 850. The second is an original 750 Special. The third is a 850 California and the only one I don't know if it is an original California. But here the frame number fits to your scheme.

Gregory Bender's thoughts:

I believe things to be more complicated, too. Each time I think I've found some sort of standardized identification system, Moto Guzzi proves me wrong. There are general guidelines that fit many individual examples, but then plenty of variation amongst and within countries.

More information about 850 GT and 850 GT California numbers

From Annemieke Impens Haarmeijer (BCI, Moto Guzzi specialist since 1982; The Netherlands):

We have a customer's bike in and was trying to find out if it was an old American policebike. The answer is no, thank you for that. But you where also wondering if there was any logic in the frame numbers between 850 GT and 850 GT California. I had a look in our system and think there isn't one.

  • I have some early 850 GT's between and they have VP, 2 numbers, 2 letters.
  • We also have late 850 GT California's, last bit of and . They have VP1*5 numbers*
  • Between that they all follow the same numbering, that goes for 850 GT and 850 GT California. VP and five numbers. No difference. What I did see over the long time I've been doing this, one of the differences is the cockpit and people don't usually switch them. The floorboards just sometimes. The rest is easy to swap.
  • For the 850 T3 and 850 T3 California goes the same.

In the Netherlands they are registered as V7/850GT, to make things easier

Another example are the van Gent V7 a special order of another batch (100 I think) of V7 around . 4 gears!