BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

My Vin number reads xxxFExxxxxxxxxxxx

does everyone have this? Is this just random or has mazda named the 8 the "FE"? Everything i read on the JDM sites state our car as being the "SE".

rx-8_or_?

Well ... you could check Rosenthal Mazda's site and look at the bulletins: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

We're all FEs!

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

SWWEEEET. i don't know why more people are not as excited as i am.

I wonder if the next rx7 will be set as an FF.

xxup

Even down here...

sferrett

Hence you hear references to 3rd gen RX-7's as FDs and 2nd gens as FCs. You don't hear as much of 1st gen's being referred to as FB's though since I think their VIN designation changed after the first few years to FB...

There are likely others who could give a much more detailed description - in fact I'm sure a search would bring up some threads on it since I'm certain it's been discussed before.

I'm not sure why, but for me "FE" just doesn't roll off the tounge as well or inspire the same kind of imagery as FC or especially FD does...

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

that's because SE3P is the *actual* chassis code for the RX-8

'FE' is just a VIN #, which may differ in different countries.

SE3P is the universal designation for RX-8.

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Awww... ic ic. They should of kept SE in the vin then... and left the F series for the 7s

RX-Hachi

FF just doesn't sound right, especially for an FR (front engine/rear drive) car. So maybe they'll skip it and call the new 7 an FG. Or SF, or SD, or ? Who knows...

Yup, we all have FE in our VIN. But the car is known as the SE (for SE3P) in the JDM circles. The original RX-7 was the SA (for SA22C) btw, but many call it the FB.

MintyFresh

What (where) are these JDM sites you're all refering to? i have just bought a late 03 one and would dearly like to learn more about it

RX-Hachi

Just do a Google search on "SE3P", or better yet, do the search from Yahoo.co.jp (if you can read Japanese). Tons of these JDM sites will appear.

xxup

VIN is international... ISO 3779 is the standard that relates to this concept. Been in place since about 1978, but I remember early versions of the VIN from VW in 1975.. Seems that the US has their own twist on the standard..

Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle...ication_Number


J = Region (Asia)
M = Country (Japan) -> actually it is JM that gives Japan Mazda

FE103 is supposed to be the model specific information

Mazdax605

The 79-80 RX-7 was the SA22C,but from 81-85 it was know as a FB.

neofreak

iTrader: (1)

only here.

In Japan all first gens are refered to as SA22Cs.

SoSaRX

In Europe instead of FE we actually have SE in our VINs

RX-Hachi

Agreed. If one checks Japanese articles or websites, you'll never see any mention of "FB", just SA22C for all first gens. "FB" seems to be an American or western nick name, just the way some want to call the SE3P an "FE".

I used to own a 1st gen back in the '80s, but have no recollection if the VIN had FB in it. I'm sure some 1st gen fanatic will enlighten me.

Mazdax605

There is indeed a FB in both of the VIN's of my RX-7's.The FB is only on the 81-85's I believe.