How to decode my VIN
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How to decode my VIN
Is there any reference material that I could use to decode my VIN? I would like to know what all the numbers and letters stand for and also how to tell what number my car is (2006 Shinka). Someone on here had stated that all the Shinkas come with the "bling" so to speak...the rotary accents on the front and rear, mine didn't but I added them shortly after I bought it. Just curious what everything means in my VIN numbers.
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From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
The production number is the last digits of the VIN (see first chart above). The VIN can be found left of center on the firewall, at the bottom behind the windshield drivers side and on the frame of the rear drivers side door (sticker).
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I have the window sticker, I am the first - and only - owner of the car...there is no doubt in my mind that mine is a Shinka...I love the pdf from bull...mine was #1166 of the 1500 that were made...I'm curious as to how many of them were Copper Red...I know that in 2005 the Shinka was only available in the Black Cherry color, in 2006 the Shinka package was an option with any color but the package specific color was Copper Red. Anyone of you guys out there know the breakdown color wise...how many were Copper Red and how many were other colors?
cant say if there is any info i've seen breaking down colors.
but fwiw, i have a 2006 shinka in galaxy grey. VIN verified. oh and w/o NAV oddly enough
I've seen a few advertised as "Shinka's" that were not.
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From: Katy/West Houston
My 2006 Shinka is Copper Red, number 946 off the line, and born on my birthday!! 
I knew there was something about THAT car. I drove from Houston to Cincinnati to pick her up!
I found this on Wiki about the 2006 Shinka colors...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-8#Shinka
I knew there was something about THAT car. I drove from Houston to Cincinnati to pick her up!
I found this on Wiki about the 2006 Shinka colors...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-8#Shinka
Shinka
In 2005, Mazda introduced the first special edition RX-8 called "Sports Prestige Limited" in Japan and "Shinka" in North America. Billed as a more luxurious grand touring model, this Shinka came with Black Cherry exterior color and Parchment leather interior along with subtly chromed 18" wheels. Only 1357 were made in the 2005 model year (though 2150 were scheduled, production never reached that amount). The most significant mechanical change were slightly revised Bilstein shocks and suspension cross member injected with urethane foam to improve ride quality.
Shinka returned for 2006 as a production trim package, now available in Copper Red, Galaxy Grey, and Whitewater Pearl. Only 1500 were made in 2006.
In 2005, Mazda introduced the first special edition RX-8 called "Sports Prestige Limited" in Japan and "Shinka" in North America. Billed as a more luxurious grand touring model, this Shinka came with Black Cherry exterior color and Parchment leather interior along with subtly chromed 18" wheels. Only 1357 were made in the 2005 model year (though 2150 were scheduled, production never reached that amount). The most significant mechanical change were slightly revised Bilstein shocks and suspension cross member injected with urethane foam to improve ride quality.
Shinka returned for 2006 as a production trim package, now available in Copper Red, Galaxy Grey, and Whitewater Pearl. Only 1500 were made in 2006.
Last edited by Livea; Aug 13, 2010 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Additional Information
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I'm not sure there were right hand drive Shinkas at all? They were called something else in the UK (Kiro, Evolve, etc). It's a marketing thing.
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Everyone here in Australia also call them Shinkas.. Mine is Black Cherry Colour 28W with Cream interior Is there anybody who knows how many is in Australia perhaps. Would also love to know how many came here in thay colour ans what nr mine was in the production line
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Everyone here in Australia also call them Shinkas.. Mine is Black Cherry Colour 28W with Cream interior Is there anybody who knows how many is in Australia perhaps. Would also love to know how many came here in thay colour ans what nr mine was in the production line
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For deeper VIN decoding and production-sequence details, the best sources really are the manufacturer archives or enthusiast group. And if you also want to see how the car originally left the factory (options, MSRP, packages), you can pull a digital window sticker using a toyota window sticker lookup here https://carfast.express/en/window_sticker/toyota . It gives a clearer picture of the build info tied to your VIN.
Last edited by coolr; Dec 2, 2025 at 01:16 PM.
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