Can anybody out there decipher my Kiwi friend's 1978 RR Vogue VIN: SALLHABV1AA112895

He lives and breathes LR. Has currently 26 vehicles of all models starting with the second Series1 ever to be imported into NZ. All are runners. When we lived there (only returned Autumn last year) my dear lady being a doctor was mightly keen to drive and keep his ex NZ Airforce RR Ambulance. She said it was more comfortable in the driving seat than the latest hightec Merc 4x4 Ambulances at our local Swiss hospital.

He is building a museum to put them all on display and now wants to ensure that this latest find is indeed Kosher. His local official LR dealer is not too helpful in this quest. I cannot understand why.

Here is a link to the poor quality photo of dash he sent me:

Click image to enlarge

VIN deciphered.
But still no answers re on the aircon unit.
Anyone - any ideas.

There were no “vogues” in 1978.
Introduced as “in vogue” special edition in 1981. See Aronline web site and search “in vogue” mainstream ‘vogue” launched after that as a trim level. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

I’m also surprised by that number format from 1978. Do you know the source that they found for checking older RR numbers?

I am looking for info on this one that I used to own which pre-dated the modern VIN numbers and seems to perhaps be in the 1975/1976 range:


 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel

Bobupndown wrote:

There were no “vogues” in 1978.
Introduced as “in vogue” special edition in 1981. See Aronline web site and search “in vogue” mainstream ‘vogue” launched after that as a trim level.

Seems modern VIN numbers only came in around 1981, so I wonder if it is the 1978 that is wrong rather than the Vogue bit? Also, is the photo reversed? Otherwise the RHD LT95 4-speed element in the VIN is wrong. 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel

Worms there appears to be many curious pieces of info from my friend in NZ. I have just sent to him a file on the In Vogue following on from Bob's suggested link. I hope my mate will then be able to solve his quest. Does he have in front of him an In Vogue, or, has he been the victim of a con job. I hope not as he is a really decent bloke and adores Land Rovers of all models.

I used the info from here which suggests no date info before modern VIN numbers from 1980. Also suggests chassis number is also stamped on chassis (and obviously engine number on engine block). I’m pretty sure, though, that the A date letter was a catch-up, so everything earlier, regardless of actual manufacture date, got an A if it was being given a proper VIN number.

EDIT: Actually, looking at the pic again, the text on the info plate below the heater controls is left justified, so the photo is not reversed and the car must be LHD, so that VIN Number looks to be wrong for a LHD with a LT95 box. There must be a RR Classic forum somewhere where folks would be more knowledgeable? 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel

Bobupndown wrote:

There were no “vogues” in 1978.
Introduced as “in vogue” special edition in 1981. See Aronline web site and search “in vogue” mainstream ‘vogue” launched after that as a trim level.

Bob n Worms - The mystery is solved.

Overnight I received from my mate in NZ an apology that he sent me the wrong VIN. Easy to do when you go out shopping and come back with three Range Rovers! Yes he has bought another ex NZAF ambulance to keep his current one company but they are slightly different in outfittings and years. And he's bought another Vogue - again different years and specs, and finally the jewel in the shopping bag. One of the first 1981 Metallic Blue "In Vogue" 2 door RR Classic. A really sought after collectors piece.

Well that now brings his total Land Rover collection to 30 vehicles. All runners.

My thanks to both of you Worms / Bob for your imputs, and Bob I have sent my Kiwi friend the link to the Aronline site which he said after only a brief look was a superb reference point. He can see himself using that on future shopping trips. 👍

Aronline is a great site, facinating topics about all sorts of British cars.  Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)