VIN numbers are an interesting topic. Owosso Motor Car Company hand painted VIN numbers on the frame below the seat. This is Pulse #100. Notice the last three digits.
Since the Litestar was built in Scranton, Iowa and Owosso, MI and the Pulse was built in Owosso, MI, there are different ways of the serial numbering system and how that number was attached or painted on each vehicle.
As we research VIN numbers regarding these vehicles, we have found different VIN numbers, but most contain 17 numbers/letters. And most contain the last three numbers which represent the serial number.
It is also believed that Scranton Litestars began with #101 through #115. Scranton Litestar #4 has a VIN number ending in 102. So the manufacturer's control number did not always correspond with the VIN number.
Owosso Litestars began with #001 through #021 and Owosso Pulse - #022 through #347.
However, because some vehicle owners either lost their titles (and their state issued its own replacement VIN number) or the state in which they reside, made the owners re-title them, which results in non uniform numbers which brings into question the real serial number and year of manufacture of that vehicle.
Pulse #324 and #328 both have these small plaques attached by 2 rivets and are located above the dash on the drivers left. This can be easily seen through the windshield.
In one case the vehicle was built in 1982 and titled in 1984. So we continue to learn more about VIN numbers as we find vehicles and do comparisons.
It is thought that there were about 21 Litestars made in Owosso before Stan Leitner filed suit. The fact that Owosso changed the name of the vehicle would not necessarily reflect a change in the VIN number.
Mark Frost's VIN is "LS.......113"
So, it would seem that Scranton have started their serial numbers
with 100 and Owosso started their serial numbers with 001.
Below....Pulse #218 ......Nero Plastics business card laminated inside body
Confusing?? That's what we are here for. We need everyone to report their VIN numbers on that survey so that we have this information at hand when these questions come up.
And we ask that all owners, if possible, remove the seat and see if Owosso painted their VIN number on the frame. This should be the VIN that the factory assigned to your unit.
If you have addtional information regarding VIN numbers, please e-mail the webmaster.
There are a few subtle differences throughout production. Also one or two re-numbered Pulses. A couple of mis-numbered Pulses, probably during transposing numbers. And a half dozen missing files. In this case I attemped to guess at what the VIN number may have been, adding a "?" mark for unknown digits/letters. The Owosso Motor Car VIN file box also contained a list showing 500 avaiable numbers. Not sure whether this is from any government office or just a computer generated list that OMCC composed.
The standard was PPG Ditzler type DAR
Gold..............DAR3433
Burgandy..........DAR3532
Green.............DAR3254
Silver............DAR33800
White.............DAR2058
Yellow............DAR2756
Met.Blue..........DAR2893
Red...............DAR72402