[NiftySVX]

No you're right of course the prototype on display wouldn't have a vin number obviously. But I bet the running prototype did. It is highly likely that the car shown in that one article "SVX shapes up for Subaru" from awhile back (i'm too lazy to link to it) had a vin because if I remember correctly the manufacturers must clear it with the govt before they can test it on us roads.

It is also possible that vin 001 was used in crash testing outside of subaru and was destroyed, but I doubt that. I am almost certain that VIN 001 is a largely hand built unit that was used for initial road testing in the final stages of production before the factory was tooled to build it.

In fact, what is the earliest vin we have on record? isn't it like 145 or so?

When I was in high school the VO-Tech center had a 1993 camaro with vin 001. It was used to train GM field reps for new product and then donated by GM after they were done. It was the instructor's prized posession. An ugly purple V6 car if memory serves...but i digress.

It is a reasonable hypothesis that 001 was kept in japan and vin 002 was sent to the US ASAP for promotion as we were the primary market for the car.

This is something we should ask Subaru to reveal to us on the occasion of the car's 20th anniversary.