Very Odd Engine Number Confusion - HELP!

[MiniManDan118]

So, Im preparing to get the engine out of one Nova and into my new project. Its a 20XE, early engine (different cambelt & coscast head). BUT, the engine number appears to be some kind of Vauxhall VIN number...

WOL00001400****

This is stamped, pretty cruedly, on the same location that the engine numbers are stamped on the C20XE and C20LET engines (near gearbox, next to dip stick). I have checked, double checked and triple cheched and my eyes aren't tricking me.

What on earth is going on!? Is this some kind of factory special, or an empty block taken from factory and built by someone else? Can anyone shed any light on this?

Cheers in advance
Dan

[DAFTJOHN]

Probably just been stamped in as the original number has been lost. They've probably used the vin from the car to identify the engine. Astra vin maybe?

[MiniManDan118]

It doesn't seem to match any VIN though, as there's some letters missing. And the surface it's stamped on must have been machined flat before it was re-stamped if it was. It certainly wasn't a grinder job, its perfectly flat.

[L14MNP]

Factory built red top. There can be no* other answer.

[MiniManDan118]

Factory built red top. There can be no* other answer.
What do you mean by that mate?