This has proved a popular list on other forums, so I thought I'd post it here as well.

When ordering a new car, your dealer may quote status codes (we all do it, even though we know our customers have no clue what we are on about!) so here they are:

10: Confirmed Order - Heavy Variability: At this point you can change anything.

13: Confirmed Order - Light Variability: At this point you can still change your colour/interior/options but cannot change your engine/gearbox or add/remove air conditioning.

16: Confirmed Order - Fixed for Production: Too late to change it now boys and girls!

20: Assigned: Your shiny new car is built and waiting to start its journey to the UK.

30: In Transit: Waiting to be loaded onto a ship.

35: In Transit: On the ship.

40: Depot Unprepared: Arrived at Portbury, waiting to be checked over for damage/missing bits.

45: Depot Prepared: Your car has been checked and all is well!

50: Delivery Instructions: Transport company receive instruction to deliver car to dealership.

55: Goods Out: On a transporter and on its way...

60: At Dealer: Pretty self-explanatory this one!

Yep

What would happen if at status 45 the car has been checked but isn't okay and has been damaged in transit for example?

Nope, well I hope not! I just wondered. Cheers 

Well...

I know that mine isn't lost at sea or in transit at all! John sent me some pics today of MY A500 (including one of the interior showing the infamous Ali Gear knob ). It has arrived at Vospers and I can pick it up any time from 28th onwards (assuming PDI and EsseEsse installation goes well).

Thanks John.

Thanks Joe. I feel that real progress is being made now with the A500 orders; hopefully all the current Abarthisti gang will have possession soon.

Can I really justify calling Research again just for a different status number?

Not wishing to worry anyone currently waiting for their car but back in Jan 1997 I ordered a new Impreza for 1st August 1997, they were just becoming really popular and there was quite a waiting list. 
About 6 weeks before delivery I had a call from the dealership to say the cargo ship had sunk and my car was now resting peacefully in salt water 
As you can imagine I was gutted, all that waiting then a big let down.  To be honest the dealership was superb and managed to fast track another car for me and I only had to wait another 5 weeks on top of original delivery date before my car was ready.

I still think of all those cars 'lost at sea'.  I was told about 100 Impreza's died that day along with many Skylines and Supras and the like.  Bet they're a bit rusty by now! Maybe a little fish made it's home in my bonnet scoop  ahhhhhhh