When the Escort Cosworths left the assembly, were the last few digits of the VIN number supposed to match the engine number?

Does anyone know how the VIN numbers were assigned to the chassis during the assembly stage?

When stripping my car down for a full body re-spray, I’ve found 5 numbers hand written under the driver’s seat (LHD) on the cross member of the floor plan. It would appear that this number was used as the last 5 digits of the VIN and stamped into the chassis. This VIN number has been struck through with X’s and a new number has been stamped changing the last 5 digits and this matches the engine number. The little stars are at the beginning and end of both numbers, and the same stampers have been used because they look identical. The number matches the VIN plate in the engine bay.

My guess is that the wrong engine was fitted then they just changed the VIN number to match the engine number. Is this a feasible explanation? I don’t believe this could be a ringer as the stamping is the same.

Does anybody else have the same on their Escort?

Is the VIN stamped anywhere else? I’ve noticed some numbers on the rear quarter panels inside the boot/water channels, but cannot read them. Does anybody know what these are?

Thanks
John