Starting in the 1980s Club Car vehicles have a serial number plaque at the lower edge of the dashboard. Club Car serial number convention is 12 characters and indicates the model, the model year and the production week the vehicle was produced.

For example:
PQ0504-123456
PQ=Precedent Electric  05=2005 Model Year  04=Fourth production week

Prior to 1981, you can find the serial number by raising the seat and locating the aluminum, I-beam frame section closest to the batteries on the driver's side of the car. If the serial number plate has been removed, you can confirm it is a 1975-1980 model if it has two brake pedals and one accelerator pedal

Differences Between 1981-2000.5 and 2000.5-Present Club Car DS Models.
1982-2000.5 Club Cars
• Have two distinct seat back
• Have silver aluminum top supports
• Have a thin top

2000.5-present models
• Have a connected (one piece) seat back
• Have black top supports
• Have a thicker top with handles on each side of the back third of the top