The letter S, for Standardized, means that this is an EmCon (Emission Control) engine. The 00526/A*S engines were fitted to the 1974-1977 Nuova Super 1.6.
Sorry, I have no info on the letter V or the plus sign.
EDIT: a bit more research shows that this engine was also fitted to the Spider 1.6 from 1974-1989.
Which now brings to mind an entertaining thought. It looks like the space on the block for the engine number can hold a maximum of 16 characters. Given the number of years, and hence the number of engines produced, a 17 digit serial number would have been required. Perhaps Alfa just chose to use a letter (V in this case) to maintain a 16 character format?
Sorry, I have no info on the letter V or the plus sign.
EDIT: a bit more research shows that this engine was also fitted to the Spider 1.6 from 1974-1989.
Which now brings to mind an entertaining thought. It looks like the space on the block for the engine number can hold a maximum of 16 characters. Given the number of years, and hence the number of engines produced, a 17 digit serial number would have been required. Perhaps Alfa just chose to use a letter (V in this case) to maintain a 16 character format?