chris996tt

I am ready to buy this 1963 , 356
can someone tell me if the numbers are matching?
I went to 356 registry and got an error message when I entered them.
car serial is 124335 or 124355 (hard to read)
engine is 753202
also is it an S ?

matt777

I think you need the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity /(COA) for the vehicle to know if the numbers are matching although there are books that can tell you if they are in the right range. I don't know what is up with the database. The engine number should indicate whether it is a normal or a super too. Perhaps post on the 3576 Registry.

chris996tt

I will go back to 356 registry and perhaps this time it will work .
Thanks

matt777

That engine number does not fall into the expected range so it does not appear to be a matching numbers engine. It looks like it could be a later engine perhaps 912 but I'm certainly no expert here.

Steve Jensen

Check it on 356a.com

chris996tt

I did 356a.com
Nothing comes up
I will try again

matt777

My previous post was based on checking the range of engine numbers based on the car VIN through the 356 Registry. I'm a member so I may have access a non-member won't have. I don't know. I can check my Maestro numbers book tonight.

http://porsche356registry.org/resour...-database.html

matt777

According to the Maestro's Little Spec Book the 753202 engine was made in 1967.

jcnesq

I checked the 356 Registry database for all cars in the range on 124335 through 124355, and none that match come up (entries are only cars with data voluntarily submitted or sometimes picked up from sale listings). The engine does not match the range of engines sold in 1963 and it may well be a 912 engine. The only way to tell if the car was originally a S or other is to obtain the COA from PCNA.

Note there should be another VIN plate in the trunk, and there are some other locations where the last 3 numbers may appear (some hard to get to such as the inside door panel, behind the door striker plate.

Unless you are going to turn this into a concours queen, the lack of a matching number probably doesn't diminish the value all that much. Lots of 356s out there running 912 motors, which may even be a plus in some ways unless you want that numbers matching concours car. See 912 engine numbers here: http://www.912registry.org/restore/vin.htm

I would strongly recommend you have a pro look at the car before buying it as there are things that could lead to very expensive repairs and highly affect value. Where is the car? My highly expert 356 wrench is in Burbank (Markham Motor Werks). John Willhoit in Long Beach (Willhoit Auto Restoration) is a pro's pro, definitely very pricey for restorations, but might help look at the car and do a PPI or recommend someone else nearby.

Good luck!

groovzilla

this is also very important if you are looking for a totally matching numbers 356. not only are the engine generator stand numbers important but also the case halves are stamped with a designated number and also the body panels.

as far as the body panels, the last 3 numbers of the vin# are stamped on the:
1. rear decklid - if you look thru the decklid grill, the 3 digit number is stamped on the bottom drip protector. sometimes this is hard to see if the car has been painted several times.
2. each door has the 3 digit number stamped on the inside panel however the door panel has to be removed to see it. *in some cases the number is actually written in a crayon type pen and not stamped. i think my '53 sunroof is marked like this.
3. the front trunk hood has the 3 digit number stamped on the drivers side hinge plate - the plate attached to the hood. again this number can be hard to read if the car has been painted several times.

niche

Good information to know!