Mike Kast

I'm looking at an 80SC Targa <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> I don't really want a Targa, but I think it may be a good deal that I could roll over in a few months while I keep looking for my coupe... Or who knows, I may just fall in love. Anyway, I digress...
Its an 80. The VIN # is 91AO133999
The first 3 or the 6th# represents engine type
3=911 3.0L
4=911 3.0L USA
7=930 3.3L

I am assuming this means its a euro motor therefore a euro car, right? How do I check the VIN? as in run a carfax? Carfax only accepts 17 digit VIN# They didn't start using 17 digit VIN#'s until 81. How do I find out if the car has been crashed?

Bill Gregory

You're right, Carfax only does the longer VIN's. As far as crash damage, you could have a body shop familiar with Porsche's look it over. As a euro specimen, you would want to see the EPA/DOT conversion paperwork. Alot of gray market Porsche's came into the US in the 80's, and not everyone did quality federalization work. If it was run in Europe for several years then brought over, have an extra thorough PPI done.

ked

<strong>I am assuming this means its a euro motor therefore a euro car, right? How do I find out if the car has been crashed?</strong>

Mike, It is a ROW chassis, but don't assume anything about the engine! Who knows what has happened over 23 years? It may have been a properly EPA converted Euro engine - meaning it may be difficult to distinguish from a US engine or a swapped-in US spec motor. US original engines had an O2 sensor w/ 3-way cat. The best ways to ascertain is to run the engine # past PCNA &/or have a mechanic who knows "on sight" of any distinctions - part of a proper PPI anyway. On the accident / paint history, full examination by a really expert Porsche body guy is better than a carfax (imo). If I preferred a Coupe (& I do), I'd be very careful on this car, esp. as a business proposition.

Mike Kast

Thank you gentlemen!
I agree about the business proposition part. I think I say things like that outloud sometimes just so I can believe them.
The pictures I saw of the car show it to be meticulous. In and out. I'll see it tomorrow if the roads clear. New tires, shocks... the guy seemed to baby it. He only wants 10,600. I was told the rear bumper was euro. Then I saw the obvious... The engine lid says carrera? Something is up! If its a euro, then I guess the bumper should be a euro, but why a carrera engine lid with no tail? Oh well. I was searching some past VIN posts and I saw one where Bill G. said to call (800)PORSCHE. I'm gonna give them a call to find out what I can find out!
Thanks again!

ked

Mike - there COULD be an innocent reason for a different engine decklid... past minor rust or damage (!), DOT requirement for a "US legal" rear spoiler (if this Euro model came w/ a non-compliant spoiler - gray market made for strange mods back then). If this owner took care of the car and owned it a long while, then he may be able to tell you more about its past and some of the things uncovered during its servicings.

One of the fun aspects of searching for old Porsches is a kind of "auto forensics" - What is it & how did it get this way? Some people read mystery novels, we do field investigations...

Mike Kast

He has only owned it for 2 years. Put less than 2000 miles on it. I know where he got the car from though. A dealer here in raleigh who's name pops up everywhere I turn. I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about the guy. He seemed like a good guy. Not a car salesman type at all.
I'm looking at a car in Pennsylvania and the seller just bought a carrera from this guy in Raleigh.
Small world. And I think this dealer has touched half the porsches on it. I've heard good things about his mechanic too. This is someone I will have to get to know better I guess.

Mike Kast

what does ROW stand for?

tchanson

Mike,

Rest/Remainder Of World, or, non-US car.

Tim

Mike Kast

I guess that was not a term coined in germany or england. Or does everywhere thats not the US consider themselves "The rest of the world"? lol
A little ego centric... But I like it here!