aircooler

Hello all,

I have just finished a V.I.N. section on my web site. It is all of the 928 VIN information that I could find. I am still lacking two pieces of information. They are:

1) In the VDS code section (digits 4 - 6), I cannot find any references to the 928 body code (digit 4). All that I have seen is "J". I have found information on other Porsche body codes like those for the 911 (cab, targa, etc...), but nothing for the 928. Does anyone have any reference info on this 928 body code?

2) The model sub-type (digit 13). I don't have much info on this either. Anyone have some data?

Please have a look. Any input would be appreciated.

Here is the link



Cheers,
Mike

tuk_928

Mike,
I love it!!! I think your site is a very fine contribution to the 928 community....an excellent resource for common modifications like the analog clock upgrade and other worthwhile / tasteful mods.
Keep up the great work!!!
Best regards,
Tim

GlenL

Mike,

Nice and easy to use. I did think one digit carried the engine code. Maybe just in the old style VIN?

Jim V

Mike,

Some input; the VIN stamping on the chassis was located on the inner fender or "skirt" on the earlier cars, behind where the ingnition box is mounted. Not sure what year they moved it up to the top with the cut-out fenders.

Digit 13:

0 = '80-'82 ROW 928
1 = '80 USA 928
2 = "81-'82 USA 928
4 = ('80)-'84 ROW 928 "S"
6 = "82-84 USA 928 "S"

I only have this thru '84 but I think the "4" and "6" are used up to the S4.
No actual info on the '80 ROW "S" model, but assume it's the same as the "81+.

Jim V

Small mistake; for the '80 MY digit 13 would actually be in position 6, typical VIN: 92AO81xxxx.

Glen, if you get a moment perhaps you could fill in the missing # for the 6th position on the '80 Euro S?

tuk_928

Is there any information available for decoding the ENGINE #s? Just curious...newbie question, I know.

Rez

Mike,

Great resource. I'll take a picture of the VIN on MY 80' and post it tonight for kicks.

GlenL

A "2" in the sixth spot indicates the "S" engine.

Now where's my tech spec booklet?

Jim V

Thanks Glen, I'll jot that down for future reference.
Oddly, the little white book that I have covers the '80 "S" but the VIN info is absent for that MY.

aircooler

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Glen L, I have been focusing on the S4 and later V.I.N.'s, so I don't know too much about pre S4 and Euro models. It would be great to get some good info on the earlier 928 though. The only digit that I could find that references engine is the 2nd digit of the VDS code (or digit 5 of 17). From my research I have only found this digit to be either A (engine for Canada) or B (engine for the US). I don't think that there is any reference to engine or transmission in the V.I.N., at least not the for the later cars.

Glen you also wrote "A 2 in the sixth spot indicates the S engine." From what I have found when digit #6 is a 2, it signifies "Manual seat belts, with drivers and passenger side airbag". Is this difference due to earlier vs. later model year V.I.N.s?

Jim V, this is what I am looking for. The only thing is my 88 S4 has a 6 as digit 13. Is your "digit 13" data up to a particular year. I would love to see digit 13 info for later model cars.

Thanks for the tip on the earlier cars having a different chassis stamp location. Could you elaborate on this location? I can't really picture it in my mind.

Tim, I will send you some engine data.

Thanks Rez, I would love to see the MY 80 V.I.N.

Cheers,
Mike

Jim V

Mike,

The info I have only covers up to MY '84 and is taken from the little white "Models Dimensions Tolerances" books. There is also some VIN info in the back of the "Parts & Technical Reference Catalog" for water cooled models 1977-1988.

I can scan and send any of this if you like.

The 78-80 928 (and '80 "S") used a 10 digit VIN code with the 78-9 being one format, and the '80 being unique to that year. The engine designation appears as the 5th digit for '78-9, and as the 6th digit for '80.

Going from old unconfirmed info for the 3 digit VDS code I remember it being explained as only on North American deliveries(all others use XXX), 1st digit was the car model (928,911..), 2nd was country (Canada, USA, (Mexico??)), 3rd was body type ( coupe, cabrio...). I might have 1st and 3rd backwards. Does that seem to fit?

The chassis VIN on the early cars is on the same panel as the later cars, except that it's far forward and on the verticle plane. It has to be read from the engine bay, several inches behind the radiator and s few inches down from the fender mount lip. The square aluminum ignition box thats used on the early models is mounted right across the top of the location (probably why it was moved)