Checking the VIN, not always fun
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 5
From: Orange, Cal
Checking the VIN, not always fun
I went digging in my old receipts and found the VIN for the 928 I traded in in 1987, nothing in the smog check database, nothing in carfax. ;(
VIN WP0JA0927BS820122
Year/Make/Model: 1981 PORSCHE 928
Body Style: COUPE
Engine Type: 4.5L V8 FI SOHC
Manufactured In: GERMANY
Search Results: 0 records found in our database
VIN WP0JA0927BS820122
Year/Make/Model: 1981 PORSCHE 928
Body Style: COUPE
Engine Type: 4.5L V8 FI SOHC
Manufactured In: GERMANY
Search Results: 0 records found in our database
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 0
From: DFW
These are databases containing millions of entries and billions of digits, conglomerated out of millions of paper documents from thousands of diverse sources - and the reality of human error is an omipresent cloud over it all.
Maybe you're one digit off...
Maybe the car's original records got "lost" in the system when someone's file cabinent got burned or flooded... and it hasn't been able to make any new records 'cause it's dead, scrapped or stored.
Maybe it witnessed a crime and went into the Sportscar Protection Program and had it's identity changed...
Maybe you're one digit off...
Maybe the car's original records got "lost" in the system when someone's file cabinent got burned or flooded... and it hasn't been able to make any new records 'cause it's dead, scrapped or stored.
Maybe it witnessed a crime and went into the Sportscar Protection Program and had it's identity changed...
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 5
From: Orange, Cal
Vin has a check digit, and it says its ok, and the doc I found was from the dealer, even checked a couple different ones to make sure the squiggle really was a J and not a 2. Anything prior to 1991 I guess is chancy in the database. I also found the plate number, but I traded it in to Beverly Hills Porsche and first thing they do is surrender the plates. Salesman told me they had a buyer that wanted it before I picked up the new 944T. Crashed or stolen, kind of depressing. I made the mistake of looking at a house I sold once. OTOH the house was such a wreck the first time, I went by again a year or so later and it was a bit nicer.
Casual searching everything VIN check related I found seemed feed to either CarFax or Experian's Autocheck.
Casual searching everything VIN check related I found seemed feed to either CarFax or Experian's Autocheck.
Rest in Peace
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 2
From: Concord, CA
Originally Posted by danglerb
I went digging in my old receipts and found the VIN for the 928 I traded in in 1987, nothing in the smog check database, nothing in carfax. ;(
VIN WP0JA0927BS820122
Year/Make/Model: 1981 PORSCHE 928
Body Style: COUPE
Engine Type: 4.5L V8 FI SOHC
Manufactured In: GERMANY
Search Results: 0 records found in our database
VIN WP0JA0927BS820122
Year/Make/Model: 1981 PORSCHE 928
Body Style: COUPE
Engine Type: 4.5L V8 FI SOHC
Manufactured In: GERMANY
Search Results: 0 records found in our database
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 5
From: Orange, Cal
With a B it comes up as invalid. I tried the carfax thing as well since it checks for VIN numbers close to what you entered if it doesn't get any hits. I am still digging around in boxes looking for my 944T folder, so I may find something more official VINwise than a repair order.
Trending Topics
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,386
Likes: 72
From: Helsinki, Finland
Manufacturers can decide what kind of coding they use in 4th to 6th VIN positions. This so called VDS code is used to describe what safety equpment was installed. For some reason factory used JA0 in '81-82 MY's and JB0 '83 and after up to '90 when airbags came. WP0JA0927BS820122 is correct VIN for early '81 MY US model.
Code:
Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
VIN W P 0 J A 0 9 2 7 B S 8 2 0 1 2 2
Numerical value 6 7 0 1 1 0 9 2 2 2 8 2 0 1 2 2
Weight factor 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Product 48 49 0 5 4 0 18 20 18 16 56 12 0 4 6 4 = 260
Check digit 260 / 11 = 23.636...
(23.636... - 23) x 11 = 7
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
