I have a quick question about the VIN number for the 928. As I understand it the last 4 digits of the VIN represent the run down the production line. i.e. the # 0001 is of course the first 928 of that year and #9999 is the last. I have never encountered a number less than mine #0555 for 1982 and as I cruise e-bay I rarely see one under #1000 for any year. Does anyone know why this is? Did it actually start at #0500 or were all of the first 500 produced for a different market?

 

Look at the '86 that's on eBay now. It's <1000.

 

My '83 is 0242, if you look at the 928 registry you will find many that are <1000.

 

Yes I looked at the Registry after I posted and then pulled my foot out of my mouth. I hope with the Registry the first and last will pop up. But that also begs the question. How were the cars produced? Up to a certian point were U.S. cars produced and after that they were produced for a different market. It makes me wonder? And it makes sense in the business to set things up on the production line that the same.

 

This came up quite a long time ago (before this BB) as I remember it was agreed as follows:

From the 928/S Models Dimensions Tolerance '80-'84; and using your MY as an example, there shows 4 models with the final 6 digits of the VIN deliniating them.

Euro/ROW = 80 0001-5000; US = 82 0001-5000; Japan = 80 9500-9999; Euro/ROW "S" = 84 0001-5000.

As I remember what was decided from actual VIN numbers was that the 3 different models that used the 0001-5000 were all numbered in order regardless of final build as the chassis came down the line. The only ones that got special attention were the models destined for Japan.

I remember alot of final 4 digits flying around to figure this out; but like I said this was several years ago so I could be wrong.