how do i check the VIN on a '78?
06-03-2010, 12:31 PM
#1
Track Day
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how do i check the VIN on a '78?
apologies in advance for being thick, but i'm struggling to figure out how to run a VIN check on a 78 im looking at. the VIN i have is 10 digits - every VIN-check site im looking at insists on a 17-digit code. the longer VIN's must have been intro'd in the 80's.....anyone know how to run a check on an early car? 
06-03-2010, 07:41 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
What do you want to know?
The only things you can tell from the early vins is the year, Region (US/RoW rest of world) and the number it was given off the assembly line.
For example, mine is a 928 8=1978 Euro (1=RoW) number 1557.
9288101557
What's the number?
The only things you can tell from the early vins is the year, Region (US/RoW rest of world) and the number it was given off the assembly line.
For example, mine is a 928 8=1978 Euro (1=RoW) number 1557.
9288101557
What's the number?
06-03-2010, 07:55 PM
#4
Nordschleife Master
If anyone does manage to get a vehicle-specific result from PET7 for 78/79 please let me know a working VIN.
06-04-2010, 06:14 AM
#5
Track Day
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thanks lads. VIN is 9288200539....which makes it a US '78 #539 based on what you're saying Kary.
was hoping id be able to get more info off the bloody thing....i may be buying it sight unseen and shipping to europe...and i'm nervous!!
was hoping id be able to get more info off the bloody thing....i may be buying it sight unseen and shipping to europe...and i'm nervous!!
06-04-2010, 07:28 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
That sounds correct. It is an early car, that alone will guarantee that you'll find interesting things about it.
Mine has signatures on lots of parts, I assume those who built it signed the pieces. StrekWhy, I don't know. I'd have thought that by the time mine was built, the novelty would have diminished.
Lots of changes took place in the first years, so knowing the car number is important. StrekMany parts were only used on chassis #xxx through #yyy, so checking for part variations in the PET program is important.
Of course, this also makes finding parts a huge pain in the ***.
---ignore allthe "strek" text that my iPhone keeps dumping in my message. Damn phone.
Mine has signatures on lots of parts, I assume those who built it signed the pieces. StrekWhy, I don't know. I'd have thought that by the time mine was built, the novelty would have diminished.
Lots of changes took place in the first years, so knowing the car number is important. StrekMany parts were only used on chassis #xxx through #yyy, so checking for part variations in the PET program is important.
Of course, this also makes finding parts a huge pain in the ***.
---ignore allthe "strek" text that my iPhone keeps dumping in my message. Damn phone.
06-04-2010, 07:43 AM
#7
Nordschleife Master
There weren't that many options for the early cars, and no option-code sticker etc. - so unless the original receipt is included, you'd have to ask Porsche for details on the car.
First off is get good hi-res photos of the interior/exterior engine bay, including asking for close-ups of things you want to see more of.
Second, if you're concerned about any part of the car, get a recommendation for a good PPI place local to the car from other 928 owners (here, or regional 928-specific forums/mailing lists)
Thirdly, get all the bits you need for import/export paperwork sorted out before the car is picked up (e.g. may need photos of the VIN plate, the mileage, scans of the registration documents, receipt/invoice, receipt showing draining of AC system (depending on your local laws for R12/R134a etc.).
I've bought all my 928's sight-unseen from overseas.. its a little nerve-wracking, but with a little homework, not too tricky. I just bought my third one, and it'll be on a boat leaving the UK on June 12th - being picked up on Monday 7th on a flat-bed
You do need to have some appetite for risk tho'.
In my case, the choice of manual 928's from '87 onwards in Australia is very very limited.. (e.g. 4 89 GT's were sold in Australia, and 4 manual GTS's (one of each model year)). Being remote, the dealers placed their orders and sold stock off the showroom floor for the most part.. and for some dumb reason, they seemed to think Aussie's prefer automatics even in sports cars (the number of tiptronic 993's is terrifying too).
First off is get good hi-res photos of the interior/exterior engine bay, including asking for close-ups of things you want to see more of.
Second, if you're concerned about any part of the car, get a recommendation for a good PPI place local to the car from other 928 owners (here, or regional 928-specific forums/mailing lists)
Thirdly, get all the bits you need for import/export paperwork sorted out before the car is picked up (e.g. may need photos of the VIN plate, the mileage, scans of the registration documents, receipt/invoice, receipt showing draining of AC system (depending on your local laws for R12/R134a etc.).
I've bought all my 928's sight-unseen from overseas.. its a little nerve-wracking, but with a little homework, not too tricky. I just bought my third one, and it'll be on a boat leaving the UK on June 12th - being picked up on Monday 7th on a flat-bed
You do need to have some appetite for risk tho'.In my case, the choice of manual 928's from '87 onwards in Australia is very very limited.. (e.g. 4 89 GT's were sold in Australia, and 4 manual GTS's (one of each model year)). Being remote, the dealers placed their orders and sold stock off the showroom floor for the most part.. and for some dumb reason, they seemed to think Aussie's prefer automatics even in sports cars (the number of tiptronic 993's is terrifying too).
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06-04-2010, 08:00 AM
#8
Nordschleife Master
Talking about this one?
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...k-1-owner.html
Cars like that, special, really require some expert eyes on them prior to making offers unless you like expensive disappointments.
I just tried the 7 blanks before the vin on autocheck.
AutoCheck found 10 record(s) for this vehicle. NEXT STEP: Click "Buy Now" to continue!
* VIN: 9288200539
* Year: 1978
* Make: Porsche
* Style / Body:
* Engine:
* Country of Assembly:
* Model: 928
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...k-1-owner.html
Cars like that, special, really require some expert eyes on them prior to making offers unless you like expensive disappointments.
I just tried the 7 blanks before the vin on autocheck.
AutoCheck found 10 record(s) for this vehicle. NEXT STEP: Click "Buy Now" to continue!
* VIN: 9288200539
* Year: 1978
* Make: Porsche
* Style / Body:
* Engine:
* Country of Assembly:
* Model: 928
06-07-2010, 02:18 PM
#9
Track Day
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cheers danglerb, i had dan warner do a PPI a few weeks ago - he seems to be well regarded on this forum and is local. there are a few things to be done but nothing major and overall he was quite taken with the car. my worry is that someone else's idea of what perfection is, and mine, will invariably be different and like you say i could be lining myself up for an expensive disappointment. anyway im going for it.......
