Chris W. - '96 Targa

I raised the following questions on the thread "OT Poll - How many North American Targa owners are on the list?", but since it really is a separate topic, I figured I'd start a new thread.

I have a '96 Targa, and noticed the Red Book has some inaccuracies. Most visible error/omission, my VIN isn't listed at all, but from searching the archives I'm not the first person that's noticed that discrepancy.

My VIN is "WP0DA2995TS385477". The Red Book doesn't list the fourth-character "D" series at all, although I've read elsewhere it identifies it as a Targa. However, when shopping for my car, I found others that matched the Targa VIN pattern in the Red Book (which has a "B" as the fourth character). So, it's not as simple as a typo in the book.

One other thing to note is the build date of the car -- in my case "4/96" according to the sticker in the driver's door jamb. Don't know for sure but I'd have to think it was one of the last '96 models produced. Did Porsche change the VIN pattern mid-year?

I'd love to find out exactly how many '96 targas were built. For that matter, I'd love to find out build quantities by color combo, etc. as well. With the inaccuracy referenced above, I don't trust the production number reported in the Red Book.

Anyone have a more definitive source for production numbers?

-Chris

Phil

your vin shows has valid thru Kelly Blue Book.. however they dont have productions numbers

Chris W. - '96 Targa

Thanks for the KBB check, Phil. It also checked out through Carfax before I bought it, so I knew it was a valid VIN. From other threads it would seem I'm not the only Targa owner with this VIN pattern.

-Chris

Mike J

Chris,

My car is also a 96 Targa. Lets see:

Your VIN : WP0DA2995TS385477
My VIN : WP0DA2994TS385308

Build Date on door pillar : 1/96 so its "older" than yours by 3 months!

You are right, it does not match the red book. It was a concern when I looked at the car, but I checked with Porsche to confirm the VIN. Its correct.

So I guess is question is the number of Targas imported to US/Canada. Is it 462 as the Red book states? It would also be interesting to find out other stats such as how many 6 speeds/Tip there are.

Viken

FYI:

TS: 1996
38: 993 Targa

Mike J

Thanks Viken!

Does it also hold true that there were 385477 - 385308 = 169 Targas made between 1/96 and 4/96?

And what about the "995" vs the "994".

Cheers,

Mike

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by Mike J:
<strong>Does it also hold true that there were 385477 - 385308 = 169 Targas made between 1/96 and 4/96?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't know but supposedly there were 544 Targa's made for North America in 1996.

[quote]<strong>And what about the "995" vs the "994".</strong><hr></blockquote>

The "5" and the "4" are what's referred to as a Test Digit and is an internal PAG number. I have never heard of a good explanation for this.

Chris W. - '96 Targa

Thanks for the info, Viken!

Any idea when the 1996 production started/stopped?

-Chris

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by Chris W. - '96 Targa:
<strong>Any idea when the 1996 production started/stopped?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Can't be positive, but my guess would be 9/95 - 6/96.