Structure of the Porsche chassis numbers
The structure of the chassis nummer respectively the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has changed several times in the history of Porsche. At the beginning it was a simple sequential number. After that, a system was introduced that made it possible to determine the model and the model year. Until finally in 1981 the internationally standardized 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) was used.
The different combinations are described in more detail below.
- 6-digit (MY: 1964-1967)
- 8-digit (MY: 1968)
- 9-digit (MY: 1969)
- 10-digit (MY: 1970-1979)
- 10-digit (MY: 1980)
- 17-digit (MY: since 1981)
Porsche VIN model years 1964 - 1967
With the introduction of the Porsche 911, six-digit chassis numbers were used. There was not a real system in place. The assigned numbers can be foand in the list. A distinction is made between model, model year and body manufacturer.
| chassis number | model | model year | body manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 001 ... 300 232 | 911 Coupé | 1964 | Porsche |
| 300 233 ... 303 390 | 911 Coupé | 1965 | Porsche |
| 350 001 ... 351 970 | 912 Coupé | 1965 | Porsche |
| 450 001 ... 454 470 | 912 Coupé | 1965 | Karmann |
| 303 391 ... 305 100 | 911 Coupé | 1966 | Porsche |
| 454 471 ... 485 100 | 912 Coupé | 1966 | Karmann |
| 305 101 ... 308 522 | 911 Coupé | 1967 | Porsche |
| 500 001 ... 550 544 | 911 Targa | 1967 | Porsche |
Porsche VIN model year 1968
In 1968, the chassis number was expanded to eight digits and a system was implemented to map the vehicle type, model year and model variant.
| 11 | 8 | 1 | 0001 ... 9999 |
|
^ 1 |
^ 2 |
^ 3 |
^ 4 |
- model name
11 = 911 - model year
8 = 1968 - variant
0 = Coupé S, 1 = Coupé L, 2 = Coupé T, 3 = Coupé USA
5 = Targa S, 6 = Targa L, 7 = Targa T, 8 = Targa USA
9 = Coupé R - continuous counting
Porsche VIN model year 1969
In 1969 the chassis number was expanded to 9 digits. Thus, in addition to the vehicle type, the model year and the model variant, the built-in engine type could also be displayed.
| 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0001 ... 9999 |
|
^ 1 |
^ 2 |
^ 3 |
^ 4 |
^ 5 |
- model name
11 = 911 - model year
9 = 1969 - engine type
1 = 911 T, 2 = 911 E, 3 = 911 S - body
0 = Coupé, 1 = Cabriolet, 2 = Coupé by Karmann - continuous counting
Porsche VIN model yeare 1970 - 1979
In the 1970s, a 10-digit version was used and the model name was shown with three digits.
| 930 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0001 ... 9999 |
|
^ 1 |
^ 2 |
^ 3 |
^ 4 |
^ 5 |
- model name
911 = 911 (non turbo)
930 = 911 turbo
914 = 914/6 (914/4 got VW-chassis number)
924
928 - model year
0= 1970, 1 = 1971 ... 9 = 1979 - engine type
1970 - 1971: 1 = 911 T, 2 = 911 E, 3 = 911 S and 916, 4 = 914/6
1972 - 1973: 1 = 911 T, 2 = 911 E, 3 = 911 SE, 5 = 911 T Carburetor, 6 = 911 SC
1974 - 1975: 1 = 911, 3 = 911 S, 4 = Carrera USA, 6 = Carrera
1975: 7 = 911 turbo
1976 - 1977: 0 = 912 E, 2 = 911 S USA, 3 = 911, 6 = Carrera, 7 = 911 turbo, 8 = 911 turbo (USA)
1978 - 1979: 1 = 928 (USA/Japan), 2 = 911 SC (USA) 928 (ROW), 3 = 911 SC, 7 = 911 turbo, 8 = 911 turbo (USA/Japan) - body
0 = Coupé, 1 = Targa, 2 = Coupé by Karmann, 3 = 914 Targa - continuous counting
Porsche VIN model year 1980
In 1980 there was another adjustment of the division, but the total length of 10 digits was retained. The body type is no longer included, but the manufacturing factory has been added.
| 93 | A | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0001 ... 9999 |
|
^ 1 |
^ 2 |
^ 3 |
^ 4 |
^ 5 |
^ 6 |
- model name (part 1) -
digits 1+2+5
93+0 = 930 turbo, 91+1 = 911, 92+4 = 924, 92+8 = 928, 93+1 = 924 Turbo - model year
A = 1980, B = 1981, C = 1982, D = 1983 - manufacturer location
0 = - model name (part 2) -
digits 1+2+5
93+0 = 930 turbo, 91+1 = 911, 92+4 = 924, 92+8 = 928, 93+1 = 924 Turbo - engine type
0 = V8 ROW, 1 = V8 USA, 2 = V8 Version S, 3 = B6 ROW, 4 = B6 USA, 7 = B6 Turbo - continuous counting
Porsche VIN since model year 1981
In 1981, the internationally standardized vehicle identification number (VIN) was used. This is a 17-digit number which is unique worldwide.
| WP0 | Z | Z | Z | 93 | Z | H | S | 0 | 0 | 0001 ... 9999 |
|
^ 1 |
^ 2 |
^ 3 |
^ 4 |
^ 5 |
^ 6 |
^ 7 |
^ 8 |
^ 9 |
^ 10 |
^ 11 |
- world manufacture code
WP0 = Porsche Sports Car
WP1 = Porsche (e.g.: Cayenne) - body code
Z = placeholder
only in USA/Canada: A = Coupé, B = Targa, C = Cabriolet
since 2003: J = Coupé, K = Cabriolet - engine type code (only used in USA/anada, ROW = Z)
Z = placeholder - code for restraint systems (only used in USA/Canada, ROW = Z)
0 = seat belt, 2 = airbag and seat belt
since 2003: E = without side airbag, F = with side airbag - model type part 1 (see part 9)
digits 7+8+12
ex.: 93+0 Porsche 911 turbo, 98+6 = Porsche Boxster, 98+0 = Porsche Carrera GT, 9P+A = Cayenne - check digit (only used in USA/Canada, ROW = Z)
0 - 9, X, Z = placeholder - model year
consecutive letters (I, O, Q, U and Z are not in use):
A = 1980, B = 1981, C = 1982 ... H = 1987, J = 1988, K = 1989 ... N = 1992, P = 1993, R = 1994 ... X = 1999, Y = 2000
since 2001 consecutive digit:
1 = 2001 2= 2002 ... 9 = 2009 - place of manufacture
S = Stuttgart (Germany), N = Neckarsulm (Germany), L = Leipzig (Germany), U = Uusikaupunki (Finland) - model type part 2 (see part 5)
digits 7+8+12
ex.: 93+0 Porsche 911 turbo, 98+6 = Porsche Boxster, 98+0 = Porsche Carrera GT, 9P+A = Cayenne - code for body and engine
- continuous counting
more about the international VIN see Wikipedia
