Is a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity worth $100?

[S2GART]

I had given, actually have been for a couple years now, of getting one of those COAs from Porsche.
Looking at the application, for one it says the info that will be provided is a list of factory installed options, interior and exterior colors, eng and trans. #'s, production date and MSRP. However there is a catch, that is "dependent upon availability of information". So in other words if not all the "included information" is available, oh well. I e-mailed them about this, mentioning to them that they are essentially asking people to pay $100 in advance for an unknown amount of info. Of course they did not reply.

I would surely expect that for $100 they would provide more factory info, like exact production number, like where in the series was one's car was made, like #23,897 out of a run of 25,000. Or, out of "X" imported into the U.S. your car was # "X".

Has anyone here bought one of these and was it worth it? What exactly does $100 physically get you, a 8 x 11 piece of paper?

[detroiter]

I had bought one for an S when it was way much cheaper than $100.
The information was not complete (no MSRP) and in previous posts, some complained about inaccuracies.

PCNA does say in the cover letter "Please examine your cerificate thoroughly and do not hesitate to contact us in case of inaccuracies, so we can replace it with a corrected version."

You can search for older posts on this topic to help you decide.

[OttawaDave]

I was thinking about getting one as well - but popular opinion on Pelican and Rennlist seems to indicate that the price doesn't reflect the quality of what you get. Apparently Porsche used to offer a really nicely presented certificate, but the new ones are simply a printout on plain paper.

The fact that they'll rely on YOU to correct information should provide some indication as to the value of their "official certificate of authenticity"...

Just my two cents, of course - but that's what ultimately turned me off of the idea.

Best of luck in any event.

Dave

[Noel]

Not worth it. I got one for my car about 7 years ago and I won't do it for my next 911.

[RF5BPilot]

If you have a collector vehicle and its high value is due to its originality, then a CoA is worth it. Not particularly relevant to a "driver."

[jwasbury]

The PO got one for my car...its sorta cool to have, but I probably wouldn't pay for it. Mine is on a decent looking letter-head and has been laminated (PO did this maybe?). It was from the CoA that I learned my car was equipped with an LSD...that made me happy. Suppose I could've checked the option codes...

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by RF5BPilot

If you have a collector vehicle and its high value is due to its originality, then a CoA is worth it. Not particularly relevant to a "driver."

Exactly... If you just want to know out of curiosity, it's a little expensive...
If you are about to decide on a paint color for a total restoration, it's worth every penny !

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by OttawaDave

The fact that they'll rely on YOU to correct information should provide some indication as to the value of their "official certificate of authenticity"...

This is precisely what pisses me off about them. They make no effort to verify any accuracy before sending it off to you with OBVIOUS mistakes in it.

Then they'll be happy to amend it according to anything you tell them.

That's hardly a "certificate of authenticity". What a farce!

Oh, and it comes on nice resume-quality paper, not plain paper. You even get a folded piece of cardboard with it.

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

If you are about to decide on a paint color for a total restoration, it's worth every penny !

All you need to do to get this information, and most of the rest, is call PCNA Customer Care at 1-800-porsche. It's all in their computer and they tell you anything you want to know over the phone. I've done it several times.

[tangerine911S]

Originally Posted by porschenut

All you need to do to get this information, and most of the rest, is call PCNA Customer Care at 1-800-porsche. It's all in their computer and they tell you anything you want to know over the phone. I've done it several times.

I just called that number and gave the guy every piece of information I had to verify I had the car in my possesion. Told him it was a euro spec 1972 911S targa, gave him the VIN, engine #, paint code, carpet color, wheel size, and that it has hella thru-grill driving lights. Apparently this wasn't enough information for him to be able to tell me anything his computer said about my car. He even heard me open the door and pop the lid to read the engine # while on the phone. Said he would get back to me.

When was the last time someone got this info for free on the spot?

[slw911SC]

It's kind of fun to have with the rest of the books and records, looks good, provides some good information about your car that you may not otherwise have, and proves your car is what it is. Is it worth $100? No. Is it sometimes inaccurate? Yes. Was I happy when mine came in the mail? You bet!

[FastCarFan]

I have one, but I think I only paid $35 for it around 2002 (I think). When I received it the ink was slightly smeared in a couple places. I figured if I was paying $35 I shouldn't have to accept a poorly printed one, so I complained & they sent me another one. So I have two! Yippee!

Mine is on nice paper with the Porsche crest & logo & a raised seal certifying that it is an authentic COA. It is signed by Frederick Schwab, PCNA president & CEO, although it might be "machine signed". The signature is in blue ink, & the rest of the document is in black ink, FWIW. I bought a cheap frame for the "good one" & I keep it in my bookshelve behind all of the car books I have.

Actually I found out a few interesting things about my car. To begin with, the MSRP was a wopping $51,707...in 1988! I guess that is similar to a new Carrera S for about $100,000 today. I also found out my car's birthday -- I actually considered throwing a 20th birthday party for my car last spring. I was going to invite all its Porsche friends. (Basically it would have been an excuse for a party with my Porsche friends!)

As for options, I was interested to see that it originally came with a Blaupunkt Reno stereo -- some PO put in a "disco lights" radio (which I replaced with a Blaupunkt). I also confirmed that the "front & rear spoilers" came on the car & were not added later.

I am still not sure what the significance of "shortened gear lever" is. Did all U.S. cars have that? Finally, I now know the engine & transmission codes, although I have never checked to confirm that it has the orignial engine & transmission. It likely does because it was a 34,000-mile car when I bought it in 2001.

So, I would say it was worth $35, but I am not sure it is worth $100.

[carr914]

I've gotten 3 CoAs. Only one of them was right. The last was so bad, I made a color copy, talked to the PCNA people at RennSportIII with no luck and sent the Original back for a refund. I won't buy another.

T.C.

[teamfee3]

I had one for my 914 and since it had been painted and modified it was interesting but my current car came with it's window sticker so no need.........

[Christien]

Originally Posted by FastCarFan

I am still not sure what the significance of "shortened gear lever" is. Did all U.S. cars have that?

Short shift option, I'd imagine. Factory option, same as this:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=911-424-931-00-M260&catalog_description=Factory%20Porsche%20Short%20Sh ift%20Kit%2C%20911%20(1972-86)

[dshepp806]

I've not seen one of these COA's (yet),..but the "data" seems to be less than perfect....(?).

Presenly looking at my original window "sticker" ('89 911 Carrera, Coupe S.A. Edition),

MSRP: $51,205 (with the "standard" equipment...I won't list all of this)..
Silver Metallic: $892
LTHR/LTHTT Belt Silk Grey: $ N/C (what is "LTHTT?)
SILVER ANNIVERSARY PKG W/CD: $5396 (extras come with this)
SPECIAL EDITION $ N/C (not sure what's meant here.....)
DESTINATION CHARGE: $ 565

Giving a TOTAL of $58,058.00......


She has the shorter shift throw on this G50 (I'm, told)

She's MODEL NO: 911340, w/ COLOR: S7S7, INT: 97.
There's an order reference #, VIN, Port of entry (Charleston), then,..by truck,...to a dealer (Tischer Autopark in Silver Springs MD),..within months, she moved to the southeast.

VIN: WPOAB091XKS121037

18 MPG-CITY, 24MPG-HIWAY.

I'd say the sticker is somewhat informative (for me)....I've often thought of getting a COA, but have been hesitant, from what I've read here,..and (most importantly), I find myself spending $100 elsewhere.......maybe one day I will.


Best,

Doyle

[carr914]

LTHR = Leather
LTHTT = Leatherette

Leatherette is probably on the back of the seats, maybe even the rear seats

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by carr914

LTHR = Leather
LTHTT = Leatherette

Leatherette is probably on the back of the seats, maybe even the rear seats

Thanks, carr914


Doyle'

[S2GART]

So, I see I am not the only one who's questioned 100 bones for a 8 x 11 piece of paper.

In 2000 I bought a 1979 MB 300SD. Out of curiosity as to what it may have cost new, I e-mailed MB USA. What I was expecting was an e-mail saying "....your car cost $X".. Instead I get a phone call saying that they have obtained a copy of the original window sticker and were maling it to my house. Also that they were sending info from a book listing production numbers.
I mean holy cow, talk about customer service, I didn't even buy it from them. Each subsequent Benz I have bought I have been able to do this.

So when one asks Porsche for something as simply as what color is my car by paint code, ahhh pay us $100 in advance and we will send you what we have.

What most recently made me at least considering this was this reply I got from Porsche Germany when I inquired as to what my car's paint code meant (long story)

Dear Mr Jordan,
Thank you for your request. Unfortunately we have to tell you, that we do not hand out any information concerning a vehicle’s history or original configuration to any third party due to legal reasons. We would therefore ask you to contact the Porsche Importer of your country. You can purchase a certificate of authenticity for your vehicle. This certificate contains the main information about your Porsche, like the original equipment or the exterior and interior colour. Hopefully we could help you.

Kind regards
Thilo Richter
Tel. +49 (0)711 / 911-24200
Fax +49 (0)711 / 911-24526
Thilo.Richter@porsche.deDr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
VKC2Porscheplatz 1D-70435 Stuttgart - Zuffenhausen

I replied to this by asking what legalities would stop him from telling me a car'solor. Porsche NA didn't paint the car, they imported it from Porsch Germany. The very people I was contacting.

Needless to say he hasn't replied back.

[Jim Williams]

My experience with the COA – Buyer beware!

Because I recently bought a ’74 911S with basically no information available on it’s background and thought perhaps a COA might be a good investment, I sent off the $110. My COA arrived recently.

To digress a bit... The application I sent to PCNA stated (this is a quote) –
“We are pleased to offer you a Certificate of Authenticity for your
Porsche. This valuable document includes your vehicles original factory installed options, exterior and interior color, engine number and transmission number, production completion date (Birth Date) if available and manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) if available."

The latest version of the application states –
“This unique document includes your vehicle’s original factory-installed options, exterior and interior color, engine number and transmission number, production completion date (Birth Date) and manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), dependent upon availability of information.”

Notice the subtle difference in the wording between the first and second quotes? The first implies the COA will include the VIN, engine number, and transmission number. The second really says that none of the listed items will be provided if they say they are not available.

When my COA arrived, the transmission number was “not available”. The paint was listed as Silver Metallic, while the paint code says it was Brown Copper Metallic. And of course, MSRP – not available, etc. I expected that some items would be listed as not available.

I emailed PCNA with this. Waited a month, no response.

So I phoned them in accordance with the flowery letter accompanying the COA. Nice young lady explained that they hadn’t really “promised” anything. Not being happy with this answer, I was routed to young lady #2, who in more terse Teutonic terms, said basically the same thing. But if I was “displeased” (her word) they would refund my money after she verified that what I told her was indeed factual. Have I received any more info or a refund? Sadly, but expectedly, NADA. So, my advice is if you order a COA, don’t expect much, and when you don’t get much, be forewarned that I told you so.