(HELP)1968 Porsche 911L Targa?

[Targa68]

OK guys, I asked before, about my Porsche.
Can anyone explain this to me. This is what I came up with.
Vin # 11855022
The first two digits referred to the model
The third digit referred to the build year
This is where it gets weird
The fourth digit was used for the body shell
My research states that the fifth digit is a Karmann body shell
The last three digits were the build serial number.
So why is the Birth Certificate showing 1968 911L Targa and the fourth digit indicates it's a Targa S ?
Then my Engine and gearbox numbers bring me back to 911L Targa
The Chassis number does not match with a 911L Body shell
6 is the code for 911L not 5
WTF!

11=model
8=year
5=Targa S
5=Karmann body shell
022=build serial number

[Targa68]

Anyone?

[lsf911]

11855022

11=model
8=year
5=911L TARGA
5022 = serial number

[lsf911]

For reference...

https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-data/porsche-vin-decoder/

[Targa68]

https://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/showthread.php?79256-911L-Production-Numbers

That's the problem I'm having. People say, the last three digits is the amount of Porsche's produced.

[lsf911]

Why would Porsche put the overall produced number in a vin? The vin is a specific value to that particular car. In your case the car is the 5,022 one made that year.
Mine is 0103 (last 4). It is also a 68. Does that mean they only produced 103?

Another question for you...is your engine magnesium? I would think it is considering the late production number.

[lsf911]

Okay, I'm starting to see your dilemma. I just looked at my production date and it's 11/09/67 which is after yours. So that 5 does seem odd

[Matt Monson]

As I commented last time you posted this, they made 134 911L targas, vin numbers 5001-5134. Yours was the 22nd one made.

[lsf911]

That makes sense.

[Targa68]

Originally Posted by lsf911

Why would Porsche put the overall produced number in a vin? The vin is a specific value to that particular car. In your case the car is the 5,022 one made that year.
Mine is 0103 (last 4). It is also a 68. Does that mean they only produced 103?

Another question for you...is your engine magnesium? I would think it is considering the late production number.

It's aluminium

[Targa68]

This is the book where I got my info from

[Targa68]

[lsf911]

Conflicting for sure but I think Matt's right with his assessment. That puts your car at 22 built, with aluminum engine case. Makes sense.

[Targa68]

Idk

[Daves911L]

'68 has always been very confusing. The 4th and 5th digits have to be taken together to identify the model and market (and body maker, in the case of coupes)

xxx50xxx = 911S Targa ROW market

xxx55xxx = 911L Targa US market

xxx60xxx = 911L Targa ROW market

I have 11860074, 74th sequentially out of 307 total 911L Targa ROW. You have 11855022, 22nd sequentially out of 134 total 911L Targa US. Collectively we have 2 911L Targas out of 441 total produced. Don't remember it off the top of my head, but my production date is about the same as yours. But of course 074 and 022 are sequential only in their own series, and don't mean anything against each other.

Good thing they didn't make more than 999 of any series. Oops, but they did, with 911S coupe ROW. So they broke their own rule and series 00 became 01. I guess if they had made 1001 911L Targa US, we'd have had the very confusing 11856001....

Clear as mud, eh?

[Targa68]

Geezzz Dave,crazy

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by Targa68

Geezzz Dave,crazy

Yup. Thats why about 30 years ago I quit worrying about the minutiae. We are car guys, not stamp collectors. Take off the top, zip out the window, and just enjoy the magnificent sound of that sweet 2-liter motor wailing behind you.

[Matt Monson]

I understand that it can be confusing, especially when Porsche does things against their own published books. You look at the top section and it’s as I’ve stated, even though if you use the decoder just below it it doesn’t seem to apply. You have to look at the little note that says first digit can be used for further decoding As you’ve suggested, I think the second 5 means Karmann built.

[Targa68]

Very confusing

[Targa68]

Originally Posted by Daves911L

Yup. Thats why about 30 years ago I quit worrying about the minutiae. We are car guys, not stamp collectors. Take off the top, zip out the window, and just enjoy the magnificent sound of that sweet 2-liter motor wailing behind you.

Exactly Dave