What is that Karman factory

[Phil1000]

Looking into buying a 1970T VIN number 9110123665. From what I could find from this BBS 911 is for the model, 0 is for 1970, 1 is for T type engine, 2 for Karman build and 3665 the sequential number.

What is the difference between a regular coupe and a Karman coupe, was it like as special prep shop (like RUF or AMG)?

Finally is there any way to milk more information from that VIN number.

trying to swap my 1987 944S for that 1970 911T.

[ubiquity0]

Karman built some bodies for Porsche. Under contract I guess.

General consensus is there are no differences, other than the VIN digit.

[svandamme]

they actually assembled whole cars as well

but they're quite good at it ... i don't think they assembled the engines though....

they also did VW models

[dvkk]

Karmann

[Hoffman912]

the factory built the engines, the karossorie built the chassis.

and yes.. Karmann built the ghia and alot of other cars for many different automakers. Karmann today builds the crossfire for daimler/chrisler as well as a whole host of other cars.

[jluetjen]

I've got a Karmann couple and I have yet to learn of any differences in build quality or details.

[Hoffman912]

i only expect an expert would be able to tell.. perhaps by a body man who has done porsche resto's for a long long time, only when completely stripped or somthing insane like that. but i think they would only be able to tell by hand markings on pannels, or perhaps by the way things were done (perhaps different types of welds or welding techniques?).. i doubt there is a difference with the quality of either Karossorie though.

btw.. the porsche built 911 bodies were actually built in the reuter karossorie. reuter (who had done alot of the chassis for porsche since the early 50's) was bought out by porsche so they would have more space to buid more cars (the reuter karossorie was right next door to the porsche factory so it was a natural fit).

reuter however still wanted to be in the business of making seats...
so their new seat company became recaro.

[Crachian]

Check out the current issue of 911 & Porsche World. They feature the 912 and an informative article on the relationships between Porsche, Karmann, and Reutter.

[Phil1000]

Thanks for the info and correction on spelling, I fell better about that car now.