Buying a 911 - VIN code help

[LondonRob]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some help in buying a vintage 911 and hope somebody can help?

I have my eye on a 70's 911 but it has very limited documentation and I would like to find out a bit more about it before I commit to shelling out for a pre-purchase inspection.

The VIN no is 911 0100916 which I gather from another thread means:

911 = Type 911
0 = 1970 Model Year
1 = ? engine
0 = Coupe
0916 = 916th in that year's sequence

I drove the car last Saturday and it seemed ok though had been parked up for a while and had a few relatively minor issues.

I should have taken the engine no at the time to check if that was consistent with the advertised spec - but didn't do it at that time and trying to convince the dealer over the phone to rummage around in the engine bay didn't seem a goer. Ditto the options code. If the chassis code tallies with the advertised engine then I'll book an inspection and get the codes when the inspection happens. The dealer has given me the engine serial no over the phone but I guess that doesn't tell you very much?

I would give you some more info about the car but thought I'd keep it interesting for you!

Great site this.

Would appreciate any help if possible as I can't afford to buy a complete dog! Any other advice to "de-risk" the car would help.

Thanks,

Rob

[LondonRob]

I just found out that the unknown 1 in the VIN no means it's a T.

72 911 T or E

And, from the same thread, that the engine serial no is useful. Seems to tie up - serial no suggests its a 70 model T. Should the sequential build no in the VIN no match up with the engine's sequential no? I guess not - they certainly don't in this case.

So, all thats left is to find the option no, get it inspected and, all being well, strike a bargain with the dealer. Can anybody tell me where the option no plate/sticker is - I know it is under the bonnet (hood) somewhere - is it still likely to be there after a respray?

I'll put this link in here too in case anybody else stumbles across this post looking for info - link to an options decoder.

http://www.kindel.com/Porsche/options.asp

Amazing amount of info that you can find on the net. Thanks to all contributors.

Rob

[SC Schrauber]

Originally posted by LondonRob
Hi all,

I'm looking for some help in buying a vintage 911 and hope somebody can help?

I have my eye on a 70's 911 but it has very limited documentation and I would like to find out a bit more about it before I commit to shelling out for a pre-purchase inspection.

The VIN no is 911 0100916 which I gather from another thread means:

911 = Type 911
0 = 1970 Model Year
1 = ? engine
0 = Coupe
0916 = 916th in that year's sequence


Rob

check http://elferhelfer.de/fzident.htm#

911-type
0--model 70
1-engine type T
0-chassis type coupe
0916- #916

Frank

[fryardds]

Hi Rob,

The engine # should be 610XXXX for a 1970 T model. The engine #'s are not necessarily sequential with the VIN # because the same motors were used in Coupe and Targa models. There are several different types of 1970 T motors. This type # is on the motor just to the right of the serial #.

911/03 is 6100001-6103000

911/06 is 6103001-6103230 Sportmatic

911/07 is 6103501-6104547 U.S.

911/08 is 6105001-6107999 U.S. Sportmatic

There is not an option list decal or plate on these cars. Although there is a stamped metal plate on the driver's side door jam that has the original paint code of the car. Have the dealer give you that # and then post it here. You (or the dealer) could contact Porsche Club Great Britain for a Certificate of Authenticity which will list the VIN, engine #, transmission #, original color and all the original options.

I am sure that you know this but have the car inspected by someone who knows early 911s. Unless this car came from California it is probably rusty somewhere and you definitely want to know this before agreeing on a purchase.

[LondonRob]

Thanks. Both of you really helpful, especially your info Brian about the engine serial no.

The serial no on the registration book (imported to UK 94 no history yet before then) shows the engine as a US sportmatic but was definitely a 5 speed gearbox in the car. I will have a proper look at the car tomorrow - I'll forget the stuff on the reg docs as it obviously isn't nos matching (unless the gearbox has been replaced with a 5 speeder at some stage). Thanks too for the advice about the rust, will definitely get an inspection before purchase.

Ta,

Rob

[fryardds]

Rob,

Even though it is a Sportmatic serial and type #, it still maybe (probably is) a matching engine. It is very possible a former owner removed the Sporto and put in a 5 speed box.

[LondonRob]

Thanks folks. I was happy enough with the car to get an inspection. Dealer is rectifying any serious issues with the car so have put my deposit down on my 70T. Just need to sort out few issues like UK insurance and sorting out a right hand mirror now...

Thanks again. Will hopefully get a better pic once it's out of the garage and weather gets brighter - so probably 6 months away!

[fryardds]

Rob,

Gotta love an early 911 coupe in silver. It looks great.

Do you have to add a passenger side (left) mirror to the car? If so you can go back to the round style which would be correct for a '70 model year. Sure is ashame to drill holes in the left door.