What year is my Porsche??

[grubb]

Hi, this should be fairly straight-forward (in the same context that restoring a car is fairly straight-forward...): I have, what I believe to be, a 1966 Porsche 911. The title says 1966, and somewhere in my pile of documentation I have a build date of July 1965 I'm pretty sure. Problem is that the VIN is 305621, verified on all points of the vehicle that state it, and that is a 1967 VIN according to most sources that I have found (Red book, and Simon's Porsche 911 SC Site).

Adding to the risk is that a previous owner converted the car to a dual battery set-up, most likely the result of a minor accident I discovered on the same corner (passenger side front), which was not offered on cars until 1969 (again, pretty sure of this date, but don't quote me on it). So I have very little confidence in the accurate records of this car, and I do not have the original engine to help me on my way; and now I question whether or not the transmission is original, although I have confirmed that it is a 901 trans; so at least I'm in the right ballpark there.

Perhaps this is a rant, but my intent is for my model year dilemma to be explained by a guru and to know what exact model year I have...I never imagined I wouldn't be able to tell somebody what year my car was from; this could lead to some embarrassing conversations in the future!

Thanks in advance for anything anybody here can help me out with.

[ossiblue]

My source confirms the VIN you posted as being from a 1967 911. The fact the title says it's a 66 is not something I would put too much credence in as titles are often in error due to someone entering a build date instead of the model year. Once that happens and it slips by for a few changes in ownership, things look confused.

Personally, I'd trust the stamped VINs unless there are signs of cutting and re-welding around those specific areas or (if there's an aluminum plate) tampering with the rivets or some other suspicions.

There should be a production number behind the knee pad which will require removal of the pad itself, that could shed light on the year of the car. Also, some early cars had numbers inside the doors as well. There is also a production number under the dash you could check.

Pictures of the VINs will help, but if they look unmolested, I'd trust them as accurate to the model year of your car.

[kidrock]

how long have you had it? Some pix of the car would be really nice.

[grubb]

Thanks for confirming this, I'm glad I haven't starting looking for a numbers correct engine yet (something that I figure will take a few years, and have a substitute engine lined up until then).

No good pictures at the moment, it is torn completely apart and I am only just beginning my war on rust. A lot of the car's original metal looks like it is ready to come off, luckily this is mostly the floors and usual spots; only a few little holes near the rear window.

When I start building this thing I will definitely post my entire diary, but that won't happen for a few years I figure. I am currently finishing up a VW cabriolet and my house (basement, yard, driveway, etc) and I figure that will take all of my evenings, weekends, and dollars for at least a year...the car sits in my garage and taunts me daily though, so I am not without guilt.

cheers,

Andrew