Gray market 930???

NEIN11 · 07-01-2006, 01:50 PM

How can you tell positively that a car is gray market? I suspect mine is by the VIN according the the Red Book since it falls between 9309700001 and 9309700820 which is RoW between 8/78 and 7/79. However, I've read elsewhere of US models with a VIN in that range instead of 930980xxxx. Which is right and is there another way of proving which it is? I haven't had any issues titling or insuring it, I'm curious.

Miguel Antonett · 07-01-2006, 04:29 PM

Mine is a US model 78-930 with vin # 9308800---

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

What's the start of the VIN? U.S. cars should be WPOJBO... Grey markets are WPOZZZ... Be careful, as there's one VIN stamped on the front trunk lid that reads WPOZZZ... even for U.S. market cars. The rest of the VINs stamped on the car should read the proper WPOJBO... though.

NEIN11 · 07-01-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Miguel Antonett
Mine is a US model 78-930 with vin # 9308800---

That would be the correct format for a 1978 US 930. Mine, however, is 930970xxxx which "should" be RoW.

baratta930 · 06:54 PM

According to Original Porsche 911:

RoW: 9309700001-9309700820
Japan: 93097009501-9309709532
US49: 9309800001-9309801200
California: 9309800001-9309801200

US cars had the same VIN run, just a different engine code (930/64 vs. /63 for California).

Nothing wrong with RoW, I have had mine for 7 years and it's been great.

Hope this helps ...

P.S. WPO VIN numbers started in 1981. WPOZZZ is RoW, WPO_BO is Canada, WPO_AO is US. Also what's interesting is that for the 930 Slantnose in 1987 (first year), the Targa and Cabrio has WPOZZZ VINs in the US. Does anyone have RedBook or later update to Original Porsche to see if this is correct?

NEIN11 · 07-01-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baratta930
According to Original Porsche 911:

RoW: 9309700001-9309700820
Japan: 93097009501-9309709532
US49: 9309800001-9309801200
California: 9309800001-9309801200

US cars had the same VIN run, just a different engine code (930/64 vs. /63 for California).

Nothing wrong with RoW, I have had mine for 7 years and it's been great.

Hope this helps ...

P.S. WPO VIN numbers started in 1981. WPOZZZ is RoW, WPO_BO is Canada, WPO_AO is US. Also what's interesting is that for the 930 Slantnose in 1987 (first year), the Targa and Cabrio has WPOZZZ VINs in the US. Does anyone have RedBook or later update to Original Porsche to see if this is correct?

I'm not upset about having RoW, that means 300HP instead of 265HP. I thought it pulled way too hard for 265. I just wanted to verify what I had. My VIN definately falls into the RoW category. Sweet!!!

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

sorry for my useless information--i neglected to notice you sig line

kycarguy 935 · 07-01-2006, 09:57 PM

I have 2 79 930's and the DP935 is a 93097xxxxx and the other was bought new in (not by me) So. Cal. is 93098xxxxx

NEIN11 · 07-02-2006, 03:44 AM

Is there anything visually that would back up the VIN? It was suggested to me that the front fender side light/reflector above and behind the tire well was not US but I'm not sure if that is correct.

Bruce M. · 07-02-2006, 05:13 AM

Aren't the Euro rear bumpers smaller? Mine are, on a 1978 Euro (9308700---)

kycarguy 935 · 07-02-2006, 09:22 AM

nein, the 5th digit on the 79's denote the US vs. Euro. 7 is Euro and 8 is US and Ca.

The 4th digit is the year ie: 9 is 1979 and 8 is 1978.

Visually the front fenders had side marker lights and the front bumper would of had 2 amber lights and 2 rubber strips to replace those lights. It looks like the smile rubber. The rear bumper pads are smaller on a euro car too like the ones the 74 model 911 used.

NEIN11 · 07-02-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kycarguy 935
nein, the 5th digit on the 79's denote the US vs. Euro. 7 is Euro and 8 is US and Ca.

The 4th digit is the year ie: 9 is 1979 and 8 is 1978.

Visually the front fenders had side marker lights and the front bumper would of had 2 amber lights and 2 rubber strips to replace those lights. It looks like the smile rubber. The rear bumper pads are smaller on a euro car too like the ones the 74 model 911 used.

Thanks for the info, here are some pics for reference. The VIN definately falls into RoW and I have the amber lights. I'm not quite sure about the other things you said. I'm new to Porsche after 25 years of dreaming so I'm in the early stages of learning. Tell me what you think.

DougM · 07-02-2006, 03:22 PM

The small light behind and above the front wheels is Euro.

kycarguy 935 · 07-02-2006, 04:44 PM

Beautiful 930. Your car does have some of the Euro markings. The rubber bumper piece I was talking about would have been replaced when it was brought into the U.S.

The rear bumper pads and the rear bumper trim with the red reflectors are Euro along with the side marker lights on the front fenders. You car probably came with H4 headlights and the sealed beam headlights were added for the US.

Miguel Antonett · 07-02-2006, 04:56 PM

great looking car!

what about some side shots?????

NEIN11 · 07-02-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kycarguy 935
Beautiful 930. Your car does have some of the Euro markings. The rubber bumper piece I was talking about would have been replaced when it was brought into the U.S.

The rear bumper pads and the rear bumper trim with the red reflectors are Euro along with the side marker lights on the front fenders. You car probably came with H4 headlights and the sealed beam headlights were added for the US.

Thanks, from what you guys are saying and the VIN I'd say I'm convinced it's gray market. Another thing is the lack of thermal reactors, I wasn't sure if the P.O. had removed them.
Either way, I thought it pulled hard for 265HP, now I know why, it should be 300HP.