NUMBERS MATCHING confusion
 

Okay, so forgive my ignorance, but I am looking at some older S,T and E models from late sixties to early seventies. I have seen ads on Pelican parts/autotrader and other sites that say numbers matching. When I have looked at the VIN number and number on engine plates, I don't understand the logic of how the numbers match- IE: some of these cars say numbers matching but he plates have different numbers.

Is there something I am missing here? Ive searched with little success and it seems like on my 87 Carrera the plates all do have the same exact number sequence.

Thanks in advance for any light someone can shed on this!

My understanding is the only way you can know for sure if the engine, transmission, and VIN all are as they came from the factory is having a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity but I may be off. I know you can use the "Red Book" to see if the numbers equate to the correct year of car but that doesn't mean they are original, just that they are from the correct year. To me, "number's matching" means original.

Numbers matching refers to all the numbers with the car matching the numbers as listed on the Kardex. The Kardex was filled out by the factory when the car was built. PCNA sells a Certificate of Authenticity which is "supposed to" reflect the info on the Kardex. I say "supposed to" because often PCNA makes mistakes when people order the certificate.

Basically there are three numbers you are concerned with on a "numbers matching" car. They are the VIN, motor number and transmission number. Each of these numbers is different from each other but are written on the Kardex.

There is also a production number that differs from the VIN number but it is not viewable without removing some dash trim. This number is not available from Porsche but they will confirm whether or not if the VIN and production number match if you suspect that a car is cobbled together.

There is no one specific # that necessarily goes w/ another

Matching #s would be one # from each of the following categories in the same chassis
a chassis # range
an engine # range
a transmission # range

Porsche has a published the comprehensive data for all the above in PET, not all versions will have the above info

Thanks guys- this is a great help and helps clarify my understanding.

Bill Verburg- What is PET? Thanks!

It's the Porsche Electronic Parts catalogue, there are numerous versions, some available for free from Porsche but not all have the same capability and/or information

One more thing is that most people watch these car auctions and see them say numbers matching...I know with the older GM cars of the 60's & 70's the cars Vin was also stamped on the engine, trans, and possibly on the rear end. That makes it easier for them to check those...but even that can be re-stamped..