Funky VIN # Any Thoughts?

[drola]

I'm looking at a 79 targa and the title has a weird vin on it.
Can anyone make sense of it?
From what I can see in the close up pic of the stamp by the gas tank is that it starts with 91A which would make that a 1980 ??????

[kyle242gt]

That's not the license plate number?

[larrym]

might be it was a salvage car retitled in NY State - many states assign their own number for such purposes

[Peter Zimmermann]

1980 by trunk VIN stamp. Maybe a salvage VIN on ownership certificate.

If it is a salvage title car (at one point it might have been stolen, "totaled," etc), and it's an early '80 production (very possible if I'm reading the number - "0059?" - correctly) , that means the car was probably built in Sept/Oct '79. DMV button pushers don't always understand how different manufacturer model years run, so it's easy to see how the car might have been considered a "1979."

[dad911]

crumpled by the smuggler's box.... could be a theft recovery or rebuild?

My brother bought a 928 with a NJ assigned VIN# once, it was a drug-siezed car, NJ removes the mfg vin# and assigned a new one.

[drola]

the seller did say it had a rebuilt title. but usually in the state of florida it will say "rebuilt" in the box where it says "exempt".
if it was rebuilt in new york, that would explain the strange vin. I've never seen one like that so I figured I'd ask.
As long as the stamped number and the plaque on the windshield pillar match then I should be good to go. Would there ever be an issue if there is an inspection? like if it gets sold out of state?

[javadog]

Was it originally built for the US market and first sold in the US when new?

JR

[Grady Clay]

Originally Posted by drola

the seller did say it had a rebuilt title. but usually in the state of florida it will say "rebuilt" in the box where it says "exempt".
if it was rebuilt in new york, that would explain the strange vin. I've never seen one like that so I figured I'd ask.
As long as the stamped number and the plaque on the windshield pillar match then I should be good to go. Would there ever be an issue if there is an inspection? like if it gets sold out of state?

The NY38736 is almost certainly an “Assigned VIN” from New York State.
The state DMV will have a file on the car, including affidavits as to why the Assigned VIN and all the other information.
There is probably a perpetual “Title Bond” for double the value of the car when the VIN was issued.
You should get certified copies of all the documentation.
See if you can get an ‘original’ of the Title Bond.

Does this title list a “Previous Title Number?”
I see “FL” listed as “previous state”.

Are you the “Registered Owner?”
If not, was the “Registered Owner” the seller to you or were there some ‘intervening’ unregistered owners?

What is the VIN stamped in the chassis?
Take a flashlight and mirror and inspect the underside of the stamping for signs of molestation.
You are correct, a 1980 VIN decodes as:
91 = Vehicle type 911.
A = Model year 1980.
0 = Manufacturing plant code for 1980 model year.
1 = Type supplement 911.
X = Engine version (3 = RoW, 4 = USA).
xxxx = Sequential serial number.
I think 1980 is the only 911 without a body version in the VIN.

Is there a VIN decal on the door jamb?
Is there a ‘Public VIN’ on the ‘A-pillar’ (windshield post)?
Do you know where to look for the ‘production number’?
What are the engine and transmission numbers? These also indicate model year.

Are there signs of the car having been ‘rebuilt’ from serious crash damage?

There are a number of technical differences between ’79 and ’80.
Obvious will be the “OXS” light between the tach and speedometer for the oxygen sensor.
There are others.

Yes, resolve all the questions.
Yes, get all the documentation.
Unresolved questions will lower the value and even might require (another) Title Bond.

Best,
Grady