Early S in disguise?

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 04:15 PM

I just picked up a 68 911. I have a question about the vin. The vin plate shows as a 911L but the vin is 11805172. The fourth digit being a 0 should indicate it as an S. Anyone have any thoughts?

ossiblue · 04:38 PM

Probably a typo for the S. I say this because the source I use indicates only 1267 S coupe cars produced in 1968, and your VIN indicates car number 5172--nearly 4K more than produced. L coupes range up to 5449, so your car would be in that range.

Where are you reading the VIN, 11805172? Is it the stamped VIN, located on the sheet metal just below the cover of the smuggler's box? Is it stamped on the plate by the latch for the trunk? Is on the plate on the door jamb by the hinges?

Pictures would be the greatest help. How did you determine it was a 911L? On the plate or by a VIN on the plate? The most reliable/least likely to be changed is the VIN by the smuggler's box. Again, a good clear picture of the VIN--the one by the smuggler's box and anywhere else--will be the best help for us.

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 04:36 PM

The vin is the same on all of the plates. Smugglers box, door jamb and the plate. The reason for the confusion is the plate and the plate only says 911L. I am actually on my home with it right now so I don't have a pic to share yet. I'm not driving and posting btw. I have a buddy at the wheel.

ossiblue · 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgyglfr

The vin is the same on all of the plates. Smugglers box, door jamb and the plate. The reason for the confusion is the plate and the plate only says 911L. I am actually on my home with it right now so I don't have a pic to share yet. I'm not driving and posting btw. I have a buddy at the wheel.

I edited my post as you typed. Look at the number of S cars produced in 68. Is your car a targa? If they transposed a digit, a 68 S targa could be 118 5 0172, with the 0 transposed with the 5 (which indicates an S targa.) Just a guess.

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 04:51 PM

I read that but I also read somewhere that the 5 in the 5th location would indicate a Karmann built car and I thought the fourth digit would have to be a 1 to make it an L? I think what you stated above makes the most sense though and it would obviously explain the L on the vin plate.

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 04:51 PM

It's a coupe.

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 05:02 PM

Here's a link that I found.
www.elferhelfer.com/fzident/fzident68.htm

ossiblue · 11-27-2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgyglfr

I read that but I also read somewhere that the 5 in the 5th location would indicate a Karmann built car and I thought the fourth digit would have to be a 1 to make it an L? I think what you stated above makes the most sense though and it would obviously explain the L on the vin plate.

Yes, a 5 in the fifth position could indicate a Karmann build but, afik, Karmann did not build the S or the L models. Just seems the simplest answer is a typo. Do you have the original engine and, if so, do you know the serial number?

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 05:10 PM

Don't have the engine or trans. I think it is likely an L. Am I wrong that the fourth digit should be 1 for the L though?

ossiblue · 11-27-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgyglfr

Don't have the engine or trans. I think it is likely an L. Am I wrong that the fourth digit should be 1 for the L though?

You are correct, 1 indicates an L.

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 05:19 PM

Hmmmm. Maybe I should order a coa and see what Porsche comes back with?

ossiblue · 11-27-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgyglfr

Hmmmm. Maybe I should order a coa and see what Porsche comes back with?

COA are notoriously unreliable. Before you do that, there are other places where numbers are found that can help. Under the dash pad will be a grease pencil number which should match the VIN. Also, behind the knee pad will be a production number that will help identify the chassis. Early cars had this production number match the VIN but later cars they were not matched but were recorded by Porsche to identify the car. Not sure if a 1968 production number would still match the VIN--others would know, however. Also, many early cars had the VIN written inside the door skin, and also stamped on the metal around the hole in the tunnel--by the grille in front of rear seats.

Keep us updated on what you find.

bgyglfr · 11-27-2013, 05:36 PM

Thanks so much for your help. I will do more digging as I get time. I am happy with it either way but if it turns out to be something special. That would be really cool.