LHD 944 Help Please

[amscerp]

Hi Guys

Hello from a newbie.

I just joined the forum because the articles and drawings and all the other stuff I have been able find here has so far helped me to get an old Porsche 944 back onto the road again

However, I now need some help that so far I havent been able to find.

My old 944 is a LHD version, it is from Germany and still has on it the old British Forces Germany Registration Plate. (similar to normal German plates with different letters)
According to the history that I have managed to get hold of, the car belonged to an Army Lt Colonel. The invoices and stuff are in German, so there is a task there to translate them !

But if your members could help with this problem please ...............

I am trying to find out the year of manufacture, I have read somewhere that you can tell this from the VIN and if I am right, then is seems the car is a 1992 model.
The car is non-turbo version, and the VIN is:
WPOZZZ94Z0N400134

Anyone out there can help please?

I need the info so that I can get the car registered here in the UK

Thanks
Geoff

[John_AZ]

Welcome Goeff,

I cannot tell from your VIN the year?

Here is a basic VIN decoding:

"In 1981 the 10-digit V.I.N. changed to a 17-digit number that we still use today.

The year code changed from the 3rd digit to the 10th digit.

An example would be WPOAAO910BS120001.

WP0– (World producer code-W=Germany, P=Porsche, 0=division)

AA0 – (VDS – Vehicle destination) AAO is USA and ZZZ is Rest of World.

91 – (First and second digit of Porsche type – 911)

O – (Test digit)

B – (1981)

S – (manufacturing location/ Stuttgart)

1 – (Third digit of Porsche Type - 911)

2 – (Body type-911SC coupe USA/Canada)

0001 – Sequential Number.

But wait, there is the twist!, Capital letters A through Z and numbers 1 through 0 may be used in the V.I.N. itself, except the letters I, O and Q , for obvious reasons. In the year code only, the letter U and the number 0 are not used as well.

Here is the breakdown for those of you still counting on you fingers-

1980 (A), 1981 (B), 1982 (C), 1983 (D) 1984 (E) 1985 (F) 1986 (G) 1987 (H), 1988 (J), 1989 (K), 1990 (L), 1991 (M), 1992 (N), 1993 (P), 1994 (R), 1995 (S), 1996 (T), 1997 (V), 1998 (W), 1999 (X), 2000 (Y) Then after 2001 the 10 th digit changes to a number, 2001(1), 2002 (2), 2003 (3), 2004 (4) and so on. In 2010 the year designator will switch back to (A) again. 2011 (B), 2012 (C,) and so on.

For a more detailed look at the V.I.N. coding, pick up one of the Porsche Technical Specifications Bookletsfrom your local dealer. They are each about 100 pages of pure technical fact fun, including complete V.I.N. de-coding.

From:
VIN de-coding

GL
John

[ernie9944]

Welcome Geoff___ I doubt very much that an 92 -944 will have came with Cookies Cutter on it & not 100% sure but I think the last 944 NA 8v was produce in 89 with the 2.7.Then Porsche came in with the S/S2/968-16v ,look to me like an early model ,it also have the retractable antenna instead of the (intregated windshield one) which is a pretty good indication it's an early model .Also hard to see by the pic but look like you have the early interior.I'll take a guess (83-85).You can send your VIN # to Auto Atlanta - Porsche Parts and Accessories they will decipher it for you.

[Catamax944]

Hi and welcome,

That is definetely an early 944, it's either a '82 or '83 .
I am almoust positive you misread your VIN ,it's incorect WPOZZZ94Z0N400134 ,take a look at it again ,that 0 is either a "C" or "D" .
How come you got a LHD 944 from Germany ,there are some many great 944's in Uk for so litle money ?
Where in Uk are you located ,i'm moving to London this autum and i will bring my 944 with me ,i will have to do the same thing you are right now,i could use your help , some things are a bit unclear to me.

[amscerp]

Originally Posted by Catamax944

Hi and welcome,

That is definetely an early 944, it's either a '82 or '83 .
I am almoust positive you misread your VIN ,it's incorect WPOZZZ94Z0N400134 ,take a look at it again ,that 0 is either a "C" or "D" .
How come you got a LHD 944 from Germany ,there are some many great 944's in Uk for so litle money ?
Where in Uk are you located ,i'm moving to London this autum and i will bring my 944 with me ,i will have to do the same thing you are right now,i could use your help , some things are a bit unclear to me.

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the help so far.

The guy who used to own it was a Soldier in Germany. Some how it came over here, a guy who I know picked it up as a non-runner. It has sat for 8 or 9 years and not turned a wheel!

I have got it going with my little knowledge and lots of help from looking at the diagrams and other articles I have found on here (thanks a lot guys)

But after (Hopefully) it gets the MOT then I have to send it to DVLA at Swansea to get it registered here. And to do that I need the year of manufacture.

Once again thanks for the help so far.

Geoff

[89-944NA]

Under the hood on the left fender (may be in other location on the early cars, like possibly the door jam) is the manufacturer decal, it will tell you the VIN and the month and year of manufacture. It's a black decal about 4" long 2" wide, and the manufacture date will be printed as month and year (11/87...November 1987 is a 1988 model year).

I believe that Porsche starts building the new model year in August (say 8/87 for M/Y 1988)......Anyone out there that can verify this please help out here. What is the earliest month for the model year?

[amscerp]

Originally Posted by Catamax944

I am almoust positive you misread your VIN , it's incorect, WPOZZZ94Z0N400134 ,take a look at it again ,that 0 is either a "C" or "D"

You are spot on thanks ...... I had another look, and I mis-read the thing. To be honest it looked like a Zero to me, but it is a badly formed "D" so, it is as I thought and it is an '83 model

I found a really good web site for checking what it may or may need for the U.K MOT MOT Checks List | MOT Test Guide | Guide to the MOT

So.... hope to have it on the road soon