914 VIN Decoding?

seventythree · 11:15 PM

OK guys, now I know I am getting old. I have a new appreciation for the phrase " I have forgotten more about 914s than ............"

In any case, some insurance underwriter is saying that a couple of his resources indicate that my factory original 2.0L is a 1.7L and, although that infuriates me, I no longer can readily lay my hands on anything that proves him wrong.

Now, who had a VIN decoder published and where the heck is it?

Regards

PS, is it even possible to tell a 2.0 from a 1.7 by the VIN, or is this guy yanking my chain? I just don't remember anymore!

DasBoot · 10-31-2008, 12:00 AM

Ask him to prove it.

This is a start: http://www.p914.com/p914_numbers.htm

GWN7 · 10-31-2008, 12:26 AM

You can't tell which engine came with your car by the vin, but you can tell what year it is and that narrows the choices.

Tell him he can order a COA from Porsche if he dosen't believe you. (let him pay the $120 for it)

djpateman · 10-31-2008, 07:54 AM

I agree. If all he has is the VIN, then the only possibility is that the VIN begins with 47029xxxxx, 47129xxxxx, 47229xxxxx, which were all 1.7 versions only.
If you need further expertise, contact me.

seventythree · 10-31-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djpateman

I agree. If all he has is the VIN, then the only possibility is that the VIN begins with 47029xxxxx, 47129xxxxx, 47229xxxxx, which were all 1.7 versions only.
If you need further expertise, contact me.

Yes, but didn't they make 1.7s in 73 as well? Wouldn't those have VINs starting with 473?

In any case, my VIN starts with 47329. Does that mean that it could only be a 2.0?

Thanks

Dan (almaden) · 10-31-2008, 08:27 AM

try checking the information here.....http://www.914world.com/specs/chasnrs.php

as far as I know, the only way to tell what engine is in the car is to check the serial number on the engine case.
your vin only tells you what year the car was built and whether it is a 4 or a 6
914 for a 6
47X for a 4

GWN7 · 10-31-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventythree

Yes, but didn't they make 1.7s in 73 as well? Wouldn't those have VINs starting with 473?

In any case, my VIN starts with 47329. Does that mean that it could only be a 2.0?

Thanks

Your car is a 73. A 4 cyl engine car.

In 73 Porsche offered a 1.7 and a 2.0 4 cyl engine.

As mentioned the only way to tell what is in the car is to read the serial number on the engine case.

The only way to tell what was in the car from the factory is to order the COA from Porsche (unless you have the original paperwork that came with the car).

djpateman · 10-31-2008, 01:13 PM

Bruce (GWN7) is absolutely correct. With the 47329xxxxx VIN you have proved it to be a 1973 model; that could either be a 1.7 or a 2.0
The insurance underwriter is an idiot.

Efikess · 05-17-2022, 07:59 PM

looking to authenticate a 914 with vin4732912614. how do I mak sure that it is "number matching" car?

Cairo94507 · Cairo94507's Garage

All the VIN will tell you is the model year, 1973. To determine if it is matching numbers, VIN, engine and transaxle that it was built with, in the distant past, you could get a COA, Certificate of Authenticity, from PCNA. Although they often had errors in them, it was a starting point. Nowadays, Porsche offers another document for a lot of money, where you provide your engine number, etc., and they will tell you if it is the correct engine...

Might be better off doing a Google search on your VIN or going over to 914World.com and checking their VIN registration section to see if your car is already listed in their data base. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=membervins&byYear=1973 I believe you may need to join the site to get to that search. Good luck in your search. A '73 is a great year for a 914.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Look at the intake bolts at the head. 4 bolts, 1.7. 3, 2.0.