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Posted by: RohJay Jul 11 2007, 09:07 AM

Curious about the build date of my car - vin. 4702903752
Unfortunately the door jamb sticker is not there anymore

I there a database that gives date by vin?

I'm really hoping it was built on January 27, 1970 - which is My Birthdate!!

Wouldn't that be super cool???

Posted by: TROJANMAN Jul 11 2007, 09:09 AM

1970 914/4 4702900001 – 4702913312
1970 914/6 9140430001 – 9140432668
1971 914/4 4712900001 – 4712916231
1971 914/6 9141430001 – 9141430443
1972 914/4 4722900001 – 4722921580
1972 914/6 9142430001 – 9142430240
1972 916 9142330011 – 9142330020
1973 914/4 4732900001 – 4732927660
1974 914/4 4742900001 – 4742921370
1975 914/4 4752900001 – 4752911368
1976 914/4 4762900001 – 4762904100


I'm not sure how decipher build date without the sticker, but I think there is a way

Posted by: Ferg Jul 11 2007, 09:14 AM

Go to the 914 info tab, and go to the members VIN numbers section.

Find someone who has a VIN number close to yours and ask them when their build date is to narrow it down... you should be able to get it down to the month.

Ferg

Posted by: TROJANMAN Jul 11 2007, 09:20 AM

Isn't there a way to figure it from the numbers alone?
I remember Rex spouting something off to me once.

You can also try posting this in the concours forum. Probably more info there.

Posted by: davep Jul 11 2007, 09:44 AM

It was built (completed) in February, but I cannot be more specific.
Provide me with the data from the Karmann badge on the drivers door hinge post (paint & body #). The body number can tell me the day the body was welded up.

Posted by: So.Cal.914 Jul 11 2007, 11:44 AM

Good to see you on again, the news told about the big flood you had there and then

didn't see you on again. Hope all is well.

Posted by: Joe Ricard Jul 11 2007, 11:45 AM

The Red Neck Racer is Number 945 and it was built Jan 70. I briefly had "The Stripper" 5665 it was built in May 70. Rob Watson has it now.

Posted by: RohJay Jul 11 2007, 01:06 PM

Thanks All!, I very much appreciate the input.

davep's assertion pretty much ends my fantasy of a shared birthdate.

@davep:
Unfortunately no Karmann plate either, just the vin no. on the LH windshield frame and Volkswagenwerk plate below RH headlamp
But february's close enough, considering what i was after.

@So.Ca.914
Thanks for your concern Paul, the area i reside in was not affected by the floods. But as always plenty of other "dangers" abound. All part and parcel of life in Sri Lanka

Posted by: johnlush Jul 11 2007, 01:08 PM

Interesting - my 5764 shows a 03/70 build date.

John

Posted by: bondo Jul 11 2007, 01:11 PM

I think the Karmann number is also stamped in the right rear of the floor of the rear trunk. You may have to clear away some rust to be able to read it.

Posted by: RohJay Jul 12 2007, 08:56 AM

Royce, Thanks for the tip.. So it is there!

I can make out - 6419562.

can you make anything out of that davep??

Posted by: davep Jul 12 2007, 09:12 AM

Royce is nearly correct. The body number in the rear trunk should be in front of the trunk lock for 1970 (form xxy95zz or xxy96zz). That number may yet be your birthday.

John, your build date is correct.
Joe, 0945 should be 12/69, and 5665 should be 03/70
Please provide the paint codes and body numbers for me. I really need them.

Dave

Posted by: RohJay Jul 12 2007, 10:03 AM

Dave,

I think i have all the required data now.
car has been re-painted but i see traces of silver metallic underneath
So can you please check for:

VIN. - 4702903752
Body no. - 641 95 62.
Color - L96D

Thanks,
Rohantha

Posted by: Grelber Jul 12 2007, 10:20 AM

If this helps, a friend of mine in Austin (not a non-member) has # 4702902791 with a January '70 build date. He's the second owner, and bought it in 1976.

Posted by: davep Jul 12 2007, 11:22 AM

6419562 should be 0419562
this translates to week 4 of January 1970 and day 2
I don't have enough data to be sure what week number corresponds to what dates. So it could be Jan 19 or Jan 26. I'll let you choose.
It also says it was the 62'nd body welded up that day.

Hey Ron, please see if you can get more data on 2791.
As always, the VIN, body #, paint code and decal date code are most important. Then engine & tranny #'s, the interior color, and any options.
The more data I get, the better I can answer these questions.

Posted by: johnlush Jul 12 2007, 11:29 AM

Dave, Here's the rest of the info from my '70:

VIN. - 470295764
Body no. - 1219535
Color - L96D

Posted by: RohJay Jul 13 2007, 06:41 AM

Ok Dave i think we are on target here, Seemed so improbable at first. but i'm inclined to believe it was FINISHED on my birthdate of 27th Jan, 1970.

Here's my rationale:

1st of Jan 1970 was a Thursday.
As that is midweek, the first 3 days of Jan 1970 would presumably be counted as part of the 4th week of Dec 1969.
So the 1st week of Jan 1970 would begin from Sunday the 4th.
Working down the month, 4th week would begin on 25th Sunday.
Being 2nd day of week 4, makes Monday January 26th the build date for the BODY.

As you say it was the 62nd body for that day, i would think the body was done towards the latter part of the day.
Which would mean the car was probably completed only the following day, being Tuesday 27th January, 1970 - My Birthdate!

Of course i am making several assumptions. But i do think there's is a very strong possibility.

Your thoughts?

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 13 2007, 11:18 AM

you really want to know?


PS: they weren't even thinking about the 914 yet when i was born ...

Posted by: davep Jul 13 2007, 12:11 PM

Well, I really do hate to spoil your dream, however here are some facts and some assumptions of my own.
Fact: body numbers were assigned during the construction phase, and before painting (numbers stamped into the rear trunk floor are painted over).
Fact: VIN's and body numbers are not well synchronized, they jump back and forth significantly.
Fact: Paint codes and body numbers are better synchronized than paint codes and VIN's.
Fact: Significant time delays are seen between the body date and the build date.
Assumption: Bodies were painted shortly after being welded up. Bodies were painted in batches of one color (too expensive to clean up a paint booth to change colors for each car). Thus bodies were warehoused between painting and final assembly.
Fact: 4702903114 has build date of 01/70 last I know of
4702903384 has build date of 02/70 first I know of
4702903752 is at least 368 cars into February production
4702904992 has build date of 02/70 last I know of
Assumption: If we assume February started at 3200 and went to 5000, that would mean about 1800 produced in 20 days or an average of 90 per day. That would put your car 4 or 5 days into February production. So one could guesstimate that it took at least two weeks from welding the body up to finishing it on the assembly line.

Posted by: RohJay Jul 14 2007, 08:24 AM

Damn! so much for that...
but i can assure you it was a GREAT feeling while it lasted

Thanks for the very interesting info on production practices.
I was way off in assuming a more streamlined process.

At least as consolation i know the key part, being the construction of body, was completed around the 27th.

All in all that's close enough, i'm still happy

Posted by: davep Jul 14 2007, 09:24 AM

All I can do is tell it like I see it. My research has spanned the last 20 years or so. Can you supply the engine and transmission numbers when you get a chance please.

Dave