Building Porsche 914 in Europe with some mods, Modified engine, wiring, interior - new project Options

[rick 918-S]

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[Pyetookh]

Gentlemen, can anyone give more information from my ID plate, please? I only know this is 1971 1.7L. There are no other plates or labels on my car and it´s repainted in black.
Thank you

It would be helpful to have the body number... Normally on a "Karmann" plate on the drivers side forward door jamb, which also has the original color number. If you say that plate is missing, you might also find the body number stamped into the sheet metal of the floor of the rear trunk under the carpet. It's not extremely visible, here's what mine looks like:


The body number can be decoded to find the date of maunfacture. Otherwise, with the complete VIN number (including the last numbers blacked out), maybe one of the historians can provide more info.

Fantastic! Thank you for your reply.
Yes. Unfortunately "Karmann" plate is gone. But I´ll try to locate the stamped body number.
I´m very sorry, wasn´t sure if posting full VIN number is a good practice here.
Here´s my full VIN if "historians" can do their magic.

I managed to find my "Karmann plate" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)


But was lucky with the stamped body number (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party.gif)


Do we think we can find some information about my car now, please? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[chmillman]

Is that 1129586?

If so:

Body number decode:
1129586

First number or two numbers is week of year.
second or third number is day of the week.
9 indicates Karmann factory.
5 indicates the first hundred cars for day. 6 used if exceeds 100
last two numbers indicate which number car it was for the day.

So
11 = week 11 Monday, March 15, 1971, to Sunday, March 21, 1971
2 = Tuesday 16 March
9 = Karmann
5 = First 100 cars of the day
86 = 86th car of the day

However the VIN number does not appear to be in the 914World database
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=membervins

BTW, if you carefully pull the Karman plate and use some paint remover, you might see the numbers as they were engraved. Would also tell you the original paint color code.

[wonkipop]

Is that 1129586?

If so:

Body number decode:
1129586

First number or two numbers is week of year.
second or third number is day of the week.
9 indicates Karmann factory.
5 indicates the first hundred cars for day. 6 used if exceeds 100
last two numbers indicate which number car it was for the day.

So
11 = week 11 Monday, March 15, 1971, to Sunday, March 21, 1971
2 = Tuesday 16 March
9 = Karmann
5 = First 100 cars of the day
86 = 86th car of the day

However the VIN number does not appear to be in the 914World database
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=membervins

BTW, if you carefully pull the Karman plate and use some paint remover, you might see the numbers as they were engraved. Would also tell you the original paint color code.

don't think its 11 at the start of that body stamp for VW production plate number.
using Vin data base here you can get close to OP vin of 07729.
914world vin data has a 07746 and VWpp# is 4459577.
the first number of the stamped number is really hard to discern accurately from photo posted and the second number is a little bit clearer but not much.
my bet is its actually 44 going off close proximity to vin and vwpp# that is 17 cars different.

which would make it a tuesday car of the 44th week of calendar year 1970.
model year 71 being from aug 70 to june 71. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[chmillman]

If so:

Body number decode:
1129586

First number or two numbers is week of year.
second or third number is day of the week.
9 indicates Karmann factory.
5 indicates the first hundred cars for day. 6 used if exceeds 100
last two numbers indicate which number car it was for the day.


don't think its 11 at the start of that body stamp for VW production plate number.
using Vin data base here you can get close to OP vin of 07729.
914world vin data has a 07746 and VWpp# is 4459577.
the first number of the stamped number is really hard to discern accurately from photo posted and the second number is a little bit clearer but not much.
my bet is its actually 44 going off close proximity to vin and vwpp# that is 17 cars different.

which would make it a tuesday car of the 44th week of calendar year 1970.
model year 71 being from aug 70 to june 71. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Well, if you can get ‘44’ as the first two numbers, you’re a better man than I… if you look at my stamping - which actually does begin with 44 totally coincidentally - you can see the angle of the ‘4’ looks quite a bit steeper… Anyway, maybe trying to remove the paint from the painted over Karmann plate might give you more clues…

[wonkipop]

If so:

Body number decode:
1129586

First number or two numbers is week of year.
second or third number is day of the week.
9 indicates Karmann factory.
5 indicates the first hundred cars for day. 6 used if exceeds 100
last two numbers indicate which number car it was for the day.


don't think its 11 at the start of that body stamp for VW production plate number.
using Vin data base here you can get close to OP vin of 07729.
914world vin data has a 07746 and VWpp# is 4459577.
the first number of the stamped number is really hard to discern accurately from photo posted and the second number is a little bit clearer but not much.
my bet is its actually 44 going off close proximity to vin and vwpp# that is 17 cars different.

which would make it a tuesday car of the 44th week of calendar year 1970.
model year 71 being from aug 70 to june 71. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Well, if you can get ‘44’ as the first two numbers, you’re a better man than I… if you look at my stamping - which actually does begin with 44 totally coincidentally - you can see the angle of the ‘4’ looks quite a bit steeper… Anyway, maybe trying to remove the paint from the painted over Karmann plate might give you more clues…

using the vin register. the 11 for a march 71 build equates to a vin in the 11204 vicinity. see 11204 on world vin register with vwpp# 1139544. in other words the next day from the OP's vwpp if its an 11 and not a 44 as first two numbers. there are a few either side of 11204 vin also with the vwpp#s in the 11 first two numbers range.

what i can see is the top third of two 4s with the rest of both numbers obliterated either by surface rust that has been treated and painted over or a dent from below.
44 equates with his vin and the range it would be in.

only other explanation is a car that got pulled off the line and sat for 8 + 11 weeks (close to 4-5 months before it got rectified and given a vin. i think that would be less likely than 44 being the number not 11. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

one way to know a bit more clearly is to clean the overpaint off the karmann plate.
or if its got its original dash that has not been molested to look up there. the number will be visible in crayon on the underside of the metal dash frame. takes a bit of looking to see it and find it but its usually there as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[SO.O.C914er]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) This is awesome keep it going. You will enjoy the drive (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Pyetookh]

If so:

Body number decode:
1129586

First number or two numbers is week of year.
second or third number is day of the week.
9 indicates Karmann factory.
5 indicates the first hundred cars for day. 6 used if exceeds 100
last two numbers indicate which number car it was for the day.


don't think its 11 at the start of that body stamp for VW production plate number.
using Vin data base here you can get close to OP vin of 07729.
914world vin data has a 07746 and VWpp# is 4459577.
the first number of the stamped number is really hard to discern accurately from photo posted and the second number is a little bit clearer but not much.
my bet is its actually 44 going off close proximity to vin and vwpp# that is 17 cars different.

which would make it a tuesday car of the 44th week of calendar year 1970.
model year 71 being from aug 70 to june 71. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Well, if you can get ‘44’ as the first two numbers, you’re a better man than I… if you look at my stamping - which actually does begin with 44 totally coincidentally - you can see the angle of the ‘4’ looks quite a bit steeper… Anyway, maybe trying to remove the paint from the painted over Karmann plate might give you more clues…

using the vin register. the 11 for a march 71 build equates to a vin in the 11204 vicinity. see 11204 on world vin register with vwpp# 1139544. in other words the next day from the OP's vwpp if its an 11 and not a 44 as first two numbers. there are a few either side of 11204 vin also with the vwpp#s in the 11 first two numbers range.

what i can see is the top third of two 4s with the rest of both numbers obliterated either by surface rust that has been treated and painted over or a dent from below.
44 equates with his vin and the range it would be in.

only other explanation is a car that got pulled off the line and sat for 8 + 11 weeks (close to 4-5 months before it got rectified and given a vin. i think that would be less likely than 44 being the number not 11. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

one way to know a bit more clearly is to clean the overpaint off the karmann plate.
or if its got its original dash that has not been molested to look up there. the number will be visible in crayon on the underside of the metal dash frame. takes a bit of looking to see it and find it but its usually there as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

You are amazing group of people! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smlove2.gif)

It´s always very sad to own a historic car without its story (IMG:style_emoticons/default/13.gif)
My car probably travelled the world - Made in Germany (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_flagge6.gif) Exported to US (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif) Imported to Greece (probably partially restored and resprayed there, registered as historic car with FIVA) and then moved to Czech Republic probably in 2018 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_flagge24.gif) where it started another proper restoration by someone who died half way through. Porsche was bought by me 1 month ago and my mission is to bring it back to the road. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

The first stamped number is maybe 1 but it can be also something with round bottom part (5). I promise to try to clear the number hopefully tonight and post another picture. The second number is 1

I´ll try to clear the paint off my "Karmann plate" but it can take some time due to my oncomming Xmas travelling.

This is the only printed document I have (Don´t have previous owner´s permission to share his name and address). Indicated year is clearly incorrect.

[chmillman]

Doing a search in the 914World VIN database:

4712907720 (nine numbers previous) is found (sold as roller/parts car) and was a 1.7 delivered to the US, the description says made 12/70... No chassis number in the description.

4712907746 (seventeen numbers above) is the next one found, the chassis number is stated as 4459577, the description also says made 12/70...


So that might support the number starting with 44... However week 44 of 1970 is the last week in October, not December as the register build dates indicate.

The second entry which has a VIN after the OP's and has a chassis number of 44xxx would however seem to indicate that the car was indeed manufactured before Nov. 1st 1970. Maybe week 41 ? which would be the second week in October of 1970...

[Pyetookh]

And the winner is ....... Mr. chmillman (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)


I also removed driver´s door and stripped Karmann plate. This confirms body number 1129586 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[chmillman]

Cool! OK, so I assume my original decode is correct? Made in March of 1971?

Doesn't quite explain the VIN number, but I don't know how those are attributed.

Your original color is L13K - Sunflower yellow. Looks like the black sunflower spots grew to cover the whole car... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I do see a touch of yellow under the black where you sanded the number in the trunk...

[Pyetookh]

Cool! OK, so I assume my original decode is correct? Made in March of 1971?

Doesn't quite explain the VIN number, but I don't know how those are attributed.

Your original color is L13K - Sunflower yellow. Looks like the black sunflower spots grew to cover the whole car... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I do see a touch of yellow under the black where you sanded the number in the trunk...

Your guide to locate body number and Karmann plate helped. Many thanks.
Shame it can´t help to identify what wheels and interior trim and other extras it was supplied with and who was the original owner.
Yellow colour is lurking everywhere - boot, trunk, under door cards etc.
Me and my wife already have black, yellow and red cars. I´m ready to respray 914 but still unsure to what colour. I´m seriously considering blue or modern grey.

[Pyetookh]

Funny enough L13K is listed only for 1974 but my car is 1971. Can someone explain it, please?
This car has proper VIN and rivetted label so it must be genuine 1971 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[chmillman]

Yeah, that is odd. L13K is also listed for 73, but not 71. One wonders if someone put on a repro body plate at some point… Total mystery.

[JeffBowlsby]

Lets figure out your model year.

Does your front trunk look like the white or yellow car below?

[Pyetookh]

Lets figure out your model year.

Does your front trunk look like the white or yellow car below?

Yellow example, please.
This is my frunk:

There are some hints of the original Sunflower yellow in hidden corners too.

[chmillman]

You need to lift the trunk floorboard to see what’s underneath.

If your car was originally made for the US market and delivered directly in the US, then there is the following: in ‘73 the curved reinforcement you see in the frunk on the white car above was added to the US models along with the bumper horns. However, the Euro models did not get either of those - mine is a 74 delivered in France and has neither.

I see both holes in the sheet metal near the headlight area, the reinforcement seems to hide the front most one in the pic above, so it looks to be absent.

Add to that that there are no side marker lights on yours - unique to the US models I think. They may well have been removed however. Do you see any evidence of that - patch welded in where they should be? I’m just wondering if it’s certain that the car was originally delivered in the US. If so, and the reinforcement is not there, it’s highly likely that it’s pre-73.

But of course I defer to the real experts…

[Pyetookh]

Very sorry. Wrong picture.
No brace there

[burton73]

@Pyetookh


Sorry that I missed this, but I have been following this. Welcome to the world.

Best Bob B
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)