Verification Tips:
I know it’s not for everyone, but I get a real kick out of verifying a cars background and provenance…
The VIN number is always a good place to start. Blondie’s “Fahrgestell-Nr” (Chassis Number or VIN) is stamped in the aluminium plate on the inside of the Left-hand (drivers side) guard, under the front hood. Blondie’s VIN is 9117601442.
The VIN is also stamped in the Australian compliance plate mounted on the floor of the (front) luggage compartment, near the driver’s side shock mount. The compliance date listed on the plate is 6/77.
In addition, the VIN is stamped directly into the floor panel in the (front) luggage compartment, near the above-mentioned Australian compliance plate. Although this is difficult to read, the following image clearly shows the majority of that number, thus conclusively identifying this car.
VIN Decoder information for Model Year 1970-79 and Porsche Models 911, 914/16, 924 and 928. The make-up of the VIN is as follows:
9117601442
- 911 – The first 3 digits indicate the 911 model.
- 7 – The fourth digit indicates Model Year (7 = MY 1977) – built after the Porsche factory summer holidays (August 1976), but before the start of the next summer holidays (July 1977).
- 6 – The fifth digit indicates the Production Version (6= Carrera 3.0).
- 0 – The sixth digit indicates the Model (0 = 911 Coupe).
- 1442 – The remaining 4 digits represent the Production Sequence Number. This is the 1,442nd vehicle manufactured in that model year. As there were only 1,473 Coupes built during M.Y. 1977, Blondie was likely one of the last batch.
If you’re interested in decoding your cars VIN, this link ‘Stuttcars.com’ is a great reference tool, and helps you to decode both early and late Porsche Models.
The engine serial number can also reveal lots. Blondie’s engine Serial Number is stamped in the Fan support (part of the engine case).
Carrera 3.0 Sportomatic cars are identifiable by the 4th engine number being a ‘9’ instead of ‘0’. Blondie’s engine number indicates a mismatch between the engine and the current gearbox, confirming that, what was the original 3-speed Sportomatic gearbox, has been replaced by a 5-speed manual gearbox – see notes in Transmission section below.
The Engine Type Number is 930/12
The Engine Type Number is stamped into the engine case housing facing upwards on the top of the motor, on the (RH) drivers side of the main pulley / fan. This is quite difficult to see because of the air conditioner. Luckily we had an LED torch and a fiber optic viewer. The stamping of this engine Type Number is interesting. As expected, this is a model 930 engine case. The subsequent digits are however a little unclear, either indicating an engine type of “/22”, or “/12”.
As we’ve been unable to find any references to a type “/22” engine in the Porsche literature, and, as the “1” appears to have been stamped over the top of the “2”, this is most likely the result of the “/22” having been incorrectly stamped, with the first “2” subsequently over-stamped with a “1”. The engine type 930/12 is correct for a 1976/77 Carrera 3.0 Sportomatic.
Verification – Blondie’s Transmission:
We know a 5-speed manual gearbox replaced Blondie’s original 3-speed Sportomatic gearbox. To verify the replacement transmission, we need the Serial Number & Type. These are stamped on the bottom of the transmission, they are:
Type: 915/61
and Number: 719 2381
This is a genuine Porsche (ZF) gearbox with the following specification:
911SC 1978-79, 5-speed synchronized transaxle, Plate-type, limited-slip differential available, Rod shift, Single-plate clutch.
Gear ratios:
1st: 3.18 (11/35)
2nd: 1.83 (18/33)
3rd: 1.26 (23/29)
4th: 1.00 (26/26)
5th: 0.82 (28/23)
Ring and pinion: 3.88 (8:31)
Note that these gearbox cases are Italian Cromodora castings. They are date-stamped, with the “78” at the top indicating a 1978 casting, and the subsequent 12 letters representing the months of the year (in Italian), the only differences to English being:
‘G’ for Gennaio = January
‘G’ for Giugno = June
‘L’ for Luglio = July
Note that the asterisk next to the ‘F’ indicates that this case was cast in February.
Oh and the latest on the restoration works… Blondie has been stripped and cleaned, and she’s off to have her paintwork lovingly restored!
By Peter Bosland
