Very Odd VIN Number

It's probably a euro(other) version that never had a real US 17-digit VIN, and they just made one up for the US paperwork. Was/is it an imported car? Is it carbed or injected (i.e., is "1981" the model year or just the year of importation)? Any corresponding labeling in the door jamb? Is it "perfect" US version emission-wise in the engine bay?

 

I would check the number stamped on the frame in the engine bay.

 

One other possibility might be squeaking a car thru just before the 17-digit VIN was required. The online sources say the US NHTSA required the 17-digit VIN starting in 1981, but maybe a 1981 sold in late 1980? Just a thought...
Using the VIN decoders, you could construct the technically correct 17-digit VIN for a US 308GTSi 1981 model year for that SN chassis, and then search the internet?

 

Interesting. I have a 1979 Porsche 911 and the last 4 are 1979.

 

That would be my guess also, because the chassis number (# 35845) falls towards the end of the period where Ferrari was introducing the 17 digit VIN for EURO 308s; (almost) all the carbed 308s didn't have one, including the very last cars which are in the 34xxx range.
(the "(almost) is for the exception, as said many times, of the last dozen or so Right Hand Drive carbed GTBs for the UK, which were the first euro cars of the 308 series to have 17 digit VIN; as did the last dozen or so of RHD 308GT4, which, furthermore are the only cars in the world to have their VIN starting with the famous "ZDF" letters, not "ZFF", showing that they were from a distinct brand, that is: "Dino")

But that being said...it's nevertheless slightly odd, because my understanding, until this car that is, was that all "2-valve injected" had a full "standard" 17-digit VIN (by standard, I mean one starting by "ZFF"). The use of the full 17 digit VIN started for 308s with the first 2-valve injected, which was a US car, and started in the 31xxx series if my memory, etc...It started earlier at Ferrari, with the "400", again if my memory, etc...
So it's the first occurrence for me of a "2-valve injected" not having a standard 17-position VIN (= starting with "ZFF"); considering that the last carbed cars in the 34xxx didn't have one, it would be coherent with the period of change, but slightly surprising.
But again: never say never with Ferrari, especially for the year 1980 production (= calendar year: Jan 1st to Dec 31st), which is difficult to decipher.

I absolutely concur with "Thorn" above: picture of the number punched on the chassis bar in the engine compartment, please...

Rgds

 

I ran into this when I brought my first 5 digit VIN Ferrari to Texas.

The State Handbook at the Tax Office was "looking for" the Model Designation, to begin the VIN!
That's what we see here.....
As my cars had never been previously titled that way, a three day comedy began that included a Police Department confirmation of the stamped VIN

1981 was indeed that advent of the modern VIN system, but as we see, that one does not comply with that.

 

"2B, or not 2B, that is the question....."

Someone was having fun that day......

 

My Scirocco was built May 1980 and does not have the 17 character VIN.

 

2B in that position would be consistent with a Euro 308 GTSi

 

Well it obviously has a correct 17 digit VIN as shown in your pictures. I’d tell your friend to get a VIN inspection done and have it corrected on all future paperwork.

 

+1 - that 17-digit VIN decodes perfectly as a 1981 GTSi US version.

 

Ah...yes.....

Only my experience with Texas would have supported the change to put the "model" there....I resisted, and kept my 5 digit VIN!

And met some nice guys at HPD Auto Theft, which might be handy some day.

 

I was a European new motorcycle and used car dealer in California from 1981 through 2002. The 17 digit VIN program started in 1980, but small volume manufacturers did not have to comply until 1983. There were some "very late 1982" new vehicles registered for a number of years. Since the new 17 digit VIN contained check digits for comformance with emissions and safety standards, there were those creative souls who could create serial numbers that passed the DMV checks, although later checks could invalidate a previous registration.