bad vin on builders ID plate | FerrariChat

bad vin on builders ID plate

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by pmorin, Jun 23, 2004.

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  1. pmorin

    pmorin Karting

    May 14, 2004
    137
    Montreal Canada
    Full Name:
    P. Morin
  2. matkat

    matkat Formula 3

    Mar 18, 2003
    1,840
    Scotland
    Full Name:
    Dave McGuire
    it checks out as far as I can tell see below.

    How do I read Ferrari VIN numbers?
    Many Ferrari owners are interested in deciphering the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number that is inscribed on their Ferrari. The information from this FAQ is based on an article on the subject written by Lloyd W. Shaw.

    The Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984 became law on October 25, 1984. The standard applies to both major parts and all motor vehicles produced during the 1987 model year and all sequential models produced thereafter.

    The 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number must be inscribed on the engine, transmission, both front fenders, hood, both doors, both bumpers, both rear quarter panels and the decklid or hatchback (whichever is present). The VIN taken from the stated locations shall provide a true description of the vehicle to which it is assigned.

    All Ferrari models have the VIN embossed on a metal plate affixed to the top of steering column. An example of a Ferrari VIN is shown below, and the subsequent information and chart explains how to decode the label. The chart covers VINs starting in 1983.


    Z F F X D 2 1 A 9 G 0 0 3 8 0 9 9
    The first digit identifies the vehicle's country of origin. Italy's letter is "Z," therefore, all Ferrari VINs will begin with the letter "Z".

    The second and third digits identify the marque and manufacturer. To date, Ferrari SpA has been assigned and used only two codes. "DF" for the Dino, and "FF" for the Ferrari marques manufactured by Ferrari SpA. The Dino marque has not been produced since 1980, therefore "FF" will appear in the second and third place digits of all Ferrari VINs, unless you are looking at a Dino.

    The fourth digit identifies the engine type for a given model.


    A = 308 2-valve injected (U.S.A. model) L = 512 TR European
    B = 308 2-valve carb wet sump (Euro. model) M = 308 4-valve U.S.A. 1993
    C = 308 2-valve carb dry sump (Euro. model) M = F40 U.S.A.
    C = 328 European P = 288 GTO
    D = 512 Boxer carbureted P = F355
    E = 400 V-12 fuel injected R = 348 U.S.A.
    F = 308 Australia S = Testarossa U.S.A. / Japan
    F = 348 U.S.A. / Japan S = 456
    G = 308 2-valve carbureted U.S.A. / Japan T = Testarossa European
    G = F40 European U = 308 4-valve U.S.A. 1984-1985
    H = 308 2-valve injected European V = 512M
    J = 512 Boxer injected W = 328 European
    K = 208 Turbocharged European X = 328 U.S.A. / Japan
    K = 348 European Y = 412 V-12
    L = 308 4-valve European Z = 550 Marinello

    With only 26 letters available, it was necessary to recycle some of the letters. Always consider the entire 17 digit VIN to determine the type of engine, especially the sixth and seventh digits.

    The fifth digit is used to identify the vehicle's safety system.


    A = 3-point inertia belts for front
    B = 3-point inertia belts for front plus 3-point non-inertia belts for rear
    C = 3-point inertia belts for front plus 2-point inertia belts for rear
    D = 3-point inertia belts for front plus 3-point inertia belts for rear
    G = Passive restraint system
    P = Air bags and 3-point inertia belts for front plus inertia belts for rear
    M = Passive restraint system
    N = Automatic passive restraint system
    R = Air bags and 3-point inertia belts for front

    The sixth and seventh digits are used to idenitify the vehicle model or body type.


    01 = 308 GT4 (ZDF) 20 = 328 GTS
    01 = 308 GTBi (ZFF) 21 = 3.2 Mondial Coupe
    02 = 308 GTBi 24 = 412 Automatic
    03 = 308 GTB 25 = 412 5-Speed
    04 = 308 GTS 26 = 3.2 Mondial Cabriolet
    05 = 512 BB 27 = GTB Turbo
    06 = 400i Automatic 32 = Mondial T Coupe
    07 = 400i 5-Speed 33 = Mondial T Cabriolet
    08 = Mondial 8 34 = F40
    09 = 512BBi 35 = 348 B
    10 = 208 Turbo (B) 36 = 348 S
    11 = 208 Turbo (S) 40 = F512M
    12 = 308 GTB Quattrovalvole 41 = F355 Berlinetta
    13 = 308 GTS Quattrovalvole 42 = F355GTS
    14 = Mondial Quattrovalvole Coupe 43 = 348 Spider
    15 = Mondial Quattrovalvole Cabriolet 44 = 456 GT
    16 = 288GTO 48 = F355 Spider
    17 = Testarossa 49 = 550 Maranello
    19 = 328 GTB

    The eighth digit shows which market the vehicle was built for.


    A = Left-Hand drive vehicle for the U.S.A. market.
    B = Left-Hand drive vehicle for the European market.
    C = Right-Hand drive for the U.K. market.
    D = Right-Hand drive for the Australian market.
    J = Left-Hand drive vehicle.
    S = Left-Hand drive vehicle.
    T = In almost all cases originally sold in the Middle Eastern market.

    The ninth digit is a check digit used by law enforcement agencies to ensure that the VIN is valid. By using a very complicated formula involving the entire VIN, a law enforcement officer can determine if the VIN is correct for the vehicle being checked. Occasionally a letter, rather than a number, will appear in this space, but it will usually be a number between 1 and 9. In some cases, this number will be a zero on vehicles that were built for markets outside of the United States.

    The tenth digit is used to designate the year model for vehicles produced for the U.S. market.


    A = 1980 K = 1989
    B = 1981 L = 1990
    C = 1982 M = 1991
    D = 1983 N = 1992
    E = 1984 O = NOT USED
    F = 1985 P = 1993
    G = 1986 Q = NOT USED
    H = 1987 R = 1994
    I = NOT USED S = 1995
    J = 1988 T = 1996

    The eleventh digit is used to designate the company's plant location where the vehicle was produced. This digit should always be zero, since all Ferraris are produced in Maranello, Italy.

    The twelfth through seventeenth digits are production numbers in sequential order. This number should allow you to determine when the vehicle was produced in the production run.
     
  3. pmorin

    pmorin Karting

    May 14, 2004
    137
    Montreal Canada
    Full Name:
    P. Morin
    The checksum seems to be bad, according to carfax, autocheck and ebaymotors. All these site refuse the 1 as the checksum and accept a 5 instead.

    Patrick
     
  4. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,802
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    the vin on my 348 doesn't pass edit either but it is stamped all over the frame and the title so who knows?
     
  5. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,802
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    There is a formula to run the vin through to get the check digit
     
  6. 4re gt4

    4re gt4 Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2002
    2,279
    Roseburg, OR
    Full Name:
    Hans E. Hansen
    I've heard somewhere that some of the early 17char VINs on Ferraris had an invalid check digit. I think they were all "1".

    At some point they had to conform.
     
  7. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,802
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    These really aren't early 17 character vin's as mine is a 91
     
  8. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,017
    Groton, MA
    Full Name:
    Verell Boaen
    Euro 308s have a '0' for the check digit, at least my '82 does. Causes the computers to choke at the registry, dealers, repair shops, insurance company, you name it.

    Of course things start getting interesting when I verbally give them the VIN from memory. They don't believe I've got it memorized. Then they say 'the computer says you'r wrong, please show me the registration.' The look on their faces when the registration matches what I just gave them can be priceless... Then the fun of coaxing the system into accepting the VIN begins.

    It's an annual hassle come inspection time. The shop manager has to go into the computer & coax it into accepting the VIN. Seems to make them go thru more hoops every year to over-ride the checks. Took him 5 trys last year, he was getting PO'd at the system to say the least.
     
  9. 4re gt4

    4re gt4 Formula 3

    Apr 23, 2002
    2,279
    Roseburg, OR
    Full Name:
    Hans E. Hansen
    Slightly OT: I was waiting for a battle royale when I registered my 1975 GT4. The previous WA state title simply said "10280". However, Oregon DMV didn't choke at all.......
     
  10. wrs46

    wrs46 Formula 3

    May 19, 2005
    1,395
    QC, CANADA (&CH, &F)
    Full Name:
    Walter
    Had the same problem with my EuroMondi8 last year. Took an extra week to get it registered because the computer rejected the VIN...
     

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