VIN Information | FerrariChat

VIN Information

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Impactco, Feb 1, 2006.

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  1. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    I have read the various turorials on how to read Ferrari VIN's but I can't find any information on how to determine the production year for Euro cars from the VIN. The VIN on the 308 QV I am purchasing is: ZFFLA13B000055057

    What year production is this? The current owner says it's an '85. Any help greatly appreciated.
     
  2. bmiller411

    bmiller411 Formula Junior

    May 6, 2004
    405
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bruce B Miller
    Contact Lloyd W. Shaw<[email protected]>

    He has a formula on US autos and should have one on the Euros

    http://www.ferrariclub.com/faq/vin.html
     
  3. CornellCars

    CornellCars Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2005
    1,102
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Jason
    The practice of Euro VIN numbers being *B000 is pretty standard, and does not identify the year of the car for some reason. I would contact Dick Merritt at DOT/Compliance, he is usually a great resource for verification of European cars. Also, there should be manufacturer plates on the door sills etc, right?
     
  4. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    Michael... Jason is right... But 55057 is a 1984 European model 308 GTS QV, red with black interior, with about 24,000 miles back in 2004...
     
  5. CornellCars

    CornellCars Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2005
    1,102
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Jason
    Of course, Dick ain't got nothin' on NNO's catalogue! Nice follow up Carbon!
     
  6. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 22, 2002
    1,881
    NOLA/Covington
    Full Name:
    Wade
    Michael check out my site www.308qvregister.com you may find some helpfull info there.


    Also, please enter your cars info in the register.


    Thank You


    Wade
     
  7. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 22, 2002
    1,881
    NOLA/Covington
    Full Name:
    Wade
    Cabon there is no way that car can be an 84, the chassis # is way too late.
    I have info on the car back from 1986 but it is at my home, when I get there I will post the info.
    That chassis # is a Dec. 1984 production so it would be a 85 M Y

    Wade
    www.308qvregister.com
     
  8. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    Ah...! Take that back...! You'll curse me...! LOL...

    Richard F. Merritt is the man...! He should definitely be consulted with any questions anyone has about this sort of thing... I just happen to have access to some pretty cool information...
     
  9. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    Wow, you guys are really on the ball - thanks for all the feedback! I talked to Dick Merritt this morning and the car has a clear DOT status. He said that the car came into New York in Feb '85 but he couldn't confirm the 84 or 85 model year. I'm closing the deal on this car tomorrow so I wanted to be sure it really was an '85. Looks like you guys have confirmed it. Any more info any of you have on this VIN would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
     
  10. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    Michael...

    It's an '84 Euro car... Not '85...

    Only other information I see on this car is the following:

    ZFFLA13B000055057, 1984 European model 308 GTS QV. Offered for sale in early 1986 by a gentleman in Paterson, NJ. Listed as red with black leather, front and rear spoilers, P7s, air, Becker AM/FM/cassette, genuine lambswool seat covers, p/w, p/dl. Original owner, full maintenance history, 5,800 miles.

    Then in late 2004, it was up for sale at Silicon Valley Auto Group in Los Gatos, CA. They listed it as red with black interior. MOMO steering wheel, removable fiberglass roof panel, a/c, p/w and AM/FM. 24,000 miles.
     
  11. CornellCars

    CornellCars Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2005
    1,102
    South Florida
    Full Name:
    Jason
    There are obviously some questions here about 84 vs 85, but production date notwithstanding, the most important question is regarding the title (especially if you are very close to purchasing; you'd want to see that either way!)...make sure you get a copy of the title and that will tell you what year the car is on paper regardless of build date or advertised date. I'm going to guess that it's an '84 as 2 advertisements shown by Carbon list it as such, and probably have referenced the year based on title...
     
  12. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 22, 2002
    1,881
    NOLA/Covington
    Full Name:
    Wade
    Ok Carbon you are somewhat correct.

    The Euro model cars tend to be titled according to production date. So if the car was built in 1984 it will be titled in 1984.

    The US model cars have it a littel different. They are titled by model/production year. If this car was built post Sept. 1984 and a US version it would be titled as 1985. I am not sure why they do it this way but there are. So if this car was a US version it would be titled as a 1985 just like the 150+ cars that were built prior to this car and are titled as 1985

    So the title may say 1984, Carbons info may say 1984 but according to production and to follow the numbers this is a 1985 Model.


    Wade
     
  13. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    It's not them, it's us. As far as I know, the US is the only country that does "model" years...

    I have a bunch of other cars built after this one, all 1984 European model cars... If they were US-spec cars, they'd be 1985 model year cars... But if they're Euro spec and made in 1984, they're definitely 1984 cars...
     
  14. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    Ok guys I have a cashiers check in hand for closing this deal tomorrow. If the car is an '84 and not an '85, I think I'm paying too much for it. If it's an '84, how much less is it worth in the market than an equivalent '85? The car is listed here:

    http://www.308qvregister.com/WebMainPages/1985%20GTS.htm

    - Serial # 55057 - as an '85. The first chassis # in this list is 52381 listed as an '85. The Ferrari factory sticker in the car with the correct VIN shows it as an '85 car. The DOT info shows '85.

    I need a definitive answer to this ASAP since tomorrow is the day! I appreciate the help.
     
  15. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 22, 2002
    1,881
    NOLA/Covington
    Full Name:
    Wade
    Michael,

    The car is for all intent and purposes is an 85. the way it was titled when it came into the country does not really matter. It is all about how each country designates model year. The car is in the US and is US compliant. The car is an 85. The production date states it. If I were you, I would use the fact that the car was "incorrectly titled upon entry to US" as a negoiating point if you are concerned with the price. For your satisfaction, since the production month is Dec. 1984 this car will have all updates for the1985 model year. So go with it, If you feel you are paying too much for the car then don't buy it. Remember, a Ferrari is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

    I hope this helps

    Wade
     
  16. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 22, 2002
    1,881
    NOLA/Covington
    Full Name:
    Wade
    Just wanted to add,

    I have information on several hundred if not a couple of thousand 308's , some of them Euro and some US cars, some Swiss, etc etc.

    I have seen many many many cars titled a year before and a year after. I have seen 85 308's titled as 86. I have seen 1999 360's titled as 2000. I would not worry about what the title says.

    this happens constantly with conversion shops and will probably continue to happen.

    Like Carbon concured, we do it differently here in the US.


    Wade
     
  17. Impactco

    Impactco Formula 3

    Jan 29, 2006
    1,615
    Thanks for all your help guys. I'm finalizing the purchase today and taking delivery of the car on Saturday.
     
  18. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    Congratulations...!!! Be sure to post pictures...
     
  19. 308nut

    308nut Formula 3
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 22, 2002
    1,881
    NOLA/Covington
    Full Name:
    Wade
    Well done Michael and congrats on your purchase. if you have driven a few 308's ou will find that the Euro is a bit faster than the US version. Take a few pics and make sure to enter updated info into my register.


    Wade

    www.308qvregister.com
    www.autocorsa.com
    www.f512m.com
     

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