308 FACTOIDS

BREAKDOWN OF THE V.I.N. CODE

To those of you who have a copy (or access) of Godfrey Eaton's The Complete Ferrari, pages 340-342 are devoted to Ferrari Designation and Numbering. It was while I first read the book in 1985 that I notice the V.I.N. explanation looked surprisingly familiar to my car's V.I.N. Naturally it got my attention and after going through his information I went to the Ferrari site to get a copy of service bulletin SB00-6 (see pdf below).

As noted by Eaton and the bulletin, one number was changed. The actual 308 series startS with 31309 (a 1980 GTSi) meaning the example ending in 21371 is not a 1980 308GTBi...BUT...V.I.N. ZFFAA01A7A0031371 does exist! The bulletin issue date of
March 7, 1980 further ties my car to the bulletin as my car was assembled at that time (V.I.N. is stamped March, 1980).

I am sure some will doubt my facts and I understand (see all conflicting info out there). Once you go through the coding, you will see that my car checks all boxes except the 6th number (USA Check Digit...0 entered, while mine is a 7).

ZFF = Ferrari A = 8 cyl. 3000 cc engine for USA 1980 model year) A = 3 point seat belt 01 = 308 GTBi A = left hand drive
Check Digit = 0 (mine is 7) Model Year = 0 means 1980 (1= 1981, 2=1982 etc.) 0= Main Factory ID 031371

The attachment below is the Ferrari Service Bulletin SB00-6 issued 03/07/80. It breaks down the new Vehicle Identification Number system and the explanation of the 17-digit alpha-numeric coding. It is clear and easy to follow if you wish to run your car number.

Hope you found this to be of use.
John

OOOPS!! I forgot to send page 18 of the Owner's Manual along with the cover giving the 1979-80 period. Here it is...
Also, I appreciate your use of CAPS and S P A C I N G. At my age (87) I need all the help I can get. If on the other hand, you think I am dense and slow of mind, I might take offense...Wait, I'm thinking....Thanks for the help.
John

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Yawn. I guess you must think any of this is new to us.

 

Perhaps, you might consider taking a more civil way of responding...I don't know you well enough to judged your comments and friendly banter or comments from someone who has all the answers. I would suggest you provide more actual usable info rather than negatives...I sincerely hope that you understand I would like to continue interacting in the days to come.
John

 

When I read your post the first thing I did was glance at your join date. That explained it.

Brian is Brian. Enjoy his banter and unimaginable wealth of knowledge. Soon you will see his value here above all else.

 

Thanks for setting me on the right road to take in the future. My best buddy from college just died and I miss our ongoing give-and-take. Looks like Brian might take up the slack.
Regards!
John

 

Sorry about your friend.

Soon you will be looking for his posts just to read them. Seriously, he is a tremendous asset here. Think high school football coach that knew his **** but was always breaking your balls, lol

 

This place has everything from globally famous researchers of Ferrari history to pretty experienced hobbiests and everything in between. One thing we all have in common, we understand it is all a work in progress and the more experienced keep an open mind about anything we consider fact. You come here with data you insist is correct to the exclusion of all else and are taken aback when some better informed suggest you are incorrect. I have been in the Ferrari business professionally 45 years and have little patience for those that insist on spreading poorly researched information. We are all happy to share and learn but knowallogists will have a hard time.

 

I guess we are at a loggerhead...I entered information that I gathered over the past 38 years of ownership, and wanted open discussion...I did not find that coming from you, which surprised me considering your time with FerrariChat. I did find the type of response you just leveled at me...You make very inflamatory statements that belittle those who have information of which you don't agree...I appreciate free and open discussion, but I don't appreciate your attitude...You have 45 years of experience and I would think in that time you would find a way of sharing/discussing it in a friendlier manner...You go ahead make judgement calls as to who I might be, what experience I might have gathered over the many years that I have had in marketing/sales/training and consulting. I 50 plus years of dealing with people and I find that, for whatever reason, you do not want to get along (by that I mean friendly discussion). I cannot stop you from expressing your position, so please continue to answer anything I might post. I hope one day you will be able to make this work. Sorry, but I tried to defuse your comments with an explanation of what offended me. You choose to continue the disagreement...I am sorry for things to turn out this way, but i cannot apologize for the situation. No hard feelings and I wish you well.
John

 

My first post, politely asking a question never answered .


Out of curiosity, where did you get the number? Ferrari themselves are notorious for incorrect information.

I had never counted before but I have among other things a data base of US version Ferraris for a few years.
I just counted. It shows 51 1980 US version GTBi's . All with 17 digit VINs.

 

I don't know what happened to the attachment, so it is attached below...I never got anything that showed how you arrived at 51...I have found over the years searching for answers the hardest hurdle to clear is finding information that coincide with other findings. The sheet below showed the most complete count by years 1975-1985 that I was able to give credence. Please,share your data with me. Maybe together we can straighten out this company's records...(pipe dream, but I've got time).
Let me know if you don't get the attachment.
John

 

I found the original response (#7) that should have had the worksheet on build by year. Again, let's start fresh as we both like Ferraris too much to argue. My car was written up in the MARanello issue and introduced by Ron Johnson of the Mid Atlantic Region.
Have a good evening!
John






John

 

A couple of the photos in question are below.

Ferrari's build-rate was about eight 308s per day (1,600 per year divided by 200 workdays per year).

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Great shots...Any like it from the 1979-80 time-frame when both cab and injected engines were being made? Just curious as my car was made March, 1980 using the 1979 body/chassis (14" Campagnolo wheels, XWX 205/70 tires, Nardi aluminum steering wheel, GTB on the dash and GTBi on the rear, aluminum air plenum, clock & oil temp mounted vertically ahead of console etc).

 

Just thought I'd say hello, since it's been some time since we spared around over production numbers...It's been interesting and kind of fun, but it is time to admit I have not found any further info that clears the air...In other words, you were right...Year 1980 is an enigma, and since I'll be 88 in May I have to move on and just continue to enjoy my car (she turned 44 this month)...Have a great year!
Best Regards,
John