I agree with 2281GT, since that number "1" appear in this thread, I really want to see a picture in case you can do one. Because, we have US GTB 21711 with 332A and US GTB 22027 with 423A so your chassis might be in that two numbers.... One owner here has Euro GTS 59273, these two chassis are very close even if yours may have been finished and delivered after an upper chassis number. it may be possible.
I am only referring to the registry where someone put the number in that column Image Unavailable, Please Login
Markus, I know this number actually doesn't make sense. It had been supplied by a previous owner of Jason's car. I also look forward to seeing a picture of the assembly number taken by Jason. Robert
Topcarbon, Not that this bares any relevants, I was staying in Pier 66 in Lauderdale in '88 when a Testarossa pulled up with the number 1 number plate (Arizona). Just of interest, maybe?
Yes, I am aware of 59273. It is a strange/unexplainable VIN as it is outside the production range of the 308, which according to all sources I have seen (including Ferrari) ended production with a Swiss GTS, VIN 59265. Also adding to the mystery of the VIN 59273 is that it has a production date of 04/85...which is much earlier in the production year.
Maybe the owner can post some more details about the car. He's on F-Chat. Concerning the chassis number, it is not really "outside" the production range, it is about the next chassis after yours (considering that chassis number sequence was for all Ferrari models). If you know that the chassis could be finished in a different order than the chassis number sequence (I mean, they could be at the end of the line, and officially "finished"), and if you know that yours is a CH chassis that is different in some technicals species from a Euro standard, maybe yours had been the last leaving the production line. it happened with the end of glass cars or event with the end of carbureted cars. I wouldn't be surprised of such a case.
I was interested in this thread because of the number you guys are finding stamped in the engine compartment, I believe I have a pretty early 308 if this really represents the build sequence of each model of each year... 1983 308 GTS QV February 1983 VIN 45303 Stamp in engine compartment: 3 Is this correct, do I have the third '83 GTS QV built? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
No. But you probably have the 3rd body built. I'm sure they were put together and stacked up before shipping over to the factory. 10 QV's ahead (earlier VIN) of you may have had #27 or something stamped there, just however it was pulled out to begin the rest of the assembly process.
I doubt anyone can top this. Just got my "new" Dino from Al in FL! My 1975 I have had for 20 years, the 74 is the earlier number. Only a true Ferrari guy would freak out over this. To me its like twins seprated at birth and meeting 40 years later!!!! Rob Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I also suspect that you have another number in front of 3. Would be it possible to discover it? What is your engine number?
I would have to look but I don't think the engine number really plays into this much if any. I started this thread almost exactly 11 years ago and I have pretty much decided that this body number stamp is just that, a body number stamped in sequence as they were built. When they were drug out to make a car, they were just done so at random. IOW, no correlation to the VIN sequence.
I shined it up a little to get a better photo and it's definitely just a "3" with nothing in front of it. Also, my engine number pad information is: F105A 040 00053A Image Unavailable, Please Login
You are right and I follow your thread since you opened it. Concerning the engine number, it is not that far from the assembly sequence logic. In fact the appereance of a variant of F105 A 040 may coincides with a reset of the US market assembly number after a short break of making US market cars. First US QVs have other sequence for engine (and assembly). Just don't ask why... Brad308QV, my I ask you to post one picture of your engine nameplate because I don't understand the "A" at the end of the number. Would be it not rather a star ? On the random side of the production, I think personnally that it is not so obvious. The assembly sequence number arrived already stamped at the factory since they were paired with the body. Then small batches for the same market enabled to rationalize production line because many items were specific to those markets. This was decided early in the process when the chassis numbers were assigned. Well, this is my opinion of course, That was quite handmade at that time...
"Brad308QV, my I ask you to post one picture of your engine nameplate because I don't understand the "A" at the end of the number. Would be it not rather a star ?" -Tripleblack, I'm not really sure. I just read the plate off the engine. It's hard to photograph since it's sort of buried down below everything, but the star mark you refer to is in front of the "00053A" on mine.
yes, I know... but usually, there is a star, then 5 digits, then a star again.... If the upper branch of that last star is vertical, then that could be read as a "A" if there's some dirt. That's why I asked for a picture because if you really have an "A" from the factory, that would be the first QV I see with that kind of stamp...
Just some thoughts of no real relevance to this thread but your Feb 83 stamp got me thinking: I wonder how long it took to go from "event to print" back in those day in the magazine business. My 84 was completed on Jan 30th and shipped out to the US in mid Feb (I don't recall that exact date at the moment, the letter from FNA is not in front of me at the moment). It made its way from New Jersey to FAF in Atlanta and was sold on April 20th. Both R&T and C&D published the first test of a US 308 QV in their Aug issue. I bought (and still have) both issues at the airport in Charleston, WV on the way back from my grandparents house that summer. I was 15. Aug issue would have been on shelves at the beginning of July. I am guessing it was probably a 4 month lag from the time they tested the cars and wrote the story to getting it printed and on a shelf somewhere. I am sure they got their hands on the cars as soon as they were available here, especially considering that both magazines published it at the same exact time. That would mean the first cars were not actually available here until about March. Being built in Feb would put your car on that first boat based on the dates I know about my car a year later. So, yeah, you have a pretty early QV. At least with regards to being in the USA. What does all that mean? Not much, I was just dancing it around in my mind so I thought I would post it here
I'm with you, Doc- I think this information is all pretty neat, especially the date sequences early on in a the history of any car. My original window sticker doesn't show a date on it, but Ferrari North America (Mario Ippolito) said that it was "first retailed" on 9/3/83, so there is some time between the production date (2/83) and when the first owner took it home. I also have the first service record, dated 10-12-83, the 1200 Mile Service at the selling dealer, Ferrari of Los Gatos. (It actually had 1393 miles on it, so he was a little late!) Sorry if this is derailing the thread...
Looking at my photo again, it looks like it is not the place where I would see the number. Where exactly is it placed. That chicken scratch can't be right
topcarbon, your number is on the top of the coil bracket. You shouldn't have to scratch anything to see it.... It is on the inside left part edge of the engine lid, approx when the angle break to horizontal. It is as well, on the upper top left part of the frame which support the front lid. It is facing outside on the side where there is the ram but at the top... At least, on this three place, you don't have anything to disassembly...
