Early California Numbers for Carbon

Terry, this is awesome, thank you! That transmission type is interesting - I miss the days of manual transmissions with 'normal' types - and not a long string of numbers. Also interesting is the engine type, F136B. Hitherto, I had the engine type as F136IB.

In total, I have 1,214 Californias so far, but here's how my info breaks down.

I have no 2009 US Californias with a rear shelf - all of the 2009 US Californias that I have (48) are 2+2s.

I have 681 2010 US California 2+2s, and 58 2010 US Californias with the rear shelf.

I have 305 European California 2+2s, and eight European Californias with the rear shelf.

I have 32 UK RHD California 2+2s, and three UK RHD Californias with the rear shelf.

I have four Australian RHD California 2+2s, and no Australian RHD Californias with a rear shelf (yet).

Two Chinese California 2+2s, and no Chinese Californias with the rear shelf (yet).

Six Japanese California 2+2s, and no Japanese Californias with the rear shelf (yet).

Three Middle East California 2+2s, and no Middle East Californias with the rear shelf (yet).

For those who don't know, the VIN will tell you if a California has a rear shelf or two rear seats. If it starts with: ZFFLJ, then it's a 2+2; if it starts with: ZFFLH, then it has a rear shelf. It should be noted that for 2010 US model year Californias, the VIN gets switched up just a bit. The fourth and fifth digits switch places with the sixth and seventh digits. So a the VIN on a 2010 US model year California with a rear shelf starts with: ZFF65LH. And the VIN on a 2010 US model year California with two rear seats starts with: ZFF65LJ.

Very interesting to see the 2+2 trend soar over the rear shelf option.

PS, while I appreciate the sentiment, the term 'historian' should be reserved for those who deserve it, i.e., Gerald Roush, Marcel Massini, Wayne Ausbrooks, Matthias Urban, the late Denny Schue, etc. I'm simply training.

 

For what it's worth, my dealer (Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, CT), was saying cars were not available with the shelf as of Feb when I ordered mine. No idea whether this was correct, or not...though I suspect not if there are indeed delivered cars with the shelf.

 

Really interesting information Carbon!

I never really understood why someone would chose the "rear shelf" option. You can still put stuff on the rear seats but you can't put a person on the rear shelf.

The only advantage is that it does look a little cleaner.

Also, I think a lot of people who buy the CA like the idea of it being a 2+2 over the 430's 2 seats only.

I have a Mini and the rear seats are awful. Most of the time, I put the seats down and just use it for storage. But, it's nice to have the seats there when I need them for short trips.

Moral: I'd rather have 2 tiny rear seats available for those rare occasions that I need it than no seats at all.'

I also expect that when the 6 speed manual is available, it will be extremely rare. For all the belly aching, few will request it.

 

It's because the market has spoken...