Ferrari Life Forum banner

Researching VIN #s

1 reading
12K views 22 replies 9 participants last post by  jtremlett  
#1 ·
Hello,

I noticed the very impressive list of Ferrari VIN numbers listed under the “Models & Registry” tab. Someone from Ferrari Life must have spent a tremendous amount time putting this data together.

I found the VIN for the 550 that I am attempting to purchase which amazed me because I’m fairly certain the owner did not list it there. Is this a complete list of all cars built? I observed occasional number gaps between some of the VINs. Does anyone happen to know why? Are these VINs simply unaccounted for or is their another reason for the gaps?

I tried to do a search under VIN, S/N & SN, but nothing came up.

Thanks,

Robert
 
#2 ·
Hello,

I noticed the very impressive list of Ferrari VIN numbers listed under the “Models & Registry” tab. Someone from Ferrari Life must have spent a tremendous amount time putting this data together.

I found the VIN for the 550 that I am attempting to purchase which amazed me because I’m fairly certain the owner did not list it there. Is this a complete list of all cars built? I observed occasional number gaps between some of the VINs. Does anyone happen to know why? Are these VINs simply unaccounted for or is their another reason for the gaps?

I tried to do a search under VIN, S/N & SN, but nothing came up.

Thanks,

Robert
The gaps are most likely because the cars bearing those SNs simply have not been publically identified. If you PM me the SN# I will check a couple of sources and see what I can turn up.
 
#6 ·
Yes, here is a general decoder that I have collected from assorted sources, I will also put it in a thread in the Registry section to make it easier to find.

The 1st digit Z = Italy
The 2nd digit identifies the badge. F = Ferrari
The 3rd digit identifies the manufacturer. F = Ferrari
The 4th digit identifies the engine.
A = 308 2-valve injected USA
A = Testarossa European
A = 612 Scaglietti
B = 308 2-valve carb wet sump Euro
B = 408 prototype
B = 575M Maranello
C = 308 2-valve carb dry sump Euro
C = 328 Swiss w/catalyst 1987-1989
C = Enzo Ferrari
D = 512 BB
D = Challenge Stradale
E = 400i
E = PPG prototype
F = 308 2-valve carb Australia
F = 348 USA 1989-1990
G = 308 2-valve carb USA & Japan
G = F40 Euro
H = 308 2-valve injected Euro
I = Not used
J = 512 BBi
K = 208 Turbocharged
K = 348 Euro early
L = 308 QV Euro
L = 512 TR
M = 308 QV USA 1983
M = F40 USA
N = 308 2-valve injected Australia
O = Not used
P = 288 GTO
P = 355 w/Motronic 2.7
Q = Not used
R = 308 QV Australian
R = 348 USA
S = Testarossa USA & Japan
S = 456 w/Motronic 2.7
T = Testarossa
T = F50
U = 308 QV USA 1984-1985
U = 348 Euro late
V = F512 M
W = 328 Euro
W = 456M w/Motronic 5.2
X = 328 USA & Japan
X = 355 w/Motronic 5.2
Y = 412
Y = 360
Z = 550

The 5th digit is used for seatbelts/airbag system
A = 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front
B = 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front plus 3-point non-inertia belts for rear
C = 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front plus 2-point inertia belts for rear
D = 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front plus 3-point inertia belts for rear
E = Seen on some 2+2 for Australian market; no airbag?
G = Passive restraint system (Active belts with manual lap belts)
J = Seen on Euro F40
K = Seen on >1990 Mondial T Cabriolet US versions
L = Air bags, manual seat belts plus UCRA* in the rear seats
M = Passive restraint system (Canada)
N = Automatic passive restraint system
P = Air bags with 3-point inertia belts for front and inertia belts for rear
R = Air bags, manual seat belts and force limiter
S = Air bags, manual seat belts plus UCRA*
T = Air bags, manual seat belts with pretensioners
U = Air bags, manual seat belts with pretensioners plus UCRA*
V = Air bags, manual seat belts with pretensioners and force limiter plus UCRA*
W = Air bags, manual seat belts and force limiter plus UCRA*
X = Seen on racecars and prototypes
Y = Seen on Euro 612 Scaglietti
Z = Seen on Euro Enzo Ferrari
* UCRA = Universal Child Restraint Anchorage system

The 6th & 7th digit identify to specific model
01 = 308 GT4 (ZDF)
01 = 308 GTBi (ZFF)
02 = 308 GTSi
03 = 308 GTB
04 = 308 GTS
05 = 512 BB
06 = 400i Automatic
07 = 400i 5-speed
08 = Mondial 8
09 = 512 BBi
10 = 208 GTB Turbo
11 = 208 GTS Turbo
12 = 308 GTB QV
13 = 308 GTS QV
14 = Mondial QV Coupe
15 = Mondial QV Cabriolet
16 = 288 GTO
17 = Testarossa
18 = 308 Convertible
19 = 328 GTB
20 = 328 GTS
21 = 3.2 Mondial Coupe
22 = Unknown
23 = Unknown
24 = 412 Automatic
25 = 412 5-speed
26 = 3.2 Mondial Cabriolet
27 = GTB Turbo
28 = GTS Turbo
29 = 328 Convertible
30 = Testarossa Spider
31 = Unknown
32 = Mondial T Coupe
33 = Mondial T Cabriolet
34 = F40
35 = 348 TB, GTB & GTC
36 = 348 TS & GTS
37 = 408
38 = Unknown
39 = Unknown
40 = 512 TR & F512 M
41 = F355 & 355 F1 Berlinetta
42 = F355 & 355 F1 GTS
43 = 348 Spider
44 = 456 GT & 456M GT
45 =
46 = F50
47 =
48 = F355 & 355 F1 Spider
49 = 550 Maranello
50 = 456 GTA & 45M GTA
51 = 360 Modena & Modena F1
52 = 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
53 = 360 Spider & Spider F1
54 = 612 Scaglietti
55 = 575M Maranello & Maranello F1
56 = Enzo Ferraro
57 = Challenge Stradale

The 8th digit is for the market the car was manufactured for:
A = LHD North America
B = LHD European
C = RHD UK
D = RHD Australia
J = LHD Japan (also JAP or JPN)
S = LHD Sweden or Switzerland
T = LHD Middle East
X = Other (oneoffs, prototypes & race cars)

The 9th digit is a USA CHECK DIGIT for Ferraris for markets other than North America this digit is always a 0 except for Japan where it may be an A or a P.
The 10th digit designates the model year and is used only on Ferraris manufactured for the North American and some Middle East markets. On cars for other markets this will always be a "0" (zero) except for Japan where it sometimes will be a "P" or "N".
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
I = Not used
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
O = Not used
P = 1993
Q = Not used
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
U = Not used
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
Z = Not used
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004

The 11th digit designates the assembly plant which for Ferrari is always Maranello = 0
The 12th -17th digits are the chassis/serial number
__________________
 
#10 · (Edited)
VIN #'s were globally standardized in 1979 by ISO, taking effect in 1980 models.

If I remember correctly they fall into these catagories:

motorcycle/scooter--which includes all powersports except marine vehicles

passenger car

commercial vehicles over 12,000 lbs

military

marine

there is a standard method for each category, 17 being the standard number of digits, which includes certain variations and exemptions (some marine and military use up to 20), and all must have the year of manufacture, not to be confused with model year, although some have another number for month to further identify it (i believe it is the 10th digit for year of manufacture in the US), although world models used the 23 available letters at which point they went to numbers, some Japanese models used "0" to represent a post-1980 model in the 10th digit.

I, O, and Q are not used because they are easy to illegally alter

I went to school at MMI in Phoenix and we were required to read any post-WWII Harley-Davidson VIN on the spot-it was the hardest homework assignment I've ever had. It consisted of no less than 12 different VIN methods.

I restored vintage motorcycles for few years, all of them being pre-1980 models. Boy, was that a nightmare chasing down vin codes and methods which seemed to follow no rule of thumb, and changed every couple of years, even within the same product cycle (aka, generation). It gets even more complicated before 1958, because before then, manufacturers werent even required to keep VIN records, and just researching the VIN methods was a daunting task, let alone researching individual VIN numbers. I'll never miss doing that. I miss the motorcycles though, and researching the VINs was always a crash-course in the history of whatever vehicle or manufacturer you were inquiring about.
 
#14 ·
Jesse- Try the local Ferrari club to see if anyone keeps a registry and the local dealership and see if they have serviced the car. Was the car an original SA car or was it imported? If imported, the UK importer may have some info. Would have been Maranello Concessionaires back then, now owned by Penske.
 
#17 ·
Jonathan- Thanks. I figured, but did not really know, an original SA car would not have come through the UK, but remembered how many Australian cars were imported from the UK used. Not necessarily true for South Africa, though.

Do you have contact info for Maranello Archives? Could not find it using Google, except for an FChat reference.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Jesse- The "C" in the VIN means it is RHD car, but even if the code says RHD UK, "C" code cars were shipped directly to other markets without passing through the UK.

Does SA use miles or kms and does she have metric or English gauges? Might give you a hint, although it would not help in Australia, where the gauges have to be converted.

8th DIGIT Market
A Left-Hand Drive, North America or Middle East (2000-2007)
B Left-Hand Drive, Europe
C Right-Hand Drive, UK
D Right-Hand Drive, Australia
E Left-Hand Drive, China
J / JAP / JPN Left-Hand Drive, Japan
JAP: approx. 1980 - 1994 (with "AP" as the 9th and 10th digit)
JPN: approx. 1994 - 2000 (with "PN" as the 9th and 10th digit)
J: approx. 1997 - present (with "00" as the 9th and 10th digit)
L Left-Hand Drive, Latin and Central America
S Left-Hand Drive, Switzerland or Sweden
T Left-Hand Drive, Middle East (<2000 and >2007)
X Other (one-offs, prototypes and race versions)
 
#21 ·
Boxer- Here it is. Purloined from someone somewhere. Do not know if there is an updated version out yet.

N: VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Since 1980, all Ferraris are equiped with a VIN, a uniform 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number. It was first introduced on US models, as it was required for all cars in the US made after January 1st 1980. Other markets soon followed.

The VIN can be found in several places, but on all models (except the European version of the Enzo and some race versions) it can be seen from the outside: in most cases it's visible on a plate on top of the steering column or at the bottom of the windshield. Depending on the model and the market, the VIN can also be found stamped on a plate or in the chassis in the engine room, or on plates in the doors.

The overview published on this page explains each digit of the VIN. It was made with help from the late Gerald Roush (Ferrari Market Letter) and many other Ferrari-spotters. Certain information is from official documents, but not everything. So, please note that this overview may contain errors and that it isn't complete. Corrections and additions will always be appreciated.

Important remark: starting with model year 2010, the digits 4+5 and 6+7 are reversed!


1st - 3rd DIGIT Nation of Origin, Make
ZFF Italy, Ferrari, Ferrari
ZDF Italy, Dino, Ferrari (only used on a few Dino 308 GT4s)

4th DIGIT Engine
first cycle (engine introduction before approx. 1986)
A 308 GTB/Si, Mondial 8 US version
B ** 308 GTB/S, Dino 308 GT4 Euro version, wet sump
C ** 308 GTB/S Euro version, dry sump
D ** 512 BB
E 400i
F unknown / not used
G *** 308 GTB/S US version
H 308 GTBi/Si, Mondial 8 Euro version
J 512 BBi
K 208 GTB/S Turbo Italian version
L 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) Euro version
M 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) US version, 1983, 230 HP
N 308 GTBi/Si, Mondial 8 Australian version
P 288 GTO
R 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) Australian version
S Testarossa US version
T Testarossa Euro version, type F113A
U 308 GTB/S QV, Mondial QV (Cabr) US version, 1984-1985, 235 HP
V unknown / not used
W 328 GTB/S, Mondial 3.2 (Cabr) Euro version
X 328 GTB/S, Mondial 3.2 (Cabr) US version
Y 412 Euro version
Z GTB/GTS Turbo Italian version
second cycle (engine introduction between approx. 1986 and 2001)
A Testarossa Euro version, type F113B
B * 408 Prototype
C 328 GTB/S, Mondial 3.2 (Cabr) Swiss, 1987-1989 with catalyst
D 412 Swiss/Swedish version
E * PPG Prototype for 348 engine
F 348 tb/s, Mondial t (Cabr) US, 1989-1990, Motronic 2.5
G F40 Euro version
H unknown / not used
J unknown / not used
K 348 tb/s, Mondial t (Cabr) Euro version
L 512 TR
M F40 US version
N unknown / not used
P F355 series 1994-1995, Motronic 2.7
R 348 series, Mondial t (Cabr) US, 1991-1995, Motronic 2.7
S 456 GT(A) 1992-1996, Motronic 2.7
T F50
U 348 GTB/S, 348 Spider Euro version
V F512 M
W 456 (M) GT(A) 1997-2003, Motronic 5.2
X F355 series 1996-1999, Motronic 5.2
Y 360 Modena, 360 Spider
Z 550 Maranello, 550 Barchetta
third cycle (engine introduction after approx. 2001)
A 612 Scaglietti 2004-2008, type 133F
B 575 M Maranello
C Enzo Ferrari
D Challenge Stradale
E F430
F 599 GTB Fiorano
G Superamerica
H FXX
J 612 Scaglietti 2007-2010, type 133H
K 430 Scuderia
L California DCT (F1) gearbox
M California Manual gearbox
N 458 Italia
P 599 XX
R 599 GTO
S FF

Remark: the "markets" listed above, are only for a rough indication.

*: Only used on a few prototypes
**: Only used on a small number of late-production cars
***: Although listed in official documents, it was probably never used

5th DIGIT Restraint system
first cycle (models introduced before approx. 2004)
A 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front
B 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front
plus 3-point non-inertia belts for rear
C 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front
plus 2-point inertia belts for rear
D 3-point inertia belts with auto retractors for front
plus 3-point inertia belts for rear
E [on several 2+2 for the Australian market]
F unknown / not used
G Passive restraint system (= active belts with manual lap belts)
H unknown / not used
J [on F40, Euro version]
K [on Mondial t Cabriolet, US version, >1990]
L Airbags, manual seat belts plus UCRA* in the rear seats
M Passive restraint system (Canada)
N Automatic passive restraint system
P Airbags with 3-point inertia belts for front and inertia belts for rear
R Airbags, manual seat belts and force limiter
S Airbags, manual seat belts plus UCRA*
T Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners
U Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners plus UCRA*
V Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners, force limiter and UCRA*
W Airbags, manual seats belts with pretensioners, force limiter and LATCH*
X [on racecars and prototypes]
Y [on early 612 Scaglietti, Euro version]
Z [on Enzo, Euro version]
second cycle (models introduced after approx. 2004)
A Airbags for driver and passenger,
3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter
for front and rear, plus LATCH* system for rear seats
B Airbag for driver, advanced airbags for passenger,
3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter
for front and rear, plus LATCH* system for rear seats
(MY 2009/10: advanced airbags for driver and passenger)
C Airbag for driver, advanced airbags for passenger,
3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter,
and tether anchorage on passenger seat
(MY 2009/10: also including side-airbags)
D [on 599 GTO and some 599 GTB Fiorano]
E unknown / not used
F Airbags for driver and passenger,
3-point manual seats belts with pretensioners and load limiter,
and tether anchorage on passenger seat
G unknown / not used
H Dual stage and lateral airbags,
3-point safety belts with pretensioners and load limiter
J Dual stage and lateral airbags,
3-point safety belts with pretensioners and load limiter
for front and rear, plus two lower anchorages for each seat
K [on FF]
X [on racecars and prototypes]

* UCRA = Universal Child Restraint Anchorage system
* LATCH = Lower Anchorage and Tether for Children system (= ISOFIX)

6th + 7th DIGIT Model
01 308 GTBi (ZFF, Ferrari), Dino 308 GT4 (ZDF, Dino)
02 308 GTSi
03 ** 308 GTB
04 ** 308 GTS
05 ** 512 BB
06 400i Automatic
07 400i 5-speed
08 Mondial 8
09 512 BBi
10 208 GTB Turbo
11 208 GTS Turbo
12 308 GTB QV
13 308 GTS QV
14 Mondial QV Coupé
15 Mondial QV Cabriolet
16 288 GTO
17 Testarossa
18 * 308 Convertible
19 328 GTB
20 328 GTS
21 Mondial 3.2 Coupé
22 unknown / not used
23 unknown / not used
24 412 Automatic
25 412 5-speed
26 Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet
27 GTB Turbo
28 GTS Turbo
29 * 328 Convertible
30 * Testarossa Spider
31 * 412 Cabriolet
32 Mondial t Coupé
33 Mondial t Cabriolet
34 F40
35 348 tb, 348 GTB, 348 tb SS
36 348 ts, 348 GTS, 348 ts SS
37* 408
38 unknown / not used
39 unknown / not used
40 512 TR, F512 M
41 F355 Berlinetta, 355 F1 Berlinetta
42 F355 GTS, 355 F1 GTS
43 348 Spider
44 456 GT, 456 M GT
45 unknown / not used
46 F50
47 unknown / not used
48 F355 Spider, 355 F1 Spider
49 550 Maranello
50 456 GTA, 456 M GTA
51 360 Modena, 360 Modena F1
52 550 Barchetta Pininfarina
53 360 Spider, 360 Spider F1
54 612 Scaglietti
55 575 M Maranello, 575 M Maranello F1
56 Enzo Ferrari
57 Challenge Stradale
58 F430
59 F430 Spider
60 599 GTB Fiorano
61 Superamerica
62 FXX
63 F430 Challenge
64 430 Scuderia
65 California
66 Scuderia Spider 16M
67 458 Italia
68 unknown / not used
69 599 XX
70 599 GTO
71 458 Challenge
72 unknown / not used
73 FF

*: Only used on a few prototypes
**: Only used on a small number of late-production cars

8th DIGIT Market
A Left-Hand Drive, North America or Middle East (2000-2007)
B Left-Hand Drive, Europe
C Right-Hand Drive, UK
D Right-Hand Drive, Australia
E Left-Hand Drive, China
J / JAP / JPN Left-Hand Drive, Japan
JAP: approx. 1980 - 1994 (with "AP" as the 9th and 10th digit)
JPN: approx. 1994 - 2000 (with "PN" as the 9th and 10th digit)
J: approx. 1997 - present (with "00" as the 9th and 10th digit)
L Left-Hand Drive, Latin and Central America
S Left-Hand Drive, Switzerland or Sweden
T Left-Hand Drive, Middle East (<2000 and >2007)
X Other (one-offs, prototypes and race versions)

9th DIGIT Check digit
A or P Specific Japanese models (for more info, see 8th digit)
0 - 9 and X USA, Middle East (>2000), Latin America (>2006) and China (>2010)
(a specific calculation, see below)
0 Other markets

The check digit of the VIN appears in the 9th position of US versions (plus some other markets, see above) and provides a way to verify the validity of all of the other characters in positions 1-8 and 10-17. The check digit is calculated by carrying out the following mathematical computation.

(1) Assign to each number in the VIN its actual mathematical value and assign to each letter the value specified in following Table:
A = 1 G = 7 N = 5 V = 5
B = 2 H = 8 P = 7 W = 6
C = 3 J = 1 R = 9 X = 7
D = 4 K = 2 S = 2 Y = 8
E = 5 L = 3 T = 3 Z = 9
F = 6 M = 4 U = 4

(2) Multiply the assigned value for each VIN character in the VIN by the Position weight factor specified in the following Table:
VIN position Weight factor VIN position Weight factor
1st 8 10th 9
2nd 7 11th 8
3rd 6 12th 7
4th 5 13th 6
5th 4 14th 5
6th 3 15th 4
7th 2 16th 3
8th 10 17th 2
9th to be calculated

(3) Add the resulting products and divide this total by 11.

(4) The numerical remainder is the check digit. If the remainder is 10 the letter 'X' shall be used to designate the check digit. The correct numeric remainder, zero through nine (0-9) or the letter 'X' shall appear in the VIN position nine.

10th DIGIT Model Year
The "Model Year" is only used on North America,
Middle East and Latin and Central America versions:
A 1980, 2010
B 1981, 2011
C 1982, 2012
D 1983, ...
E 1984
F 1985
G 1986
H 1987
J 1988
K 1989
L 1990
M 1991
N 1992
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996
V 1997
W 1998
X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
3 2003
4 2004
5 2005
6 2006
7 2007
8 2008
9 2009

For other markets:
P or N Specific Japanese models (for more info, see 8th digit)
0 All other markets (incl. late Japanese models)

11th DIGIT Assembly plant
0 Maranello

12th - 17th DIGIT Serialnumber
The VIN was introduced near s/n 30xxx. Until s/n 75000 only odd serialnumbers were used. After 75000 both odd and even numbers were used.

The VIN was also used on a small number of (late production) Dino 308 GT4s. Those VINs start with ZDFBB01 and end with even numbers near 15xxx.
 
#23 ·
Boxer- Here it is. Purloined from someone somewhere. Do not know if there is an updated version out yet...
The VIN decoder is from Edvar van Daalen's site which is here: http://www.red-headed.com/index2.html The VIN decoder is at the bottom of the page. Best to use the link as Edvar keeps it updated.

The eighth character of the VIN would be 'C' for RHD cars supplied new to the UK, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia etc.

Jonathan