Porsche 912 VIN Decoder

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Quick Facts about Porsche 912

$50,000
Avg auction price
23–29 mpg
912E economy
1 recall
1969 seatbelt
≈25%
Unrepaired recalls

Why Check Your Porsche 912 VIN History?

The Porsche 912 is a classic, entry-level 911 derivative built 1965–1969, with a U.S.-only 912E in 1976. Many cars have long ownership chains and varied restorations. VIN history helps confirm originality, major repairs, and recall status.

When checking a Porsche 912's VIN history, buyers should pay special attention to:

  • Matching numbers and factory ID locations to rule out rebody or incorrect stampings.
  • 1969 seat-belt recall completion in late 912s.
  • Engine originality: 1.6L Type 616 (’65–’69) vs. 2.0L Type 4 (’76 912E).
  • Bodywork and corrosion repairs, especially floors, sills, battery boxes, and Targa structure.
  • 912E fuel-injection/emissions components noted as serviced, replaced, or correctly tuned.

A complete VIN history quickly reveals hidden accident damage, skipped maintenance, or unresolved recalls.

Porsche 912 Generations & Years

F-series 912 (SWB) (1965-1968) - First Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2+2 Coupé and early Targa (short wheelbase)
  • Engines: 1.6L flat-4 (Type 616)
  • Production: Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, West Germany
  • Highlight: Entry-level 911-derivative with lighter four-cyl engine and up to ~30 mpg claimed efficiency.
  • Watch for: Correct early VIN stampings and matching body/engine numbers.

F-series 912 (LWB) (1969-1969) - Second Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2+2 Coupé and Targa (long wheelbase update)
  • Engines: 1.6L flat-4 (Type 616, U.S. variant noted)
  • Production: Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, West Germany
  • Highlight: Wheelbase stretch for improved stability. The 1969 model was subject to a seat-belt buckle recall campaign.
  • Common Issues: Age-related corrosion and prior collision repairs in structural areas.

912E (Type 923) (1976-Present) - Third Generation

Key Details:

  • Body: 2+2 Coupé (U.S. market only)
  • Engines: 2.0L flat-4 (VW Type 4, Bosch L-Jetronic)
  • Production: Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, West Germany
  • Highlight: One-year U.S. revival with fuel-injected 2.0L; period tests reported 23/29 mpg.
  • Watch for: Proper 912E-specific fuel-injection components and emissions equipment.

Porsche 912 Engine Options by Year

Year Model Engine HP 0-60 mph MPG (City/Hwy) Transmission
1976 912E 2.0L H4 FI 86 12.8s 23/29 5-Speed Manual
1969 912 (LWB) 1.6L H4 Carb 90 11.6s 27.6 (combined) 4-/5-Speed Manual
1967 912 (SWB) 1.6L H4 Carb 90 11.6s 27.6 (combined) 4-/5-Speed Manual
1965 912 (SWB) 1.6L H4 Carb 90 11.6s 27.6 (combined) 4-Speed Manual

Source: Porsche Classic model pages, period test data, and reputable spec databases (Porsche Classic, Car and Driver archive, Stuttcars/automobile-catalog), 2024–2025.

What to Check When Buying a Porsche 912

When decoding a PORSCHE 912 VIN and reviewing its history, buyers should focus on generation-specific issues visible in documentation and records.

⚠️ F-series 912 (SWB) Generation (1965-1968)

  • Corrosion & body repairs: Verify photos and records. Look for rust repair in floors, sills, and battery boxes. Check chassis stampings match plates and titles.
  • Engine originality & rebuilds: Confirm Type 616 block and rebuild invoices. Mismatched engines impact value and drivability.
  • Targa structure & top: Inspect documentation for proper Targa panel, seals, and rollover hoop repairs. Water leaks often lead to interior damage.

⚠️ F-series 912 (LWB) Generation (1969-1969)

  • Seat-belt recall status: Look for NHTSA Campaign 69V021000 completion in records or dealer notes for 1969 cars.
  • Front-end and long-hood damage: Confirm high-quality accident repairs with alignment specs and photo documentation. Replacement panels affect the value of long-hood cars.

⚠️ 912E (Type 923) Generation (1976-Present)

  • Fuel-injection components: Check maintenance history for Bosch L-Jetronic sensors, vacuum leaks, and proper tuning. Parts condition drives reliability.
  • Emissions equipment & exhaust: Verify intact EGR/catalyst components where required; a missing gear can complicate registration and tuning.

💡 Pro Tip: A 912 with documented matching numbers, completed recalls, and detailed engine/fuel-system service history is typically more valuable and less risky. Prior comprehensive photo evidence of metalwork and correct body gaps strongly supports the condition and price.

Risk Statistics for Used Porsche 912

Key Risk Impact on Buyers Mitigation Steps
Unrepaired Safety Recalls About 25% of recalled vehicles may go unfixed nationwide. Vintage cars can carry unresolved safety items. Check VIN at NHTSA and Porsche recall portals. Confirm paperwork.
Odometer Rollback Fraud NHTSA estimates 450,000 U.S. vehicles are sold yearly with altered mileage. Compare VIN mileage across titles, inspections, and service records.
Hidden Flood/Salvage History Thousands of flood-totaled vehicles after major storms. Some reappear in the market. Review title brands. Inspect for corrosion and silt.
Depreciation/Price Volatility Classic 912 auction averages hover around ~$50k, with wide variance by condition and originality. Compare comps by year/condition. Verify matching numbers and provenance.

Data Sources & Methodology

This PORSCHE 912 information is compiled from trusted sources:

Quick Generation Comparison

Feature F-series 912 (SWB) (1965–1968) F-series 912 (LWB) (1969) 912E (Type 923) (1976)
Reliability Score 8.0/10 8.0/10 7.8/10
Avg. Annual Maintenance $1,200 $1,300 $1,400
Avg. Mileage (used market) 90,000 mi 95,000 mi 100,000 mi
Fuel Economy (combined) 27.6 mpg 27.6 mpg 25 mpg
Hybrid Available No No No
Technology Level ★★☆☆☆ ★★☆☆☆ ★★☆☆☆
Best For Purist classic feel One-year long-wheelbase U.S. daily-driver classic

Sample Porsche 912 VIN Decoder Results

Results for VIN Decoding for
VIN# WP0CA29983S652882

2003 PORSCHE 911

BLOCKCHAIN Confirmed Data Approved NMVTIS Data Provider
2003 PORSCHE 911
  • Odometer

    No problems

  • Safety Recalls

    No records

  • Accidents

    1 problem

  • Last mileage

    290,290 km

  • Auction Sales

    1 sale found

  • Owners

    2+ owners found

  • Year

    Year 2003

  • Make

    Make Porsche

  • Model

    Model 911

  • Fuel Type

    Fuel Type Gasoline

  • Engine

    Engine 3.6L

  • Made in

    Made in GERMANY

What you can get:

  • Title Status & High-Risk Labels: Shows salvage, rebuilt, flood, or lemon brands. Critical for valuing repaired or imported 912s.
  • Mileage History & Rollback Flags: Compiles odometer readings to spot discrepancies common in older classics.
  • Accident & Structural Damage Records: Highlights prior collisions and body repairs affecting long-hood alignment and chassis integrity.
  • Recall & Campaign Checks: Surfaces safety campaigns like the 1969 seat-belt recall to confirm completion.
  • Usage Type & Ownership Timeline: Indicates private, fleet, or import history and ownership gaps, aiding provenance checks.

FAQ: Porsche 912

Where can I find the VIN or chassis number on a Porsche 912?

Early 912s use stamped chassis numbers and ID plates. Also, check the front trunk area (near the gas tank/smuggler's box) and the driver-side door jamb plate.

How do the characters in a Porsche 912 VIN decode?

Many 1960s Porsches predate today's 17-character VIN. Decoding uses model-year and production-sequence formats tied to chassis numbers.

Which Porsche 912 version is considered the most reliable?

Simpler carbureted 1965–1968 cars and the 1969 LWB model are generally robust when maintained. The 1976 912E adds fuel injection components needing proper upkeep. Condition and documentation matter more than the year alone.

What are typical maintenance costs for a Porsche 912?

Costs vary by condition. However, expect ongoing classic-car maintenance such as carb tuning, ignition, brakes, and rust prevention. Parts support is strong via Porsche Classic. Detailed service records help forecast expenses.

Did the Porsche 912 have any factory recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists a 1969 seat-belt buckle recall affecting some 912s. Buyers should verify completion via records or dealer confirmation.

What fuel economy can I expect from a 912?

Period sources cite up to ~30 mpg for early 912s under favorable conditions. The 1976 912E recorded 23/29 mpg in testing. Driving style and tune strongly affect results.

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