There are two key numbers that need to be checked for authenticity -

1) Vehicle Identification Number - found in two places. Firstly VIN number stamped in the luggage compartment under the floor mat and secondly on the Identification plate riveted to the right hand luggage compartment wall.
2) Engine Number - which can be found in the engine compartment on the right hand compressor housing support.

Check these numbers against the registration document (V5), the vehicle history, service documents and check that they match the expected year and specification of your vehicle.

The VIN number is a good place to start - what does it all mean ? My VIN number is WPOZZZ91JS1nnnnn - it breaks down like this -

WPO is the World Producers code for Porsche
ZZZ denotes a "Rest of the World Car" i.e. not North America
91 is the first two digits of the model type
J is the model year (1984 was E, up to K for 1989 so J is 1988)
S - Manufacturing location (Stuttgart)
1 is the last digit of the model type
nnnnn must be the build serial number!

I believe the earlier Carrera 3.2s had a test digit after the model type - but don't quote me on that. If in doubt you can request a Chassis Enquiry from an official Porsche centre. This uses the Porsche database to list the original specification and any factory extras (e.g. Sport package, Fuch wheels, etc).

My engine number is 63Jnnnnn - the 63 denotes a Euro spec engine and J is the model year as in the VIN number.

So what is the most popular model of the air-cooled 911? Yes, you guessed correct, it is the 911 Carrera 3.2. Nearly 81,000 were sold to customers all around the world.

In 1987 the 250,000th 911 was built - it was a Carrera 3.2. To celebrate this fact an Anniversary model was produced in Marine Blue or Silver with a leather interior that had a Ferry Porsche signature woven into the headrests. (photo right - thanks to Steve)

When launched in the UK at the end of 1983 the basic Coupe cost £22,500. By 1989 this basic model had risen to £37,000 with the Turbo costing nearly £60,000.

Option codes - check out the option codes for your Porsche at the following web page - click here

Number of cylinders - 6
Bore - 3.74 in / 95 mm
Stroke 2.93 in / 74.4 mm
Capacity - 193 cu in / 3164 cc
Compression 10.3 to 1
Horsepower - 231 hp (No Cat)
Fuel - 98 RON (I use Shell Optimax)
Oil Consumption - up to 1.5 litres / 1000km (!)
Max revs - 6520 rpm
Firing order - 1-6-2-4-3-5
Ignition - digital engine electronic system

....... or will it fit the garage?

Fuel consumption - depends how hard you drive it - budget on 20 mpg around town and a maximum of 35 mpg on a run. Note the SuperSport has a higher weight and a wider profile - hence less MPG.

Standard car -
- Length - 4291 mm or 169 inches
- Width - 1652 mm or 65.04 inches
- Kerb Weight - 2668 lbs / 1210 kg
- Turning Circle - 33.84 ft

SuperSport or Turbo Look -
- Length - 4291 mm or 169 inches
- Width - 1775 mm or 69.89 inches
- Kerb Weight - 2778 lbs / 1260 kg
- Turning Circle - 33.84 ft

The wheels come in 15 inch or 16 inch varieties. All tyres are VR rated -
Standard Car -
Front - 6J and 7J x 15 rims come with 195/65 VR 15 tyres. The 6J x 16 rims are fitted with 205/55 VR 16 tyres.
Rear - 7J and 8J x 15 rims come with 215/60 VR 15 tyres. The 7J x 16 rims are fitted with 225/50 VR 16 tyres.
Tyre pressures - Front 2.0 bar (29psi), Rear 2.5 bar (36psi).
SuperSport / Turbo look -
Front - 205/55 VR 16 on 7J x 16 rims
Rear - 245/45 VR 16 on 9J x 16 rims
Tyre pressures - Front 2.0 bar (29psi), Rear 3.0 bar (44psi).

I had an e-mail suggesting the 7J and 9J wheels were also available on later model Carrera 3.2s. Not sure if this applied to standard UK models - I've seen them on an '89 model at Autobahn in Coventry but this was a RHD Hong Kong import. E-mail me if you can verify whether these wider wheels were a UK option .........

Engine Oil - Total quantity of the system - about 13 litres. At an oil change approx.10 litres of new oil is required.
Difference between Max and Min on dipstick - 1.75 litres. Which type ?. I can recommend two different types of engine oil -
- synthetic try Mobil 1
- semi-synthetic try Rock oil. A lot of VW (air-cooled) owners swear by it.

Gearbox Oil - Whats the best sort of oil to use in the gearbox? Well the answer depends on which type of gearbox you have. If you have a 915 gearbox model then I'd recommend Swepco 201(currently on special offer at Berlyn Services). If you have the later G50 gearbox then use a synthetic gearbox oil - such as Redline 75W90NS and Silkolene SY95.

Fuel Capacity - 85 litres (about 18 gallons). 95 Ron if you have a catalytic converter, 98 Ron if you don't. I have discussed fuel options with several enthusiasts and I have now settled on Shell Optimax. Click here for more details on Shell Optimax.