Porsche Puzzle Pieces

[FL-Frank]

I'm attempting to unravel some of the mystery of my recently acquired '72 T Coupe. The very limited documentation that came with the car goes back only a few years. It reportedly spent most of its years up in British Columbia.

VIN 9112100390 - would indicate it was the 390th unit built for the US market for the 1972 model year. All of the data included on the car's id plates matches - the one on the left windshield pillar, the front sill, and the trunk floor. There is, however, no data sticker in the left door jamb as it was apparently removed when the car was repainted many years ago.

Per the COA, it's birthdate was 9/23/71; its original engine was #6120675 and its original transmission was #320154 (both are still in the car). The original black leatherette interior specified on the COA is still in place too.

Here's what's puzzling me:

The COA states the exterior color as "Bahia Red/1313", however, my reference material says Bahia Red is code 022 while the color code tag in the left door jamb of the car also says 022.

There is no "fasten seat belt" lamp on the dash. My understanding is that units destined for the US market were required to have this as part of the "US Market Equipment". There are no signs of any seatbelt warning buzzers or their wiring either.

Here's the most puzzling part...under Optional Equipment, the COA lists "Saudi-Arabia Equipment". The previous owner asked Bruce Anderson about this, and he advised that this package would have included a right mirror, 3 point safety belts, and right hand drive. Well, the car is currently wearing a left mirror, not right, and although it does have retractable seat belts, it's definitely not right hand drive.

Although Porsche NA provided it, would it be a fair assumption to conclude that the COA I have is incorrect? If so, if I were contact them and explain the situation, I wonder if they could provide an accurate COA for my car?

I welcome your thoughts, opinions, recommendations, etc.

thanks

[FL-Frank]

I contacted Porsche NA and reported the discrepency. They offered to double-check, and said if they did in deed make mistakes the first time around, they'll send me a correct COA at no charge.

We'll see...

[72targa]

Interesting puzzle...

I don't know if this will help at all:

http://www.356-911.com/modelinfo/911...olours7173.htm

[FL-Frank]

Interesting...

Thanks for the link. Like the rest of the reference material I've looked at, this list shows the color code for Bahia Red as 022....which is the number that is on the paint tag in the driver's door jamb of my '72. However, as part of the description, this list also shows 1310/1313. 1313 is what appears on my COA. Is there more than one code for each color?

[larwik]

Frank...I just went through the same thing with the Lady at Porsche N/A...However,Chuck Miller explained it to me...
I have a 1973 Silver s/r coupe...Color code on door-jamb tag:936...My "meager" COA says :Silver/8080...well,a Silver Coupe in 1973 is 8080 like a Bahia Red coupe in -72 (and -73) is Bahia Red/1313...a Targa in that color and year is :1310(both with color-code tag # 022)..If your coupe would have been Gemini Blue it would say "Gemini Blue/8686"(with Color-code tag#330)...I still have a hard time follow that logic...but it must be the same staight forward logic as to call a "Helicopter" in german: Headscrewer....

P.S..Btw..the "VW Silver" in 1973 is not #925...it is #936 according to Chuck's "Bible"...Happy Thanksgiving...

[larwik]

Oops...my "deLuxe" COA....

[FL-Frank]

Thanks for the information, Lars!

[FL-Frank]

Thanks again to Lars who helped me sort out the color code confusion.

Today, I heard back from Porsche NA. They double-checked their micro-fiche, and according to their records, my VIN comes up with code C31 - Saudi Arabia Equipment. I asked what the components are of this code, and was told they don't have details like that.

Looks like I'll never know for sure where my 911T spent its "childhood".

[Cornpanzer]

John Dixon of the Taj Ma Garaj here in Dayton owns a Saudi spec 67 S that was a european delivery car and is left hand drive. Not sure that Saudi spec neccesarily meant RHD.

[FL-Frank]

I just searched the web for "right hand drive countries", and found a site that lists most of the major countries around the world, and specifies which ones are left and which ones are right hand drive. Saudi Arabia is listed as a left hand drive country.

Now I'm wondering...if my '72 T was originally built for the Saudi Arabian market, why does it have Bosch MFI rather than Zenith carbs which all ROW market T's supposedly got for '72?