Vin Number

[Speedsterboy]

Does the number that appear on this area supposed to match your chassis number? If so or if not,does the first digits mean or indicate production year?
Thanks.

[aerosilver]

That is the body number, it doesn't match the vin no.
I'm sure retrowagen has all the relevant info on body numbers
What is your body number

[Speedsterboy]

Thanks mate, I'm hoping to make out the numbers tomorrow. It's covered with years of crud...it appears to be four digits,not entirely sure.

[pbaptist]

That pictures looks familiar.

On http://karmannghias.org/ it is sait that the number should be the body number.

Does somebody know where the number on the hood and deck lit are located?

Patrick
_________________
Dutch Karmann-Ghia and coachbuild lover.
1* Karmann Ghia Coupe (1966 Teak)
2* Karmann Ghia Convertible (1958, 1971)
4* Rometsch Lawrence (nr 534, 555, 558 and 561)

Karmann-Ghia Lowlight page and registry
Karmann-Ghia Collectibles database

[JeffL]

The front hood body number is tough to find. When you open the trunk look just to the right of the center bead. The outer skin is folded over to make the front hood. It is stamped onto the metal that is folded under.

What makes it tough is that this are can rust easy because it sits on the rubber seal. I have a picture of mine somewhere.

The engine decklid number is to the left of center on the are where the outer skin is folded under. If you are standing at the back of the car, open the deck lid, look about 5 inches to the left of center where the latch is. This area usually rusts worse than the front.

I tried to point to these areas on the sketch I made on my web site.

Since Karmann didn't need to know the VIN to make the body the two are not related. The body numbers assured that once all the fitting was done that you would get the right panels back on to the right shell.

http://karmannghias.org

[Broadacus]

On my 1958 Convertible, the front axle also appears to have the vin number, in large numbers, stamped into it.
Anyone else seen this?
_________________
1957 Rometsch Beeskow
1963 Karmann Ghia Convertible RHD
View my rare literature For Sale.

[JeffL]

Never looked for it. Where did you find it?

[Speedsterboy]

Does the first digits of the numbers (to the original question) indicate the period of the car?
Thanks,
AL

[JeffL]

The four digit body number does not have anything to do with the vin or year. They were, however, sequential.

My 56 Ghia has body number 3203. This makes it close to the 3203rd Ghia to roll of the line. The last three digits, 203, were then found on the doors, hood, and decklid. I don't have my records here at work but at some point the numbers tended to be all less than 1000. Covertibles had a different series it seems than coupes.

The first three years seem to be consistent and sequential.

Has anyone seen the later Ghia body numbers next to the gas tank under the VIN? I think my 73 had them and I have seen others with them. I don't know that anyone has tried to analyze these.

[retrowagen]

On lowlights, Karmann went consecutive with its stamped body numbers up to #39,600 (29 August 1958); after that it was a three digit number. They repeated the sequence of three digit numbers a few times.

With body #39,601 (as it were), the Karmann S/N plate (adjacent to the Volkwagen AG info plate in the trunk) was discontinued as well. This was the tag that had yet another number, very close to the stamped body number but not quite the same. There's some debate as to why this number is a little off from the stamped body numbers; I don't think anyone knows with absolute certainty.
_________________
David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club

[Speedsterboy]

When in the hell are you going to publish your book? Thank you for your wealth of information and sharing it with us!

[RockStock]

[1958ghia]

I know this is a little off subject for this post, but your last picture almost shows it. Anybody know where to get this piece or the part number of what it might be? #60 below

[gitchesum]

I know this is an old post. But I have a 60 Ghia, where the tag up front does not correspond to the registration paperwork. I know on buses that that stamped number on the M code data plate is usually a sequential body number, not the VIN. The cars were usually , if not always , regd with the chassis number stamped on the tunnel.

No?
_________________
Looking for SP Kadron manifolds...please !!



57 SC
61 rag w/356B brakes
61 356B
Honda XLR 250, 69 Z50, Yamaha 100 Enduro...and others.
GMC SLT 4x4 Dmax
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And various VW's that come and go...

[John Moxon]

[doublecabmel]

Hi John, I don’t see one stamped on the area you highlighted

[John Moxon]

[Chad M]

[sputnick60]

[Chad M]