We decided to create this guide to VIN, Engine and Transmission numbers for the 964 Porsche because we found it hard to get access to this information online.
Our easy to use guide should help you find what you need quickly. For more information about the Porsche 964, please check out our Ultimate Guide to the Porsche 964 page.
The first part of this appendix provides the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), engine and transmission code breakdowns. From this information it will then be possible for a potential 964 purchaser to determine the validity of the VIN when doing a pre purchase inspection.
We went to great effort to ensure our data is accurate but as always we recommend that you check elsewhere too because errors do happen and getting reliable data from that era isn’t easy.
Porsche 964 VIN Lookup- Standard Models
Our simple to use tool will help you find the VIN and Engine number for any 964 Porsche. Choose your model year and your country to narrow down your search. Then click on the appropriate car to see the VIN and Engine numbers.
Porsche 964 VIN Lookup – Limited Editions
Our simple to use tool will help you find the VIN and Engine number for any 964 Porsche limited edition car. Choose your model year and your country to narrow down your search. Then click on the appropriate car to see the VIN and Engine numbers.
Porsche 964 VIN Numbers
The easiest way to correctly identify a 964 is to check the vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is a 17 digit international code. The VIN used by Porsche for the whole 964 series is the international 17 digit system.
There are two VINs for the 964 Porsche:
- Rest of the world (ROW). VIN identifies the 964 as being built to ROW specifications. Example: WPOZZZ96ZKS401786 = 1989 Carrera 4 Coupe.
- USA VIN (USA). The USA VIN identifies the 964 as being built to US specifications. Example: WPOCB2969RS465274 = 1994 Speedster.
Where to Find the VIN in a 964 Porsche:
- Rest of the world (ROW). The VIN is found on a data plate, installed in the luggage compartment attached to the right front inner fender. It is very near the right headlight assembly.
- USA VIN (USA). The VIN is found on a plate attached to the left front A pillar and can be viewed from the outside through the windshield.
Deciphering Porsche 964 VIN Codes
| Digit | Code | Explanation |
| 1 | W | Country of origin (Federal Republic of Germany) |
| 2 | P | Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG |
| 3 | 0 | Passenger car |
| Z | ROW market designation | |
| A | Coupe body style (USA) | |
| B | Targa body style (USA) | |
| C | Cabriolet body style (USA) | |
| Z | ROW market designation | |
| A | Turbo 3.3 liter (USA) | |
| B | Naturally aspirated 3.6 liter (USA) | |
| C | Turbo 3.6 liter (USA) | |
| Z | ROW marker designation | |
| 0 | Seat belts only (USA) | |
| 2 | Seat belts and air bags (USA) | |
| 7,8 | 96 | First part of type number or auftragsnttmmer |
| Z | Fill in digit for ROW | |
| 0-9 or X | Test Digit | |
| K | 1989 (production model year) | |
| L | 1990 | |
| M | 1991 | |
| N | 1992 | |
| P | 1993 | |
| R | 1994 | |
| 11 | S | Place of manufacture (Stuttgart, Germany) |
| 12 | 4 | Last remaining number of type or auftragsnttmmer |
| 13 to 17* | Serial number of specific 964 |
*1 = RS America, 2 = US Coupe with airbags, 4 = US Targa with airbag, 6 = US Cabriolet with airbag. Digit 13 also provides version identification but can only be used for a specific model year. The numbers were changed around so a 5 in 1989 may not be the same as a 5 in 1994.
Porsche 964 Engine Number Codes
The engine number is located on the engine block, on the right side of the crankcase next to the fan housing. The engine code consists of 8 digits and is the same for all versions. Example:
- 62K86401 is an M64/01 engine installed in a 1989 Carrera 4 (normally aspirated).
Deciphering Porsche 964 Engine Codes
Note: Digit 4 is exclusive to Tiptronic models. In model year 1991 this number became a 5. So from this model year onwards the M64/02 engine for the Tiptronic could be identified separately.
| Digit | Code | Explanation |
| 1 | 6 | Number of cylinders |
| 1 | Turbocharged engine | |
| 2 | Naturally Aspirated engine | |
| K | 1989 (production model year) | |
| L | 1990 | |
| M | 1991 | |
| N | 1992 | |
| P | 1993 | |
| R | 1994 | |
| 4 to 8 | Serial number of the specific engine |
Porsche 964 Transmission Number Codes
The transmission number code is found on the transmission data plate. There were two codes used:
- 12 digit code for model years 1989, 1990 and 1991
- 12 digit code for model years 1992 onwards
Deciphering Porsche 964 Transmission Codes
| Digit | Code | Explanation |
| G6400 | AWD (not Switzerland, Taiwan) | |
| G6401 | AWD (Switzerland) | |
| G6402 | AWD (Taiwan) | |
| G 5003 | RWD manual (not Switzerland) | |
| G 5004 | RWD manual (Switzerland) | |
| G 5005 | RWD manual (USA only from 1992) | |
| G 5010 | RWD manual (Carrera RS series only) | |
| G 5052 | RWD manual (all) | |
| A5001 | Tiptronic 1990 and 1991 only | |
| A5002 | Tiptronic from 1992 (ROW only) | |
| A5003 | Tiptronic from 1992 (USA and Taiwan) | |
| 1990: No limited slip differential (LSD), only G50 & A50 | ||
| 1991: No LSD in G 50/03, G 50/04, A50 | ||
| 1990: LSD installed, only applicable to only G50 & A50 | ||
| 1991: LSD not installed in G50/52 transmission only | ||
| 1992, 1993, 1994: LSD not installed in G50 & A50 | ||
| 1991: LSD installed in G S0/52 transmission | ||
| 1992, 1993, 1994: LSD installed in G50 & A50 | ||
| 3 | Regulated limited slip differential installed in G64 | |
| K | 1989 (production model year) | |
| L | 1990 | |
| M | 1991 | |
| – | Production model year code omitted from 1992 onwards | |
| 7 to 11 | 1992, 1993, 1994: Serial number of specific transmission | |
| 8 to 12 | 1989, 1990, 1991: Serial number of specific transmission |
