Understanding Ferrari VIN numbers.

The 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number or VIN is a vital piece of information for every Ferrari.

The VIN standard applies to both major parts and all motor vehicles produced during and since the 1987 model year and was a result of The Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of October 25, 1984.

The VIN Number must be inscribed on the engine, transmission, both front fenders, hood, both doors, both bumpers, both rear quarter panels and the deck lid or hatchback (whichever is present). The VIN taken from the stated locations shall provide a true description of the vehicle to which it is assigned.

All Ferrari models have the VIN embossed on a metal plate affixed to the top of steering column. An example of a Ferrari VIN taken from a 1997 F355 Spyder is shown below. The charts cover VINs starting in 1983.


area1 The first digit identifies the vehicle's country of origin. Italy's letter is "Z," therefore all Ferrari VINs will begin with the letter "Z".
area2 The second and third digits identify the marque and manufacturer. "FF" will appear in the second and third place digits of all Ferrari VINs with one notable exception. Cars produced as "Dinos" in 1980 and earlier, were issued a separate "DF" code.
area3 - close-up The fourth digit identifies the engine type for a given model.
A=308 GTSi (2-valve injected - U.S. models)
A=308 GTBi (2-valve injected - U.S. models)
B=308 GTB (2-valve carbureted wet sump EU models)
B=308 GTS (2-valve carbureted wet sump EU models)
B=308 GTB (Fiberglass) (2-valve carbureted wet sump EU models)
C=308 GTB (2-valve carbureted dry sump EU models)
C=308 GTS (2-valve carbureted dry sump EU models)
C=308 GTB (Fiberglass) (2-valve carbureted dry sump EU models)
C=328 GTB (EU models)
C=328 GTS (EU models)
D=512 BB (carbureted models)
E=400i (fuel injected models)
E=400i Automatic (fuel injected models)
F= (308 Australia)
F= (348 U.S. / Japan)
G=308 GTB (2-valve carbureted U.S. / Japan models)
G=308 GTS (2-valve carbureted U.S. / Japan models)
G=F40 (EU models)
H=308 GTBi (2-valve injected EU models)
H=308 GTSi (2-valve injected EU models)
J=512 BBi (fuel injected)
K=208 GTB Turbo (EU only)
K=208 GTS Turbo (EU only)
K= (348 EU models)
L=308 GTB QV (4-valve EU models)
L=308 GTS QV (4-valve EU models)
L=512 TR (EU models)
M=308 GTB QV (4-valve U.S. models)
M=308 GTS QV (4-valve U.S. models)
M=F40 (U.S. models)
P=288 GTO
R= (348 U.S. models)
S=Testarossa (U.S. / Japan models)
S= (456)
T=Testarossa (EU models)
U= (308 4-valve U.S. 1984-1985 - conflicts with M code ... need to confirm)
V=F512 M
W= (328 EU model - conflicts with code C ... need to confirm)
X=328 GTB (U.S. / Japan models)
X=328 GTS (U.S. / Japan models)
X= (F355)
Y=412
Z=550 Maranello

(Note: With only 26 letters available, the factory is forced to reuse letters. Always consider the entire 17 digit VIN to determine the type of engine, especially the sixth and seventh digits.)
area1 The fifth digit is used to identify the vehicle's safety system.
A= 3-point inertia belts for front
B= 3-point inertia belts for front plus 3-point non-inertia belts for rear
C= 3-point inertia belts for front plus 2-point inertia belts for rear
D= 3-point inertia belts for front plus 3-point inertia belts for rear
G= Passive restraint system
M= Passive restraint system
N= Automatic passive restraint system
P= Air bags and 3-point inertia belts for front plus inertia belts for rear
R= Air bags and 3-point inertia belts for front
area2 The sixth and seventh digits are used to identify the vehicle model or body type.
01=308 GT4 (Series I US) (*)
01=308 GT4 (Series II US) (*)
01=308 GT4 (Series I EU) (*)
01=308 GT4 (Series II EU) (*)
01=308 GTBi (*)
02=308 GTBi
03=308 GTB
04=308 GTS
05=512 BB
06=400i Automatic
07=400i
08=Mondial 8
09=512 BBi
10=208 GTB Turbo
11=208 GTS Turbo
12=308 GTB QV
13=308 GTS QV
14=Mondial QV
15=Mondial QV Cabriolet
16=288 GTO
17=Testarossa
19=328 GTB
20=328 GTS
21=Mondial 3.2
24=412 (Specific to 412 Automatic)
25=412 (Specific to 412 5-speed)
26=Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet
27=GTB Turbo
32=Mondial t
33=Mondialt t Cabriolet
34=F40
35=348 tb (Need to clarify if this is for the tb or GTB)
36=348 ts (Need to clarify if this is for the ts or GTS)
40=512 M
41=F355 Berlinetta
42=F355 GTS
43=348 Spider
44=456 GT
48=F355 Spider
49=550 Maranello

* 2/28/2011: It appears that all 308 GT4s are identified with a 1 but sources seem to include the 308GTBi despite the same car being listed as having a 2 as the identifying value as well. This data needs to be confirmed. If anyone has information regarding this issue please contact us.
area3 - close-up The eighth digit shows which market the vehicle was built for.
A= Left-Hand drive vehicle for the U.S.A. market.
B= Left-Hand drive vehicle for the European market.
C= Right-Hand drive for the U.K. market.
D= Right-Hand drive for the Australian market.
J= Left-Hand drive vehicle.
S= Left-Hand drive vehicle.
T= In almost all cases originally sold in the Middle Eastern market.
area1 The ninth digit is a check digit used by law enforcement agencies to ensure that the VIN is valid. By using a formula involving the entire VIN, a law enforcement officer can determine if the VIN is correct for the vehicle being checked. Occasionally a letter, rather than a number, will appear in this space, but it will usually be a number between 1 and 9. In some cases, this number will be a zero on vehicles that were built for markets outside of the United States.
area2 The tenth digit is used to designate the year model for vehicles produced for the U.S. market.
A= 1980
B= 1981
C= 1983
D= 1983
E= 1984
F= 1985
G= 1986
H= 1987
J= 1988
K= 1989
L= 1990
M= 1991
N= 1992
P= 1993
R= 1994
S= 1995
T= 1996
V= 1997
area3 - close-up The eleventh digit is used to designate the company's plant location where the vehicle was produced. This digit should always be zero, since all Ferraris are produced in Maranello Italy.
area1 The twelfth through seventeenth digits are production numbers in sequential order. This number should allow you to determine when the vehicle was produced in the production run.
Buyers Tip: When purchasing a used Ferrari, carefully compare the VIN against the different vehicle components.

For example, if the car has a carbureted 2-valve motor, but the VIN indicates that a fuel injected 4-valve motor should be present ... assume that the motor has been changed out in this vehicle. This would adversely affect the overall value of the vehicle and your future investment.

Also it is very important that the VIN is correctly shown on all documents, (registration title, insurance papers, etc.).

The content on this page was based on an article from the DennigCars.org website in 2011, itself based on: an article on the subject written by Lloyd W. Shaw, in part from the 59th annual edition of the National Automobile Theft Bureau handbook for Law Enforcement, and an article which appeared in the Ferrari Market Letter (date unknown).
. . .