A VIN, M code (M220), paint code (L041) or part number leads straight to the entry. ↑↓ select, ↵ open.

Decoder

What does your number say?

The 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN, from model year 1981) reveals manufacturer, type, model year and plant. Every entry shows its source and whether it has been verified.

Found in the registration document, at the base of the windscreen (driver side) and on the vehicle data label.

Examples (fictitious serial numbers):

Decoding runs entirely in your browser. The number is neither stored nor sent.

Option codes (M codes)

M codes are listed on the vehicle data label (service booklet or sticker in the luggage compartment). Our list is growing – every entry stays unverified until checked against factory documents.

CodeMeaningStatusSource
M030 Sport suspension package
Standard on the 1988 Turbo S. Sometimes also called a «Club Sport package» – content per year still to be checked.
 unverified [6][5][4][8]
M193 Sport seats (Recaro) unverified [6]
M220 Limited-slip differential (sources give 40 % locking)
Apparently standard on the 1988 Turbo S and 1989 Turbo – a lead only, unverified.
 unverified [6][8]
M340 Heated seat, right
Source is cross-model, not 944-specific.
 unverified [7]
M395 16-inch forged Fuchs wheels
Inconsistent within the source (also 16-inch alloy wheels; Fuchs partly under M398).
 unverified [6]
M437 Power-adjustable sport seat
Source names M437 and M438 together; left/right assignment not documented.
 unverified [6]
M438 Power-adjustable sport seat
See M437.
 unverified [6]
M455 Cruise control
Another part of the same source gives M454 – code still to be checked.
 unverified [6]
M471 Meaning on the 944 unclear
Conflicting entries (incl. rear spoiler, sport package); listed as sport suspension on the 924. No reliable entry.
 unclear [7][6]
M474 Sport shock absorber package
Statements on standard fitment per model conflict within the source.
 unverified [6]
M491 Turbo look (widebody) package unverified [6]
M637 Club Sport package (944 S, 1987–1988) unverified [5]
M650 Power sunroof
Elsewhere in the same source also described as a removable roof panel.
 unverified [6]
M652 Heated front seats unverified [6]
M757 «Celebration Edition» special model (1988)
910 cars: 403 satin black, 507 Zermatt silver.
 unverified [4]
M758 Cited in connection with the 944 Turbo S (model year 1988)
Source lists the code as the designation of the 1988 944 Turbo S; package content not documented.
 unverified [6]

Paint codes

Paint codes are also on the data label. Swatches are only an approximate on-screen rendering.

CodeColourYearsStatusSource
L027 Guards Red
From the source's «early 944 (1982–1985)» list; German factory name not yet documented.
 1982–1985 unverified [6]
L041 Black
Second source writes L041 (digit 0); previously recorded here as LO41.
 1982–1985 unverified [6][10]
L80K India Red
From the source's «early 944 (1982–1985)» list; German factory name not yet documented.
 1982–1985 unverified [6]
L895 Garnet Red Metallic
From the source's «early 944 (1982–1985)» list; German factory name not yet documented.
 1982–1985 unverified [6]
L90E Alpine White 1984–1991 unverified [9][10][6]
L96D Zermatt Silver Metallic
From the source's «early 944 (1982–1985)» list; German factory name not yet documented.
 1982–1985 unverified [6]
L999 Platinum Metallic
From the source's «early 944 (1982–1985)» list; German factory name not yet documented.
 1982–1985 unverified [6]
LM3A India Red
Conflict: one source gives LM3A as «India Red», another gives «India Red» = L80K and «Guards Red» = L027. Mapping open.
 1985–1991 unclear [10]
LY9B Brilliant Black 1991 unverified [10]

Production by model and model year

Figures from a secondary source, not yet checked against factory documents. Where totals do not add up, we say so – we do not smooth anything.

944 1982–1989 · 113,070 unverified
MY Total World USA Note
1982 3,921 3,921 –
1983 14,633 9,127 5,490 incl. 20 Callaway 944 Turbo (US)
1984 26,539 9,921 16,618
1985 23,720 17,553 6,167
1986 17,010 6,109 10,901
1987 10,689 2,343 8,346
1988 5,965 2,226 3,731
1989 10,593 4,941 5,652 2.7-litre engine
Stated total 113,070 56,921 [5]

⚠ World and US columns add up to 113,062, not 113,070.

944 Turbo (951/952) 1985–1991 · 25,245 unverified
MY Total World USA Note
1985 178 178 –
1986 10,937 3,424 7,513 incl. 12 Turbo S/SE prototypes
1987 4,955 1,546 3,210 plus 88 (world) and 11 (US) Turbo Cup
1988 4,097 1,875 1,874 incl. 1,635 Turbo S
1989 4,103 1,333 1,385
1990 1,251 1,107 144
1991 938 938 – incl. 251 Turbo Cabriolet; a magazine article (Excellence, 10/1991) gives 525
Stated total 25,245 13,982 [5]

⚠ The yearly figures add up to 26,459; the source gives 25,245 as the total.

944 S 1987–1988 · 12,936 unverified
MY Total World USA Note
1987 5,224 1,912 3,312 incl. Club Sport
1988 7,562 2,321 5,391 incl. Club Sport
Stated total 12,936 8,815 [5]

⚠ The total additionally includes 151 special editions without a year.

944 S2 Coupé 1989–1991 · 14,071 unverified
MY Total World USA Note
1989 7,632 4,941 2,691
1990 3,321 2,872 449
1991 3,118 2,608 510
Stated total 14,071 3,650 [5]

⚠ The source says «around 14,071».

944 S2 Cabriolet 1989–1991 · 5,656 unverified
MY Total World USA Note
1989 – – 16 1989 world production not established
1990 3,938 2,114 1,824
1991 1,702 1,140 562
Stated total 5,656 2,402 [5][4]

⚠ Another figure gives 6,980 S2 Cabriolets (1989–1991).

How to read the status

  • verified Checked against a standard or primary source.
  • unverified Taken from secondary sources, not yet checked against factory documents. Use with care.
  • unclear Sources conflict – no reliable entry.

Sources

  1. Standard 49 CFR Part 565 – Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Requirements
    U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (NHTSA) · Standard · accessed 6 November 2026

    US regulation defining the 17-character VIN, the model-year code (position 10) and check digit (position 9). Model years 1980–2009 use the earlier year-code cycle.

  2. Secondary source Porsche VIN specification
    Wikipedia (en) · Reference work · accessed 6 November 2026

    Secondary source. Lists WMI, type positions 7/8/12, plant codes and serial ranges. To be checked against factory documents.

  3. Secondary source Porsche 944 (All Years) – VIN Numbers
    stuttcars.com · Trade media · accessed 6 November 2026

    Secondary source; only the MY 1989–1991 table is publicly visible. Confirms type 94…4 / 95…1 and serial ranges.

  4. Secondary source Porsche 944
    Wikipedia (de) · Reference work · accessed 10 November 2026

    Secondary source. Covers special series (Turbo S, Celebration Edition) among others. «Technische Daten» table with torque, 0–100 km/h, top speed and kerb weight, without its own reference.

  5. Secondary source Porsche 944 (Abschnitt «Production»)
    Wikipedia (en) · Reference work · accessed 7 November 2026

    Secondary source. Production tables per model year, no book citation; totals are partly inconsistent.

  6. Secondary source Porsche 944 Options & Equipment Codes
    stuttcars.com · Trade media · accessed 6 November 2026

    Secondary source with per-model-year lists. Partly conflicts with other lists.

  7. Secondary source Porsche Option Codes
    turbosition.com · Trade media · accessed 6 November 2026

    Cross-model list, not 944-specific.

  8. Forum (lead only) Diskussion: «What are these options?» (944 Turbo Forum)
    Rennlist Forum · Forum · accessed 6 November 2026

    Forum post – a lead only, not proof.

  9. Secondary source 944 Farbinformation 1985 (PDF)
    Gescanntes Verkaufsdokument, Herkunft ungeklärt · Other · accessed 6 November 2026

    Appears to be a factory colour leaflet; origin and completeness unverified.

  10. Secondary source Porsche 944 Paint Color Options & Samples
    stuttcars.com · Trade media · accessed 6 November 2026

    Secondary source with paint codes per model year.