How to decode a Ferrari F355 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ferrari F355 VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code at the beginning of every vehicle identification number (VIN) that identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer. For the Ferrari F355, the WMI is ZFF, which reflects the prestigious Italian heritage of the Ferrari brand. These three characters signify that the car was produced by Ferrari S.p.A. and initiates the VIN, which is utilized across the globe to provide specific information about the vehicle, including its country of origin, which for the F355 is Italy—a country known for its luxurious and high-performance automobiles. The WMI is an essential part of the VIN, as it establishes the vehicle’s authenticity and is the first clue to the car’s identity.
List of WMI Codes for a Ferrari F355
WMI: ZFF
- Model Years Covered: 1996, 1998-1999
- Example VIN: ZFFXR42A1T0104858
- Manufacturer Name: Ferrari S.p.A.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Modena
- State or Province:
- Country: Italy
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ferrari F355 VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Ferrari F355:
| Known VDS for a Ferrari F355 | ||
|---|---|---|
| XR42A | XR41A | XR48A |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Ferrari F355 VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Ferrari F355 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| X | 1999 Ferrari F355 |
| W | 1998 Ferrari F355 |
| T | 1996 Ferrari F355 |
11th Character in the Ferrari F355 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ferrari F355 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Maranello | Italy | ZFFXR42A1T0104858 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ferrari F355
The final 6 characters in a Ferrari F355’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Ferrari F355’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ferrari F355 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Ferrari F355, near where the windshield meets the dash. You can typically see the VIN plate through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. A VIN sticker is often located where the door latches when closed on your Ferrari F355.
- Check the Ferrari F355’s engine bay. The VIN might also be stamped on the chassis near the engine.
- Review the vehicle registration documents, title, or insurance papers, as these should all have the VIN listed for your Ferrari F355.
- Inspect the rear wheel well. With the wheel turned, look at the area above the tire; sometimes a VIN can be found stamped in the body there.
- Look underneath the front of the car, near the windshield washer bottle mount, as some cars have the VIN in this location.
- For a thorough investigation, check with a Ferrari dealer or a Ferrari F355’s service manual for additional VIN location recommendations specific to the vehicle model.
What info can a Ferrari F355 VIN reveal?
- Destination Market: The VIN may reveal the intended destination market for the vehicle, potentially indicating that the Ferrari F355 was intended for sale in North America.
- Plant City: The VIN might provide the location of the plant city where the Ferrari F355 was manufactured, possibly pointing to Maranello as the manufacturing location.
- Series: The VIN can possibly indicate the specific series or variant of the Ferrari F355, such as the Berlinetta.
- Trim: The VIN may specify the trim level of the vehicle, possibly indicating F355 or F355 F1.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can potentially identify the type of vehicle as a passenger car.
- Body Class: The VIN may provide information about the body style of the Ferrari F355, potentially indicating a coupe body style.
- Front Air Bag Locations: The VIN might indicate the presence of front air bags in the vehicle, specifically in the first row for the driver and passenger.
Don’t have your Ferrari F355’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ferrari F355
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Destination Market | U.S., Canada, Mexico |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Model | F 129 C |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | F355 |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Plant City | Maranello |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Italy |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | GTS |
| Vehicle Descriptor | ZFFXR42A*T0 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | ZFFXR42A1T0104858 |
Decode a Ferrari VIN
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