Car nerds are often heard uttering this phrase when talking about cars:

Numbers Matching

What they are generally referring to is the desire to have some proof that the car still has its original power train (engine/transmission/etc.) as when it left the factory.  A car with an engine or tranny swap is potentially less desirable than an ‘all original’.

This got me thinking – where are all the numbers on the DB9?

In this article I will chronicle where I find them so you can dig them up on your car too!  [Share where you find them too in the comment section below and I will keep this updated]

What should your numbers be?

Finding out your factor original numbers isn’t difficult, but you’ll need to reach out to your Aston Martin Dealer or contact the Aston Martin Heritage Trust (see my discussion on how on the My Car page).   I did both, and the three numbers I think that matter most are:

• Your VIN number
  • Looks like this SCFAD01A35GA01906
• Your Engine number
  • Looks like this AM04/10305
• Your Vehicle number
  • This is the factor number for your car as it was being built, and inspiration for the title of my blog.  My car number is 240-1936

One last thing to consider might be ‘original color’ and this number is also hidden on the car.

Finding your Numbers

The official Aston Martin Workshop Manual has a section in its introduction that lists where to find the VIN and Transmission numbers.  You can check it out here.  Since their pictures are taken on parts not even installed in a car, my descriptions below might be a little more helpful in finding some of them in-situ.

VIN Number

The VIN number is located in several locations on the car.  Why?  So you can spot a scam.  All four VINs should match of course, if they don’t, walk away.

• Location 1 – On the Dash.  This is the easy one, we all look here for the VIN number.  Driver side front edge of the dash, as seen through the windscreen.  In the close up you can see it is engraved, not a printed sticker.
• Location 2 – Drivers Side Door.  When you open the drivers side door there are a couple of stickers on the end of the door near the latch assembly.  One is your tire pressure sticker (mentioned in my article on setting your tire pressures properly), and the other is the VIN number sticker.   Along with the VIN you can see the data of Manufacture (January 2005 in for my car), the Gross Vehicle Axle Weights (overall, front and rear) in pounds.  Since this stickers weights are listed in pounds, and the similar data on the location 3 sticker (below) is in kilograms, I wonder if this sticker is strictly for the US Market. [Readers from other countries, please let me know]
• Location 3 – Engine Bay.   If you open the Hood and look down right between the radiator and the front of the engine, there is a cross member.  On the cross member will be a sticker with the VIN.  Just use an inspection light and peer straight down by the crank pulley.

  

• Location 4 – Right Hand Floor.  This one is hidden, designed to trip up the casual forger.  Pull up the carpet in the right hand foot well and it will be stamped in the aluminum floor pan.  I haven’t gone in for a photo of this one yet.
• Location 5 – Through the Infotainment System.   This one is available through the electronics, and accessed via the Menu system on the car Infotainment audio system.   Press the Menu button next to the volume/on/off knob, then select Car Settings/Information/VIN Number.  You’ll be rewarded with the VIN on screen.

Chassis Number

This is an easy one.  It is the last 6 digits of your VIN number.  No separate stickers or plates to identify it.   It will start with an “A” for a coupe, or a “B” for a Volante (convertible).  My car is chassis number A01906.

Engine Number

The engine number is stamped on the left hand side of the engine block.  It’s not easy to see, but you CAN see it without removing any parts of the car.  Use an inspection light and peer down carefully in a dark garage.  You might want to use a smart phone and snap a picture like I did below so you can zoom it up to be able to actually read it.

Vehicle Number

The Vehicle Number is Aston Martin’s internal build number during production that represented your car.   For DB9’s, it appears they all start with 240- and then end with a number unique to your vehicle.  For my car, it was 1936, so 240-1936.

I have found the car number all over the back of the Interior panels.   Just about any interior panel I have had off has had this number written across it as the trimmers used it to keep track of my cars matching interior panels.   A really easy one to ‘pop off’ for a quick check would be the Driver Side Lower Panel (essentially the panel in front of your knees).  It just pulls off fairly simply (check out my video on how to do this here).   On the back you’ll find something like this.

Transmission Number (Automatic)

I’ve not crawled under and looked for this one yet, so stay tuned.  The workshop manual says its on the Left Hand side, and from the photo it appears it might be on a plate located just ahead of the rubber exhaust hanger .

While I had the rear undertray removed as part of my 2 year service I was able to stick my camera in and finally get a picture of it.   Model 020037 and Serial Number 0096919.

Paint Color

You have a couple of ways of finding the original paint color.

The first is by contacting your Aston Martin Dealer and asking them for a print out of your cars original specification is easy enough to do.  I did this as part of researching the data on the ‘My Car’ page (check it out here).

The second is by finding the factory sticker hidden on the car.  It’s kept just under the front scuttle plate in the engine compartment.  You have to carefully remove the 18 T30 Torx bolts to remove the plate.  When you do, you’ll find a sticker on the cross member that lists your car number (241936 in my case), the original AST paint color (Merlot Red AST1342 in my case) and then another phrase which I presume is the Primer color (Light Grey in my case).