Presenting "Vents," my 1989 911 M491 / M470 coupe

[famoroso]

By way of introduction, those of you that know me here, or via Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amoroso.frank/?hl=en), know that I am king of the M491 FanBoys. I currently own two G50 M491 coupes, including a PTS Gemini Blue 1987 491/470... Nice article in Panorama on M491 coupe ...and ths new to me 1989 coupe captioned below.

I sold my pristine, 61k mile '88 M491 / M470 cab via Bring A Trailer on 2/22. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-82/

The transporter whisked her away on 2/28. At which point, I jumped into a rental car to begin an epic 3,000 mile road trip, the last half of which, from Seattle to San Diego (with stops in Portland, Corvallis, Bend, Ashland and San Francisco) were in my new to me 1989 M491 coupe.



Introducing "Vents," number ten of fifteen M491 factory widebodies, and, as a subset thereof, the third of five M470 spoiler delete coupes delivered to North America during the final model year of G Body production. It is Grand Prix White on Burgundy, with 135k miles. The car is heavily optioned, including, among other things, LSD, color keyed Fuchs and Special Wishes rear fender air intake ducts (a.k.a. "Vents").
At some point in the past thirty-two years, the car sprouted a tea-tray tail (with an aftermarket base) and a 930 rubber front lip spoiler. Here's a shot of the car as it will eventually look, with the tail edited out...



...the vents and white Fuchs are super '80s RADwood royalty.

The car is sorted mechanically, replete with a valve job / top end rebuild and new clutch approximately 8k miles ago. Cosmetically, she will need a bare metal respray at some point (current paint thicknesses of 10 to 17 mils) as well as a refurbished interior (which will likely include toning down the Burgundy to a lesser or greater degree. I've already installed a black stock steering wheel and black stock shift knob. I have a set of black sport seats that will likely find their way into the car in the meantime). I am currently debating a stock "restoration," vs. full hot rod, vs something in between. I'll likely end up somewhere right of center on that continuum. I already have a pretty pristine Gemini Blue 1987 M491 / M470 coupe that, although mildly wife-unfriendly, is still rather civilized. As a result, I am planning for Vents to be an even more wife-unfriendly hot rod... stiffer suspension, AC delete, heat delete, M&K long tube headers with valved secondaries and a GT3 muffler, Rebel Racing sphericals, etc. Intended use is: canyon carving dawn-patrol runs, followed by Cars & Coffees, on any given Saturday. An "enduro," if you will.

I am 6'2" tall and my head hits the ceiling of the car if I hit a bump / undulation in the road. Given this, and as part of the respray, I am considering a sunroof delete for the obvious reasons of headroom, weight savings and aesthetics (in that order). I am including a poll hereto as I am interested in Pelican Nation's thoughts. I'm excited for the project and eventually bringing her to the next level, at least. Anything else I do to the car will either be reversible, or mostly stealthy, like 8" & 9" RSR finish Fuchs w/ R Comp tires, Club Sport style front valance / fog light delete, Club Sport engine mounts, Titanium engine carrier, Euro bumper crush tubes, rear bumperette delete, etc.

Anyway, I will update this thread as the project progresses. Please chime in on your thoughts re: "To sunroof delete, or not to sunroof delete?" That is the question - Whether 'tis nobler to hot rod or restore. Yes, it is a rare, numbers matching car, but at 135k miles, will it ever really be collectible? As an M491 it occupies a niche-y market. As opposed to "the market" seeing 491s as something more than a standard 3.2 (i.e. the UK "SuperSport" nomenclature), they are viewed as something less than a 930 (i.e. the stigma associated with the "Turbo Look" moniker in the US).

I've attached some additional pics and you can see more at https://amoroso.smugmug.com/1989-Porsche-911-M491-M470-Vents You can also see updates on Instagram at @amoroso.frank and / or https://instagram.com/specialwishes1989m491?igshid=aviiqde28eax













After this afternoon's steering wheel swap (radio delete, and shift knob swap)...



Their first night together...

[autojack]

Another killer addition to your garage Frank. Now you have 911's in two of my favorite colors!

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

Epic journey! Nice car. I kinda dig the burgundy interior.

[jac1976]

I dig the burgundy interior, too. Maybe just changing out the carpet for black will tone it down enough?

[75 911s]

Pretty much everyone here knows my feelings on a sunroof delete. It's the single best mod you can do if you are 6'2 or taller. Especially those who are long in the torso (i happen to be both long legged and long torso'd at nearly 6'6") Anyway, it completely changes the driving position for the better. No longer are you forced to lean the seat to a ridiculous angle and when you hit a bump you don't tap the roof. Yes now you can wear hats too.

Tall guys know, the sunroof isn't even in the right spot. It's great if I want to sun my crotch.
Since the seat is pushed all the way back and leaned back, you are behind the opening now.

Yeah it's heavy af too. nearly 30 pounds of hideous rails, drive cables, a motor, and huge heavy subframe.

Let's talk about the rectangle on the roof line. Great if you have a square tea tray to go with it, otherwise blech.

Sunroofs are a bad luxury addon from 1970's America. It's really a shame so many US destination coupes had them added from the factory. Even worse, a few factory slicktops were molested by aftermarket companies here in the US. My 77 slicktop had an atrocious aftermarket sunroof added in 1978.

Porsche sins: Sunroofs, sugar scoops, and rear US impact bumpers.

I bought a Targa for true open top experience.

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by autojack

Another killer addition to your garage Frank. Now you have 911's in two of my favorite colors!

Thanks brother! 🙌🏼

Originally Posted by Pedro '84 Coupe

Epic journey! Nice car. I kinda dig the burgundy interior.

I'll admit, it has grown on me. However, it still needs toning down.

Here are some toning down ideas / exercises...

Originally Posted by jac1976

I dig the burgundy interior, too. Maybe just changing out the carpet for black will tone it down enough?

Given that she needs a full interior due to: cracked dash, cracking driver's seat, moldy rear seat cushions, broken driver's door pocket, etc., I'm contemplating two potential interior configurations. Recaro Pole Position ABE seats, with their EASILY replaceable seat cushions, will feature regardless.

Option 1) Burgundy Up / Black Down (see driver's door pic above). Assuming the sunroof stays in place: dashboard cover, door tops, A, B & C pillar trim and headliner in burgundy, with door cards, carpets and mats in black. Tying that together will be seat bolsters in black leather, with Houndstooth seat cushions in black, white, and burgundy accent. P1 Design's material appears to be too red. On the other hand, the material in Nick Psyllos's '73 look perfect...







Option 2) Should the sunroof get deleted, The interior will get redone in black. Black seat bolsters, with white & grey(s) seat cushions a la one of the 964 Carrera RS colorway options...

Similar to this...

Originally Posted by 75 911s

Pretty much everyone here knows my feelings on a sunroof delete. It's the single best mod you can do if you are 6'2 or taller. Especially those who are long in the torso (i happen to be both long legged and long torso'd at nearly 6'6") Anyway, it completely changes the driving position for the better. No longer are you forced to lean the seat to a ridiculous angle and when you hit a bump you don't tap the roof. Yes now you can wear hats too.

Yeah, I'm 6'2" and long-ish of torso. My head hits the ceiling when I hit a bump / undulation. I can't wear baseball caps with the button on top. At rest, the height of the button represents the difference between my head hitting the ceiling or not. 🤦

At 6'6", I'd imagine sunroof delete is mandatory for you!


Thanks for the input everyone. Keep it coming. This is a longer term project and the scope & direction will change over time.

[megerian]

Really nice addition Frank, congrats.

One question, as one of the 15 1989 M491 Coupes, and also one of the 5 M470, do you know why the COA doesnt show something like spoiler delete? Do your other M470 cars show that option?

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by megerian

Really nice addition Frank, congrats.

One question, as one of the 15 1989 M491 Coupes, and also one of the 5 M470, do you know why the COA doesnt show something like spoiler delete? Do your other M470 cars show that option?

Great pickup Magerian. Yeah, I don't know why.

I do know that COAs for both my '87 and former '88 show...

"Turbo Look"
"Without Spoilers"

This '89 shows M491 and M470 option codes on the underhood sticker. I've confirmed same with Norbert at the turbo-look.com registry.

Although this '89 COA shows...
"'Turbo Look' Body"
and just "Spoiler"



To be honest, I don't recall seeing just the word "Spoiler" on a COA before. So, I don't know what it means in this instance. Curious!

I'll reach out to some of the previous owners listed in the records and see if I can't piece it together. It's a bit of a mystery. I wish I had the original window sticker.

[Locker537]

Congrats on the car!

Regarding the sunroof, do whatever makes you happier. I would need a solution if I was hitting my head. I had to do quite a bit of work to fit my seats into my SC with a helmet...

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by Locker537

Congrats on the car!

Regarding the sunroof, do whatever makes you happier. I would need a solution if I was hitting my head. I had to do quite a bit of work to fit my seats into my SC with a helmet...

Yeah, although I don't plan on wearing a helmet in this car (I have an Elise track car for that), I despise sunroofs. I'm leaning towards the delete when this car eventually goes in for paint, which could be a while. So, who's to say what happens between now and then.

I am shocked that the sunroof "keepers" are outweighing the sunroof "deleters" 9 to 4 in the attached poll. I figured most Pelicans would advocate deleting!

[spedrcr]

IMO, keep the burgundy interior, especially the doors as they are. I like the houndstooth but I'd use it as centers on those black sport seats and recover the bolsters in matching burgundy leather.

[Larmo63]

Nice car, I'd keep the sunroof, but I'm old school. Maybe try black door handles and the rest of the door stuff other than the panels?

Too much maroon for my tastes, but I think you can break it up tastefully.

[megerian]

Does the cruise work? Must have been useful during that long drive home.

[autojack]

I really like the houndstooth pattern, it has more character in my mind than just the straight leather seats.

[RFP]

Great addition to your M491 pool... congratulations. I really envy you having one so superbly suited for a long term project, no longer squeaky-clean original, but how YOU want it. I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

Rob

[panzerfaust]

Originally Posted by famoroso

Great pickup Magerian. Yeah, I don't know why.

I do know that COAs for both my '87 and former '88 show...

"Turbo Look"
"Without Spoilers"

This '89 shows M491 and M470 option codes on the underhood sticker. I've confirmed same with Norbert at the turbo-look.com registry.

Although this '89 COA shows...
"'Turbo Look' Body"
and just "Spoiler"



To be honest, I don't recall seeing just the word "Spoiler" on a COA before. So, I don't know what it means in this instance. Curious!

I'll reach out to some of the previous owners listed in the records and see if I can't piece it together. It's a bit of a mystery. I wish I had the original window sticker.

perhaps its really should say "turbo look wheel flares" the M491 dont have the anti dive front divots mounts in the body for relocating the crossmember. M491 body is closer to a 954 SCRS than a 930 in this case

perhaps the English got it right in calling theirs TL a "supersport" SSE

[Coastr]

I like the car. It’s yours but I wouldn’t be changing it. Too rare to throw away the burgundy and chop up the roof. Easy to weld some flares and vents onto a molested 75 and make it exactly as you want.

[famoroso]

Originally Posted by spedrcr

IMO, keep the burgundy interior, especially the doors as they are. I like the houndstooth but I'd use it as centers on those black sport seats and recover the bolsters in matching burgundy leather.

Fair.

A new set of Recaro Pole Position ABE Classics, with their EASILY swappable center cushions is more cost effective (and an easier resale) than custom burgundy upholstery that needs to be A) matched and B) sewn in.

Alas, the PP Classics only come with black leather bolsters... https://www.recaro-automotive.com/en/classic/recaro-classic-pole-position-abe

So, my bolsters are black leather, but I can easily play with numerous seat cushion upholstery options.

I get the added benefit of the black / Pepita PP Classics that are in my '87. So, there's some existential symmetry there that I like, not to mention, the ability to swap cushions (and matching rear seat mats) between the two.

Originally Posted by Larmo63

Nice car, I'd keep the sunroof, but I'm old school. Maybe try black door handles and the rest of the door stuff other than the panels?

Too much maroon for my tastes, but I think you can break it up tastefully.

Thanks for chiming in. I'm still undecided re: sunroof delete (hence this thread and the constructive discourse that I'd hoped it would elicit).

I'm considering your suggestion. Here's a rudimentary cell phone photo edit of that...



That's easily accomplished today, as I have the parts in hand.

However, longer term, the speakers will be deleted and I intend to go with hybrid RS door panels of this, or similar, design...



Albeit, non-deviated stitching, no speaker cutout / holes and a solid (vs strap) handle.

Originally Posted by megerian

Does the cruise work? Must have been useful during that long drive home.

Shockingly enough, at 135k miles... It does still work!!! I even used it a couple times. It'll be a shame to delete it when the time comes.

Originally Posted by autojack

I really like the houndstooth pattern, it has more character in my mind than just the straight leather seats.

Agreed.

I'm kicking around the black corduroy pattern as it might fit the nature of a wife-unfriendly, dawn patrol, canyon carver quite well...

Originally Posted by RFP

Great addition to your M491 pool... congratulations. I really envy you having one so superbly suited for a long term project, no longer squeaky-clean original, but how YOU want it. I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

Rob

Thanks my M491 Faithful brother! One of the reasons I sold my '88 was I was tired of living the "Your classic car owns you. You own your hot rod." proverb.

Originally Posted by panzerfaust

perhaps its really should say "turbo look wheel flares" the M491 dont have the anti dive front divots mounts in the body for relocating the crossmember. M491 body is closer to a 954 SCRS than a 930 in this case

perhaps the English got it right in calling theirs TL a "supersport" SSE

Well, yeah, sure, save for the... wheels, brakes, torsion bars, anti-roll bars and rear trailing arms, I suppose you're partially correct.

Originally Posted by Coastr

I like the car. It’s yours but I wouldn’t be changing it. Too rare to throw away the burgundy and chop up the roof. Easy to weld some flares and vents onto a molested 75 and make it exactly as you want.

Well, the burgundy is toast (cracked dash pad, moldy rear seats, etc.). Nothing will be thrown away, but a lot (if not all) of this original interior will live in storage whole I own the car.

Easy to weld flares on a molested '75, yes. However, I'm swimming in the 491 pool for the foreseeable future.


Thanks everyone, especially Owen for getting the party started! Please keep the comments coming.

[1979-930]

I think the car is super cool as is.
But I'm the guy that couldn't leave a 79 Turbo alone, So obviously suggesting that would make me a hypocrite... Mod everything to your style!

[GH85Carrera]

If you are planning on a bare metal respray anyway, I would indeed have my sunroof deleted. I can't see spending 20+ grand just to get rid of a sunroof.

I have owned my 911 for 26 years and driven it to 41 states and Canada, and I have opened the sunroof once when I was in Malibu, CA once, and when we drove through the Acadia national park in Maine, and once in Vermont. I hate the wind noise above 30 MPH so it was for just a short time on all three occasions. I always drive with the windows up, AC in the summer or heat in the winter, sunroof closed.

I owned a 914 for 26 years and I got a lifetime of open air driving. Been there, done that, don't want any more open air driving. I bought a coupe and would not even look at a Targa or Cabriolet at any price when I was in the market.

Just my opinion, your's may vary.