M491 production numbers

[jimbauman]

Is there a source to learn the number of factory widebody coupes, targas, and cabs produced from 1984-1989?

Thx,
JB

[McLovin]

There is no *accurate* source.

There is a letter on Porsche letterhead that has floated around for years, but it has conclusively been proven to be very inaccurate.

Because M491 was only an option, not a separate model, there are apparently not good records at the factory.

[rvctyjim]

Turbolook-Register - Register

[myamoto1]

Here's the doc McLovin' mentioned. Again, keep in mind these numbers are fairly suspect:




I also tried registering on the M491 site Jim posted, but never heard back and gave up.

[McLovin]

yeah, that's the letter.

Problem is, people have documented more US cars, identified by specific VIN and usually pictures, too, than shown on that list. For example, if it says 8 cabs in '86, people have documented way more than that number. So the list is not credible.

[jimbauman]

I'm sure that letter refers to US sales numbers, and does not include Canada and ROW, from where widebodies could have been imported.

Of course, give me Photoshop and 15 minutes and I'll give you any numbers you want!

JB

[myamoto1]

McLovin - agreed. The letter is useless and can't be traced back to a reliable source.

JB - give me 10 minutes and I can prove there were 2 908 targas imported in '86

[jimbauman]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

JB - give me 10 minutes and I can prove there were 2 908 targas imported in '86

You don't need to prove it. I happen to own one of them.

Seriously, there must be a verifiable source for these numbers SOMEWHERE....

JB

[jimbauman]

FWIW, here is a doc I saw on the 491 registry.... it confirms the 16 1987 Cab number in the suspect list. This at least has some names and addresses associated with it...



JB

[ttweed]

Originally Posted by jimbauman

Seriously, there must be a verifiable source for these numbers SOMEWHERE....

Not that anyone has been able to determine. Join the Yahoo FTL group and the German Registry site linked above for all the info that currently exists. Norbert Franz, the guy who runs the Euro registry is active on that Yahoo list and has helped people register who have had problems in the past.

TT

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by jimbauman

FWIW, here is a doc I saw on the 491 registry.... it confirms the 16 1987 Cab number in the suspect list. This at least has some names and addresses associated with it...



JB

More than 16 U.S. delivered '87 Cab 491 cars have been documented, with VIN and pictures. So that "confirming" letter is also inaccurate, it's just repeating prior inaccurate information.

[dsmeyer]

The old PCNA 'list' shows 5 Coupes for 1986, but I have found 19... so far.

Here's the link to my list... 1986 Turbo Look Coupes

[kycarguy 935]

I had one of the 87 M491 Cabs around 18 years ago. It started life as a DP935 but after much of the DP935 body work was removed I belive the guy I sold it to was going to return it back to a stock M491. It was dark blue and forget the actual name of the color.

[viperbyte]

"Questionable" M491 production numbers letter validated by Porsche Cars NA