Let it Snow! Tale of a Tail

[pozee]

Happy Holidays all.

Picked up an 87 a few weeks ago. 88k mi. Drives very well. A seasonal shot below. Will post more later as weather permits.

[wolf]

Nice car. Is the extra brake-light obligatory?

[livi]

Looks great!

No drifting pics..?

[pozee]

Thanks Wolf/Markus. The brake light is integrated into the tail. The car seems to be an early '87 Carrera because it has the two heater levers along with the knob on the center console. I thought the '87 cars came sans levers. Some sorting out still to do.

Merry Christmas!

Amsterdam/Sweden great places this time of year!

[unclebilly]

Describe the shift pattern... Does your car have reverse to the right and down (915) or to the left and up (G50)? 915 trans = early 87, G50 = late 87...

[tshih]

All 1987's have the ET 3rd brake light (USDOT strikes again). The trans is a G50 not 915. Check VIN# it should have an H where the model year digit should designate 1987MY.

[Car Guru]

Very, very nice picture.

-Ryan

[fly4val]

Would make a great Xmas card?....maybe next year?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

nice shot.

how's the Ed Special coming along?

[pozee]

Yes - definitely an '87 and G50.

The 70's coming along...a little slower than I would like, though.

Now back to tracking Santa....

[preston_brown]

My 87 does not have an "E.T." third brake light. Instead, it is inside the rear glass up at the top. Not sure when they made the cutover.

[Blaine Sellie]

Originally Posted by tshih

All 1987's have the ET 3rd brake light (USDOT strikes again). The trans is a G50 not 915. Check VIN# it should have an H where the model year digit should designate 1987MY.

Cabriolets have the ET periscope light.....coupes have them in the rear window.

Blaine

[9dreizig]

Originally Posted by Blaine Sellie

Cabriolets have the ET periscope light.....coupes have them in the rear window.

Blaine

Huh? not according to the pic above ?? Great pic BTW

[richde]

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

Huh? not according to the pic above ?? Great pic BTW

Maybe it didn't originally come with a tail....

[cygtoad]

Originally Posted by preston_brown

My 87 does not have an "E.T." third brake light. Instead, it is inside the rear glass up at the top. Not sure when they made the cutover.

Ditto for my 87 coupe.

The car also has a rear windshield wiper. I have the plug, for it, but I have never seen one installed. Cool option.

Congratulations on the car, Pozee.

[pozee]

Thanks, cygtoad.

I'll do some more research, but I'm pretty sure this is the way it came from the factory. I did find several images of 930's with the 3rd brake light option and one 87 Carrera with exactly this setup (tail and 3rd light). I have also seen some coupes (87) with the 3rd light inside at the bottom edge of the rear window and many more with it on the top edge.

On a different note, do you have the two levers for the heat or just the knob on the center console? I understand that cars with just knobs have up to 9 settings on the knob. With the levers, the knob has 4 (if I recall correctly w/o checking).

Carrera's in black do have a certain appeal!

All the best with yours.

[wolf]

Strange you have the levers, my 85 only has the knob.

[cygtoad]

Originally Posted by pozee

Thanks, cygtoad.

On a different note, do you have the two levers for the heat or just the knob on the center console? I understand that cars with just knobs have up to 9 settings on the knob. With the levers, the knob has 4 (if I recall correctly w/o checking).

All the best with yours.

There are two types of heat with the 911.   The automatic type has something like 9 settings.   I am not familiar with it because mine is much like yours with the two levers and a 4 position rotary switch between the seats; off ,1, 2, and 3 (manually adjusted heat)

There are a bunch of articles on this site which explain the heating system.   It is probably the most mis-understood item to new owners.

Essentially pulling up on the levers opens up the air flow from the heat exchangers which heat fresh air from the exhaust.   As you pull up on the levers micro switches activate small fans (listen for them) to move the air forward.   The positional switches control the rate of the fans.

The middle lever in the dash controls where the air flow goes (up or down).   The small top lever on the left controls how much cold outside air is mixed in.   The fan lever on the top right controls the rate of cold air.

I read a review article on the Carrera which said "the front defrost is for laughs".   I would say that about sums it up.   Crack your window and keep a towel in the car for the times it gets really bad.   You will learn to cope.

Yes, black is quite nice isn't it.

It is entirely possible that the ET light was factory installed.   The 911 body parts were not hand hammered like the 356 but the 911 was most certainly hand assembled and as such had variations even within production years with regard to parts availability as well as the preference of of the purchaser.

I have had my 911 for about 5 years now, and I can tell you that every time I get behind the wheel I just cannot forget that I am driving a 911.   I am sure you are smiling from ear to ear when you drive yours.

Take care,

Matt

[wolf]

Originally Posted by cygtoad

I read a review article on the Carrera which said "the front defrost is for laughs".   I would say that about sums it up.
Matt

Mmm, I think that is an old myth. If I use max defrost, that is all levers to the right and turnknob max right then I have very adequate defrost... Cars were made for Europe before global heating set in, so adequate heating and defrost were a must. However 1. you have to know how use the controls and 2. all stuff must work.

[3.2 CAB]

Hi pozee, your high rise third brake light, should be part# 911 631 072 00. This is the part number for an external 3rd brake light, for a 911 with a spoiler. Porsche actually used 5 different 3rd brake lights:
1. 1986-1989 - 911 631 071 00, external without spoiler
2. 1986-1989 - 911 631 072 00, external hi-rise with spoiler
3. 1986-1989 - 911 631 070 00 01C, inside upper
4. 1987-1989 - 911 631 080 00, coupe, inside lower
5. 1987-1989 - 911 631 070 01, targa, inside lower
From this, if the rear spoiler is a factory installed item, #2 would be the correct part for your car. Hope this helps, Tony.