australian delivered cabriolet confusion?

[Hero911]

Here is a question for the people who know everything about 911 Cabriolets. Why were some 3.2 Cabriolets delivered as 2 seaters and yet some have rear seats installed? Was the rear seat just an option? Mine is a '88 2 seater, I have been told that all Australian delivered cabs were 2 seaters, is this correct? I have searched the net but cannot find any reference to this question. I suspect that Australian design rules may have something to do with it???

[Matt Smith]

I assume that Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG realised Australia is indeed a large country, devoid of citizens- hence little need for passenger seats.

If it's any consolation, NZ delivered 911's have a (relay assisted) shearing socket factory installed. You gotta hand it to them. Welcome to the forum.

[f3nr15]

IIRC, you are right about the Aust delivered cabs being 2-seaters; 944 cabs were similarly delivered with only 2 seats.

I can't imagine that the additional rear seats would have even been an option, and suspect that 4-seater cabs have either had the extra seats retrofitted by the owners, or were originally delivered overseas.

[JohnJL]

Jillaroos dont need seats, just fold the fronts flat. They like the "back bonnet" too. ;-)

[1982911SCTarga]

I'm curious what you Aussie cab owners do if you pick up three dinki-di sheilas?

Brian

[johndglynn]

It's a seat belt issue. I believe the Oz authorities required three point belts for all seats much earlier and Porsche couldn't do them on 911 Cabs with the roof down. Seem to remember reading this in a book of old road tests/press releases - might try and find it wherever it is.

[DYB]

I have sat in the rear of a 911 cab aussie delivered and it most certainly had rear seats.

[geoz]

I just got my 88 Cabrio delivered today & the official paperwork lists it as a 2 seater. It does have rear seats and lapbelts installed, and I will ask the RTA if it can be re-classified. second option would be to install 3-point belts, has anyone done that?

Funny enough I have seen an imported UK version that was registered in QLD as 2+2, same lapbelts etc ...

cheers

hg

[PK010]

Originally Posted by johndglynn

It's a seat belt issue. I believe the Oz authorities required three point belts for all seats much earlier and Porsche couldn't do them on 911 Cabs with the roof down. Seem to remember reading this in a book of old road tests/press releases - might try and find it wherever it is.

This is correct, three point seat belts were required and since there were no mounting points the rear seats were deleted for the Australian market.

The cars you see here in Australia with rear seats are usually either from HK or the UK. Same issue with the Mercedes R107 SL cabriolets (350SL, 380SL, 560SL).

My cab has some nice lockers where the seats would be...

PK