M491 - What was first year (other than RSR)?
 

I was curious about a car that the owner claims to have the M491 option. The car is a 1977 carrera. I know that the option was available 1984-1989. Was it available as a "quiet" option in the 70's?

......just curious

James

1973 - the Carrera was the M491 option if my memory is still working

Jeremy, I think you're thinking of the M471 - lightweight version of the RS. M472 was touring version, M491 was RSR.

Since then, M491 means factory turbo-look. As far as I know, that was first offered for the U.S. 84 model year. Unless this car was specially fitted this way from the factory in '77, I'd say it was an aftermarket conversion. There's certainly no shortage of those!

per this web site http://www.turbo-look.de/e/1e.php the M491 was first introduced in 1984

Certificate of authenticity would tell you and he should have if real...money could buy just about any option, although it might have a different code. Sounds rather early.

You are right - brain fart - it sucks getting old

IIRC, , boxsterGT a poster here, said he has a turbo look midyear 911 with it noted on the coa. I would send him an email and ask about it.

With some of the earlier cars, the Certificate of authenticity is sometimes incorrect or incomplete in its data.

Besides, in thoses days you could order whatever you wanted that your bank account could allow!

So.......his 77 "could" be a wide body car? If he has certification, it could be inaccurate. How else can it be proved?

James

Or falsified.

The first year for M491 was '84. If you are lucky enough, or at least that's what the dealer said, to have the original hood with the sticker on it the option would be there. Another way is to check the brake calipers and see how they are mounted. The M491, as well as the turbo, had Brembo 4 piston calipers and on the back were mounted on the rear of the rotor. The suspension, except for the tie rod ends, was from the Turbo.
I have been told by many that when conversions were done it was way too much work to change the trailing arms and calipers for most. If the rear suspension has been changed on a conversion than some one did a very thorough job.