911 Year-split in 1985?

[Brando]

Hello. I was wondering if there was a production split (in model year) in 1985, or if the newer version of the 911 started production at the beginning of 1986. I ask because I have a 1985 (11/85) Targa I'm trying to find a top for and have to know if I should buy a top for 1985 or 1986 targa.

Thanks!

[onboost]

I think what you need to know is the clamping method on the windshield frame.

Is it the "c" or claw (as I like to call them) style clamp or roller? I can't remember which year but I believe it was 86 ythat started getting the roller style.

[Flat6pac]

You need to match the car. The early top has the double clips on each side and the later has a single roller. The handles differ too. The early one has a round shaft with a T prong about 5mm from the end. The later has about 1/4 inch drive, like a nut driver on the end.
A production date of 11/85 should be registered as an 86. Reference says early style through 85
Bruce

[Brando]

If by "Claw" you mean latches that claw under the frame akin to a 914 and "Roller" as in a latch that rolls into the frame... This car has the "roller" style.

Thank you gents for the info! I thought Porsche only pulled this year-split crap with the 1-off models like 914s, 924s and 944s...

[onboost]

Originally Posted by Brando

If by "Claw" you mean latches that claw under the frame akin to a 914 and "Roller" as in a latch that rolls into the frame... This car has the "roller" style.

Thank you gents for the info! I thought Porsche only pulled this year-split crap with the 1-off models like 914s, 924s and 944s...

Yes, you need the later style top..

Nope, not "year split".. in the industry these are known as "running changes. " If I recall, the cabs went through this around the same time as well.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Not only that, if you check your VIN you'll find that it's a 1986 car. The 10th digit is the year model (if you have an "F" your car is an '85, if you have a "G" your car is an '86). Porsches built from September of a certain year are usually part of normal production for the following year. There are times when carry-over occurs, but not often.

[speeder]

The Porsche factory, like all European factories, shuts down for vacation at a set time every year. I believe that it's all of August but the exact date is not important. This is when all change-over to the next model year, (MY), occurs. There is never any chance on earth that a car built in November, or Oct. or Sept. for that matter is the previous year's MY. This goes for ALL vehicles including my Ford F-250 built in Kentucky, BTW. The only thing that varies is the exact date of change-over.

The VIN# as well as mandatory under hood stickers will ID the MY of any vehicle built in the last 40 or 50 years, (engine compartment stickers in last 30 years only), state vehicle registrations alone are worthless since mistakes on those are common. Especially for older vehicles.

Long story short, there is no such thing as a "1985 targa" built in 11/85.

[tcar]

Not crap.

86 model year is Sep 85 to Aug 86.

Pretty standard in the industry, even the US.