Euro or not???

laforzaland · 01-24-2002, 07:51 PM

I am looking into purchasing a 1983 Porsche 911SC Cabriolet. It is a European car (gray market) with a clean US state title.

Is there anything (technically) that I should look for when test driving this car?

Are there any advantages or disadvantages to owning a European 911 vs. an US version car of the same year?

Your expert opinions on this would be appreciated.

Norm Faustino · Norm Faustino's Garage

Welcome to the board, I guess it would be easier to give you information if we knew a little more about where you live and so on. There are a lot of things to consider with grey market cars such as smog,glass,headlights,etc... depending on the state you live in. the best bet for you is to run a search on this board, you will be amazed at the information available from the guys on this board. good luck!

Norm

laforzaland · 01-25-2002, 03:45 AM

Thanks for the reply. I am located in Illinois.

When you say to "search" this bulletin board, I assume you are asking me to plug in the words "euro 911" in the search field?

Thanks again

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

I think Euro cars are more powerful (higher compression ratio).

pohsche · 01-25-2002, 06:31 AM

Euro cars are usually a little more powerful. Check Bruce Anderson's 911 Performance book, I do believe it has the specific outputs and ratings of the different years and models. Look for the term "ROW" which simply means Rest Of World. I have a "grey market" car and have had no problems.

Alan Poh
'77 Carrera 3.0

Dug89 · 01-25-2002, 06:33 AM

There is a stigma with the Euro Cars that usually accompanies a lower price. The ROW cars need EPA and DOT certifications along with a clean title. Having a clean title does not mean it has all the paperwork (do not assume).

The ROW (1980's cars) cars have slightly more compression (.5) and a trans cooler. Other that that, they are the same.

ROW cars tend to resell for less that US spec cars in the US. Also, my insurance co did not like the id number (ZZZ...) on the car, demanded to see the car before they would insure.

Overall, if you plan on keeping the car, ROW cars are a deal.

wckrause · wckrause's Garage

If the car has already been titled in your state, and you don't plan on moving out of state then you shouldn't have any problems with title and registration.

If you live in a county that requires smog testing, then you might have some problems passing visual . ROW's don't have catalytic converters, and depending upon when it was imported, it may not have had one installed. See if the current owner has ever been through smog testing. He should also have some EPA exemption documents that the car got when imported. Talk to somebody in authority at a test station, or with the county. Make sure you can pass smog.

Talk to your insurance agent and give them the VIN of the car. Make sure that they will insure it.

Don't even think about trying to move to CA with it.

All issues with a ROW car are just legal.

One Question:

Which year ROW cars have tranny coolers? Mine ('79) doesn't.

Dug89 · 01-25-2002, 10:27 AM

My 84 does. Hangs off the left side of the tranny. Might be a 3.2 Carrera thing.

Speedster94 · 01-25-2002, 03:21 PM

hallo
The oilcooler is used on the Euro 3.2 Carrera from 84-86 only .
We had catalytic Converters from 1980 but they were an option ,
the Law (in Germany ) required it from 1989 .
Almost nobody took that option here because who would pay to loose 14/24 HP and ruining the Character of the Car ,drive an old
231 HP Euro Carrera and you,ll understand .
harald