Options vs Aftermarket Modifications

[jaustinmd]

I recently bought an '82 911SC. This car had extensive mechanical work in the last couple of years (rebuilt engine, transmission, clutch, suspension, etc.) and has been repainted in the recent past, so it looks and drives like new and is rust free!
The interior has RS door cards with the lanyard door pulls and the back is fully carpeted without seat cushions or belts. I suspect all of this was done or replaced in recent years as it is all in excellent, like-new condition. The seats are highly bolstered and obviously aftermarket.
I know with some cars you can get a history of what the original build and option list was. Is this available for an '82? Or, can someone tell me whether the RS door cards, deletion of back seats, etc. was even available in '82?
Seems to me that the car is certainly not rare or extremely valuable (maybe not dollar wise, but defintely valuable fun-wise!), so I'm NOT trying to go back to an "authentic restoration," but just have a curiosity as to what IS original on the car vs aftermarket modifications. Any input or pointing me to a good reference to educate myself is appreciated!
Thanks,
John

[Jack Stands]

You could purchase a certificate of authenticity from Porsche. There seems to be some controversy about how accurate they are, but it would be your best option unless you can trace previous owners and talk to them.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by jaustinmd

Or, can someone tell me whether the RS door cards, deletion of back seats, etc. was even available in '82?

None of that was available from Porsche in 1982. Or '83. Or '84. Or...

JR

[tirwin]

As JR (javadog) said, those were not original, but they are popular. Besides looks, a good reason to do them is to save weight.

[scottrx7tt]

That is my old car I sold a few years ago! I installed the complete RS carpet kit, along with the door panels, 964 gauges, 964 dashboard, etc. I also did the paintwork, front pan replacement, etc. I have some pics if you want to see what it looked like originally

[mreid]

It is not really hard to tell when things are not original.

Here is the interior that was in the 1974 I bought a couple years ago:







Does it look original? No someone installed the interior from a 1987 turbo in the car, so I fixed it:







Is it now original? No, only the correct dash and gauges. Nothing else is original for that year. What about these wheel?

When purchased:



Today:



Engine?

When purchased:



Today:



Only the 2.7 engine was original. My point is that few of these 30 to 40 year old cars are original. Unless you research thoroughly and pay for an unmolested version, enjoy what you have!