Was the "Turbo Look" option available in 1978?

[OldSkoolFool]

Hey Pelican Parts members. I am trying to determine which years the Turbo Look/widebody option was available from the factory. I am looking into a 1978 non-turbo example and do not remember if the widebody was an actual factory option for that year. Thanks!

[TheRedSlantnose]

1984 was the first year for the Turbo-look/M491 option.

[OldSkoolFool]

Thanks!

[javadog]

Prior to 1984, you'd have to buy a 911 then have the factory convert it to a wide-body style in the factory service shop. Eventually, a "Special Wishes" department was tasked to do this sort of work.

A zillion other shops did conversions as well, so odds are more likely it's an aftermarket job. Without any documentation to the contrary, assume Porsche didn't do the work.

JR

[OldSkoolFool]

Thanks JR.

I guess now I am trying to determine what it does value wise to the car. I love the way it looks and it was nicely done and is steel but guess I am not sure if it raises or lowers the value of the car now that the widebody is not original to the car, unless the rare instance the "Special Wishes" department or factory converted it which I guess cannot be proven without documentation. I would guess a Certificate of Authenticity would not show this but I could be wrong.

[tdw28210]

Coa won't show it. The likelihood of a turbo look car being a special wishes build in 78 is extremely low. Hell.. It would have likely cost as much as an actual turbo.

As for value, if the rest of the car was tastefully modded with other actual Porsche parts and not stupid Pep Boys blingey garbage, it may not hurt in today's market. Pics would help.

[javadog]

Much depends on how well it was done. Then you have the usual caveats about condition, mileage, etc. Most '78 911s will never be worth a fortune, so it probably doesn't matter much. Generally, the most valuable examples of a 911 tend to be the least modified, so you can say it might hurt the value in that case. The reality is that, if this car isn't exceptional (history, low milage, condition), then the value question really doesn't come into play.

So, if it is done well, it might appeal to a certain sort of buyer and a little value might be added, compared to stock 911s that have no special distinguishing characteristics.

Start with figuring out how well it was done. Were the flares butt welded, or lap welded? Are they in the correct place? Is there a lot of filler? Was the repaint done well? Any shortcomings in the additional parts like the rocker panels, quarter panel extensions, etc? How did they deal with increasing the track width? Anything else upgraded? Is the car sound?

That last question might seem odd but it was not uncommon, when people had a wrecked car, or a rusty turd, that it got "updated" in some way.

I doubt you'll find anything on a COA. Writing a letter to Porsche AG might be more productive, if a detailed study of the car seems to warrant it.

JR

[OldSkoolFool]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. The car has the boxed rockers, wider front and rear fenders, and the front slant nose style air dam/lower front bumper. It has 66k original miles and the rest of the car is in original spec (minus Carrera tensioners, different rims, radio).

I am more of an original condition kind of guy so I am leaning towards it might not be worth to me what they are asking. It just kind of scares me away a little when major stuff, like the body, is significantly modified.

[Bleedsblue]

Well-done steel flares by anybody on something like a plain jane SC/3.2 certainly wouldn't turn me off, but if it is originality you're seeking, I would certainly pass.

[boyt911sc]

A friend from NYC has a Euro/RoW '79 factory wide body. Bought new in Europe and took it home to NY.

Tony

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

A zillion other shops did conversions as well....................

Just for old times sake......

I remember talk of Stoddard Porsche in Willoughby, Ohio being a body shop that was considered factory work. Of course, Porsche owned the dealership.

Suspect you may know of more, JR. Not many, correct?

This is hearsay because I do not know for sure but I heard this from a guy in Alaska I worked with that had a 356 back in the late 80's. He knew Chuck Stoddard.

I remember reading an internet blog about "The man from Alaska" and his 356 motor after I moved out of Alaska to Houston in 1992. Around 1997-1998 the guy I knew from Alaska flew down to Houston. We both worked for BP. We had lunch and he drove my SC.

I asked him, "Are you THE man from Alaska? He said "Yep"

Small world..........

Maestro's Library | The Maestro's Porsche 356 & Porsche 912 Problem-Solving Site

[javadog]

Chuck Stoddard was an influential guy in the US Porsche community for a long time, and he had many factory acquaintances, but I would never have thought of his shop as part of the factory. I'd say there were probably 10 places that did a lot of widebody conversions, slantnose conversions and that sort of thing. Most are long gone.

There's a local guy that has a wide body SC that he claims is a factory car. Personally, I'll believe it when I see the paper, as that has to be one of the most common claims that is almost universally false. Not calling him a liar, but most people don't know much history about the cars they own and there are plenty of previous owners that made up all sorts of bull**** and passed it on the the next guy. Two or three owners later, it's gospel...

JR

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

all sorts of bull**** and passed it on the the next guy. Two or three owners later, it's gospel...

JR

Ha. That's why I qualified the info. Was not sure.

The Porsche part of Stoddard has been absorbed by Penske along with a couple of other near-Cleveland dealers. The Stoddards Porsche parts place has spun off into it's own entity and is just north of Penske Porsche (well south of downtown on the east side).

Thanks

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by OldSkoolFool

Thanks for the thoughts guys. The car has the boxed rockers, wider front and rear fenders, and the front slant nose style air dam/lower front bumper. It has 66k original miles and the rest of the car is in original spec (minus Carrera tensioners, different rims, radio).

I am more of an original condition kind of guy so I am leaning towards it might not be worth to me what they are asking. It just kind of scares me away a little when major stuff, like the body, is significantly modified.

OK.. I am changing my position a bit here. A 78 with slant nose and boxed rockers (aka flachbau) is absolutely not a factory special wishes car. The first Street slant noses did not appear until 1981 from the special wishes program. . Also given that is a slant nose, I think the value takes a hit too. Those conversions have very limited appeal. Sorry.