My first 944 and where not to begin

[warriordad]

Good evening everyone. I've been fortunate enough to buy my first Porsche. A 1984 944. I looked and researched for 3 months trying to find the right deal to fit my budget. She only has 85,138 miles and yes the odometer works and is original. Woohoo! Guards red that doesn't need an immediate repaint. Receipts for the major work done last summer like the timing and balance shaft belts, front and rear brakes, new vinyl replacement dash, new leather seat covers (the 6 hour pull the seats and swear type), and new Khumo ties. Very happy to get it for the money I paid. Waiting and patience truly paid their dividends. As a nube I hope I don't ask a stupid question that's not to irritating. Other than the normal change out of all fluids, since it has been parked since last summer and started only for my test drive and to load it on the trailer. Oh, checked the clutch through the inspection hole and its 75% or better. This is a true thing of beauty that I have worked my butt off to get so she will see a wonderful life. Any suggestions where to begin? Also, why does mine have like square box rockers and a slot like rear valance? Haven't seen one quite like this around here. Seen them with the slot rear valance but the boxy rockers no. Was it a certain package that you could get or are they an after market add on? I'm borderline purist when it comes to cars so she'll go back to her original glory. Thoughts and thanks,
Tom

[honerboys]

i have the rear valance on the 84 - i was told this was a factory option by PO - i think the rockers are an aftermarket add-on - others on here will know better than me - sounds like the car is in good shape - other than the fluids you mentioned i would just drive it and enjoy - things will come up and you can take care of them as they do - good looking car - welcome

[kfanazini]

Nice car, I would be nice to know how much you spent so others car figure out what the market price is.

The parts you are talking about are all after market. Its is missing the 944 on the rear hatch, the rear wiper and the front wheel looks like it my be the wrong offset.

It is a sunroof delete car, check you option sticker in the rear hatch.

[alan6272]

Welcome aboard, I love the early 944, I also have been working on bringing mine back to stock and I am there except for some small things. Agreed on the things mentioned above.

[szyzygy]

Originally Posted by kfanazini

Nice car, I would be nice to know how much you spent so others car figure out what the market price is.

The parts you are talking about are all after market. Its is missing the 944 on the rear hatch, the rear wiper and the front wheel looks like it my be the wrong offset.

It is a sunroof delete car, check you option sticker in the rear hatch.

I noticed the front wheel looks a little too far in as well.

[Guest765]

The rockers and rear were the same on my car. Probably a repaint, or a good matching paint on them since they came grey/black and not red to my knowledge. Removing them is going to leave holes in your rocker panels and rear where they were mounted which will need filled and painted over or they'll probably rust. Personally I think they complete the look of the car and would leave them. I'm sure someone would be interested in buying them and would appreciate them if you do remove, rather than letting them rot in your basement/garage. Not sure if they're even still available.

The rear 944 lighted panel isn't missing as someone said, I think that was an option or aftermarket.

[rhett]

The boxy 'rockers' or sill covers are I believe a factory option. I have had two vehicles with these. They seem to be quite popular over here (UK). Not sure what the option code is for them, but I have looked at my code label and there are two or three codes that don't seem to appear on any of the internet lists. Perhaps one of those applies? They were always called the 'turbo' sills, but they put them on any vehicle. The slotted valance is also factory, it was fitted prior to a design change to the 'turbo' spolier type. In my opinion I would leave them on, they do complete the look and they are original styling options.

Take a look at my present project car in my garage, you should see those 'rockers' I can definitely state that they are stock and had been on for a very long time.

Of course, it is possible that your car had them fitted at a later date, or that they are aftermarket copies of the originals..?

Compliments on finding a really good example!

[ernie9944]

First welcome to Pelican & congrats in buying which seem to be a real nice early 944,I would leave the rockers & rear valance as is if were you.Like mention the front wheels are (wrong offset) & the 944 badge is missing at the rear.You can get one from Pelican (New Part Catalog part # is 944-559193-00-m100.Will love to see more pics if possible of the interior & engine bay.TIA

[Gawernator]

By the way rear wiper delete can be a factory option but I believe the factory plug is black like mine, not polished

[FrenchToast]

Originally Posted by warriordad

.....and where not to begin

A sense of humor is always welcome in this forum

Both the rockers and valence were available as an accessory option. Actual Porsche pieces are very rare, most are reproductions.

So, they could be factory parts. Check for Porsche part numbers on them. (Likely "944.xxx.xxx.....)

Also, it looks like you have the wrong offset wheels. Those look like late-offset Phonedials, your car needs early offset.

The car may have been repainted (no rear badge, no rear Porsche lettering), but not necessarily. They both could have been removed early on (or even upon delivery).

If you ever plan to drive the car hard (autocross, track), look into replacing your spindles. The early cars had a hollow left spindle for the speedo drive gear. You'll lose your speedo when changing to solid ones. Personally I would take strong spindles over a broken speedo any day.

Take care!

[9FF]

Hi and welcome! Looking at my option code list I find "M472 Additional Rear Apron" listed for the 944na so that could be the code for that back piece. M425 was the code for the 924/44 rear wiper so without that code i presume you get the blanking plug. Those sills/rockers I cannot find and I know they are not the turbo ones though maybe that was what those were called before the 951 came out. The 951 has stock sill extensions fitted from the factory which are referenced as turbo sills in Europe. Unless those sills were only offered to 85 and refered to as "turbo" before the 951 came out. I cannot see Porsche offering two versions both referred to as "turbo sills". I'll try and research more.

Nice car though and quite unique with sunroof delete and that skirt/rear apron package.

[porschetub]

Phonedials on an early car?not original ,welcome and good luck with your purchase.

[warriordad]

Thanks for all of the great info. I do have a question. One of several from what I am coming to understand. I am not familiar with what you mean by offset wheels. I am guessing that you are referring to the distance from the outside edge of the tire to the edge of the outer fender. As if the front wheels appear to be sunk in to far? Can this be corrected or do I have to use the other set that came with it. I think you call them Fuch's. Look kinda like the old mag wheels but have black painted centers. I like the phone dials but if it will ultimately hurt the car using them improperly, then I'll use the Fuch's even though I'm not fond of them. Is there a way to keep the phone dials without to much hassle? Thanks again for all the help. I also got a bunch of extra parts that came with it. I'd like to trade some of them for a few Whatnots that I need. Oh, I'll get pics of the inside and engine compartment in the next few days.

[jwade944]

Beautiful car! Offset is the dimension from the centerline of the wheel to inside surface of the mounting flange. On the back of your wheels you will find a stamp with ET and a number. Prior to 1987, 944 used 23 mm offset and later cars used 52 mm offset. The Fuch wheels are very desirable to many as they are the classic Porsche wheel and were lightweight. If you don't want them, there is definitely a market for them. Early offset phone dial wheels can be bought pretty cheaply if you decide to go that route.

[9FF]

The Fuchs are lighter and stronger than the phone dials and they will fit your car perfectly. The phone dials you have need spacers to fit right because they were made for a later car.

Chances are the Fuchs made up 1/4 of the price you paid for the car as thay are a desirable wheel. If you don't like them the money you will get will pay for the correct offset phone dials plus give you money in the bank.

[warriordad]

Thanks guys. To be completely honest, I paid $1500 in cash and traded my old G1 transformer toy collection. My toys had a monetary value of around $1000. In essence I only paid $1500 out of pocket since I kept my old toys.Thanks mom and dad! The extra parts that I got with it were a resurfaced flywheel, radiator, power steering pump, both fog light assemblies, the Fuch wheels, extra funky looking spare tire, throttle peddle assembly, and a Rubbermaid tote full of other parts to figure out where they go and what they are for. I feel pretty fortunate.

[warriordad]

Maybe a dumb question but where can I find the right spacers for the offset? And have I taken a chance at damaging anything driving it the last week with the wrong offset?

[gacook]

If you don't like the Fuchs, sell them. They'll sell quickly. With that, you can buy several sets of the proper offset phone dials (they're relatively cheap).

[kfanazini]

You can find spacers just about anywhere. Search for hub centric spacers. No you have not done any damage to your car.

If you want to sell the Fucha wheels let me know, I am in Erie PA, not too far from you.

Originally Posted by warriordad

Maybe a dumb question but where can I find the right spacers for the offset? And have I taken a chance at damaging anything driving it the last week with the wrong offset?

[jcommin]

In 1984:

The rear wiper is an option. The plug is black
Wheels: Standard equipment 15 alloy wheels (cookie cutter), option forged alloy (Fuchs).
Rear valence - aftermarket
Rockers - neither standard or optional - must be aftermarket.


It is a nice looking car - all the best!