Sunroof delete, why?

[jeff968]

So, back in the day, when they were new, just a handful of 944/968s made it to the US with the sunroof delete. I wondered, what is the reason a new owner would want this?

Money? Did you get the car cheaper without the sunroof?
Weight? If you are going to race, did not having the sunroof and the related equipment cut down that much on the weight?
Structural Rigidity? Again, to race, did not having the sunroof make the body firmer?
Looks? They liked the clean roofline?

Thoughts?
Or something I didn't think of?

Thanks

[Volhv]

I was under the impression that sunroof cars were more rigid.

But if you really want a head scratcher..... there are guys out there that have done sunroof deletes!

[Dantilla]

More headroom with a helmet on.
Less weight at the very top of the car.

Sunroofs were an option in 1983. From 1984-on, all 944s imported to the US came with a sunroof unless it was specially ordered without.

[Dantilla]

For racing, not uncommon to cut the roof panel off, and after the cage is welded, replacing it with a 924 non-sunroof panel.

[BReif61]

I always understood it as a weight reduction modification with the benefit of removing weight at the very top of the car.

Does it really gain much headroom though? I can see how internally stored sunroofs like the 911s have take up a lot of room, but the 944's doesn't take up much space.

[PorscheChef]

I have one set up for the track... They are lighter and they do have more headroom.

[J1NX3D]

my last 3 cars have been sunroof deletes (924T, 944, 968). I find them aesthetically pleasing. The headliner is high, clean and uncluttered by all the interior panels, etc that sunroof cars have. One less motor or thing to fix. I like the paint on the roof looking clean without being broken up by the sunroof panel and seals.

I did have a bad sunroof experience with a 924. it had blocked drains, rusted out and had a dodgy repair and paint over the top. We have very wet winters and spring. i always had bad leaks and wet carpet.

[ckelly78z]

My 83 944 would fill up the rear wheel wells if it rained at work. I finally blew out the drians with compresed air and got them to drain. My current 85.5 944 has no problems, but I don't remove the sunroof completely like I did on my 83. I can understand wanting to eliminate weight from the highest point of the car by deleting the sunroof, but I don't race my car, so i'll keep it.

[chudson]

When I think about the design and function of a 944 / 968 roof I ask - why is it even there?? Your options are to never touch the button, tilt it up, or go through the mechanical process of removing and storing it. The latter of which is way more aggravation than a car where you simply push the button and the slider disappears into the roof - which you can do while driving.

Or you can spring for a Saratoga, but there is no shade to close if you desire to cut off the sun's intrusion. I wish both of mine were roof delete...

[jeff968]

Thanks for all the feedback but I guess after reading them all the answer to my question of "Why?" is inconclusive. There are numerous minor reasons but nothing that is significant enough. I hadn't thought of the "headroom in the interior" benefit so that is a good one for that VERY tall driver.

[J1NX3D]

I think these days, it's just different so there's a bit of bragging rights there. It's not something you can just modify your car to like sway bars, seats, LSD, etc. It's something that if you really want one you have to wait for it to turn up and hope its got ext/int colour combo/options that you like. When new, who knows?

[88Silver924S]

I rifled through my files and found the "Domestic Delivery 1988 Vehicle Prices for vehicles produced after February 1, 1988" price guide issued by Porsche Cars North America the Option code 650 for the "Removable Sunroof w/Elect. Tilt" Suggested Retail is $1,004.

However on my window sticker the price was $965. I recall the salesman mentioning that my "1988" was produced in November 1987 so fell under the old price structure. For you history buffs if I recall correctly that was a time when the dollar was sinking vs the German Mark hence the price increases and why there are lots of 1987's but fewer 1988's. Happy motoring.

[Tervuren]

I'm tall the non sun roof car has a lot more head room when you compare to the sunroof car.

Of course, I can always remove/raise the sunroof, however, add in a helmet/cage, and you will have a much much much tighter fit with the extra thickness of the sunroof.

[racer]

1) Cost
2) Personal preference
3) headroom

Also recall that most Porsches on the lot were Dealer spec'd so the would sell. Most folks spending the time/money to buy a Porsche wanted a few options on them to justify their price. Sunroom, Alarm, rear wiper, Maybe 16" wheels etc were some of the common "options" they were ordered with.

[333pg333]

If you're particularly tall then headroom is a factor. If you race and use a helmet, headroom is also a factor. If I had a street car I would be happy to have the sunroof but on the track, definitely without. We did the 'weld on a non sunroof' option too.

[jeff968]

Originally Posted by 333pg333

If I had a street car I would be happy to have the sunroof but on the track, definitely without.

Because of the headroom?

As for cost, if it is included in the vehicle's standard equipment then sometimes it is a delete with no money back so there would be no cost savings there. That is the way it is with the 968.

[ilikemy944]

I though I would miss a sunroof, but I actually like this enough to not want a sunroof 944 after this...

[Tervuren]

So while I do not notice a difference in sunroof cars early/late, there IS a difference in non sun roof cars in the roof lining. ^^

'44's are cheap enough, if you have space, go for both.