My 1985 944 Project Car

LaneS · 05:52 AM

I picked up this 1985 944 about a year ago after being 944-less for the past 12 years, if you don't count the 944 that we raced in 24 Hours of Lemons 5-6 years ago.

This is my 3rd or 4th 944 and my family has had about 12 of them. I decided I needed another old car to toy around with since I sold my 928 and our 996 doesn't fill the void. I was looking for an early car because I am weird and I like the old dash. This car fit the bill and is in fairly decent shape, so I pounced on it.

In the past couple months, I have done the following:

-installed a only944.com firewall brace
-new master and slave cylinders
-lowered the rear end via the eccentric bolt
-installed 7mm spacers on the rear wheels
-new hood struts from *********************.com
-put on my 2.5 sticker from drivingwhileawesome.com

2.5 sticker!

hood stays up now

sitting nice and level

firewall brace is somewhere back there

7mm spacers bring the wheels out a little bit

LaneS · 06-28-2015, 06:46 AM

In the past year I have...

-installed a new shift knob
-replaced the center section of the rear spoiler
-installed new tires (Hankook RS3)
-made new door panels with RS straps and houndstooth fabric
-Coco Mats
-Installed some Vitaloni Sebring mirrors
-new motor mounts
-FR Wilks race chip
-Installed sport seats and recovered them in new leather with houndstooth inserts
-Installed a Momo Prototipo steering wheel with a two inch hub extender

DarrenD · 06-28-2015, 09:58 AM

Very nice. Car looks great. I especially love the interior.

campbelljj · campbelljj's Garage

I like it. Very good looks

Backyardbodyman · Backyardbodyman's Garage

Very nice looking machine. Love the hounds tooth seats and door panels. Steering wheel and interior looks great. Nice job. Red exterior with black Fuchs looks awesome. Cheers

fiily · 06-28-2015, 12:34 PM

I tried lowering the rear end of my car via the eccentric bolt. Even with my air gun, I still canot break the bolt loose, threw on the breaker bar, 3ft. pipe, and stepped on it, still not budging.

Car looks great, now if I could only get mine lowered in the back like that, I would be a happy camper.

Dr DIY · Dr DIY's Garage

Love the way you did the door panels. Need to deal with my own door panels in the future so seeing something like this is an inspiration. Subscribed.

GRM1964 · GRM1964's Garage

another +1 for the door panels and pull straps

speedfrk · speedfrk's Garage

Loving the mirrors, can I ask where I might be able to obtain a set of those? And is there any way to wire them to the factory mirror controls?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

fiily · 06-29-2015, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedfrk

Loving the mirrors, can I ask where I might be able to obtain a set of those? And is there any way to wire them to the factory mirror controls?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

+1

Mirrors look great, source and install instructions?

CHICKS · 06-29-2015, 09:06 AM

Man that's a good looking car, thanks for the sticker link, I really dig it.

LaneS · 06-29-2015, 09:47 AM

[QUOTE=speedfrk;8687754]Loving the mirrors, can I ask where I might be able to obtain a set of those? And is there any way to wire them to the factory mirror controls?

Thanks @speedfrk, I purchased these mirrors at www.pegasusautoracing.com (use the convex mirrors). There isn't a way to wire them. I just tied up my wiring and and use the new mirrors manually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiily

+1

Mirrors look great, source and install instructions?

Thanks! The instructions are here: Flag mirrors gone - welcome Vitaloni Sebring Mach 1 Mirror

LaneS · 06-29-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHICKS

Man that's a good looking car, thanks for the sticker link, I really dig it.

Thanks @CHICKS!

I made these stickers.

CHICKS · 06-29-2015, 09:52 AM

Lane, that was me asking for cheaper shipping, lol.

LaneS · 06-29-2015, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHICKS

Lane, that was me asking for cheaper shipping, lol.

I thought so. I'll throw in an extra in case you mess up on sticking it the first time

CHICKS · 06-29-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaneS

I thought so. I'll throw in an extra in case you mess up on sticking it the first time

Awesome

Bradical · 06-29-2015, 06:37 PM

I prefer early dash too. Gorgeous car all around- you have great taste, building a car that is a small departure from what you usually see in all the right ways.

M. Murphy · M. Murphy's Garage

Great looking car, very nicely done.
Have you considered the short shifter kit from only944? I did my 83 NA two years ago with the shifter, short shifter and linkage. It works great, noticeably shorter shift throws and light effort. Very precise.

CHICKS · 06-30-2015, 04:51 AM

Know what would make you car perfect Lane? If you point the crest toward the valve stems like God, and Porsche intended. ahaha

LaneS · 06-30-2015, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradical

I prefer early dash too. Gorgeous car all around- you have great taste, building a car that is a small departure from what you usually see in all the right ways.

Thanks! I'm happy with how it's turning out, so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by M. Murphy

Great looking car, very nicely done.
Have you considered the short shifter kit from only944? I did my 83 NA two years ago with the shifter, short shifter and linkage. It works great, noticeably shorter shift throws and light effort. Very precise.

I have considered it, but the longish throws don't really bother me. I did tighten up the rod to shifter by using a bolt and thrust washers rather than the pin and c-clip that always wear out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHICKS

Know what would make you car perfect Lane? If you point the crest toward the valve stems like God, and Porsche intended. ahaha

Ha! I haven't even touched the center caps since I bought the car...I need to paint them black...they look like they were painted by my 1 year old.