How many 82- build 944s are there?

[9FF]

Here's what could have happened. US servicemen based in Europe could buy new European cars with US safety & emissions specs to drive while based in Europe. After their tour of duty they could export the cars back to the US. There was (and still is) as system for doing this and many overseas servicemen took/take advantage of it.

The car could have been bought in 1983 by a serviceman stationed in the UK as a RHD but spec'd with US bumpers and emissions so that it could be eventually exported to the USA by the buyer.

There were thousands of US army and air force based in the UK during the 80's, many at Greenham Common. I'm sure most of them bought cars while they were there and some bought their cars back to the US under the AAFES Exchange Program.

[Kiwi944]

Originally Posted by 9FF

Here's what could have happened. US servicemen based in Europe could buy new European cars with US safety & emissions specs to drive while based in Europe. After their tour of duty they could export the cars back to the US. There was (and still is) as system for doing this and many overseas servicemen took/take advantage of it.

The car could have been bought in 1983 by a serviceman stationed in the UK as a RHD but spec'd with US bumpers and emissions so that it could be eventually exported to the USA by the buyer.

There were thousands of US army and air force based in the UK during the 80's, many at Greenham Common. I'm sure most of them bought cars while they were there and some bought their cars back to the US under the AAFES Exchange Program.

That is possible, assuming there was a change of mind somewhere along the way and it never left England...

[Kiwi944]

Originally Posted by FrenchToast

Are there really absolutely no signs of an RHD conversion? As noted, that is a North American sticker and VIN. Check if your chassis number matches that VIN. Chassis number is going to start "WP0ZZZ" but otherwise should be the same. Also check the build sticker and windshield VIN. An North America VIN with no signs of ever being LHD is something fishy indeed. Unless it actually is a postal service car!

The factory built a number of prototypes that had U.S. bumpers and reflectors, so a European car sneaking out with U.S. bumpers probably isn't unheard of. But still unlikely. Could have been built with US bumpers for media or prototype purposes.



This is misleading because there are plenty of North American MY83 cars built in 1982. Model Year and Calendar Year, as you know, but for the purposes of this thread, are not the same.

To clarify; there were no MY82 cars for the U.S., but there are plenty of U.S. cars built in '82.

There are a lot of 944s built in 1982, especially in Europe. They are maybe rarer in the U.S., but that doesn't make them rare.

IIRC the earliest U.S. car was built either 12/81 or 1/82. But, in the case of the U.S., it is still a model year 1983. There's a thread on RL.

There is absolutely no sign of a conversion from LHD at all. I have had the entire interior out, including the dash. and it has never been LHD, and the wipers sweep the screen for a RHD car and there is no evidence of anything having been changed there either!

It is all a bit strange...

[J1NX3D]

Thats pretty interesting. Although im finding Porsche do some really weird things. Id known that some upgrades are usually introduced on older models so for instance you can find the last 911SCs with 3.2 carrera specific engine parts, and the last run of carrera 3.2s with G50 gearboxes that 964s use. Im trying to troubleshooting my cooling fans not working. I have a last dash, late fusebox car but an early radiator fan setup. So im using both early and late troubleshooting guides to do it.

Hey im in Petone this weekend too if you're near by.

[J1NX3D]

Oops, just remembered you're in Christchurch. Not the '83 in Wellington.