924 lights on my 928???

[anakilat]

I have purchased a 1979/1980 928 euro. I am having some trouble identifying exactly what I have. Any assistance would be appreciated.

VIN is 92A0800107 I have researched this and it appears to be the VIN for a 1980 euro model. The sticker inside the door says 1979. The US Title says 1979. Any idea which year I really have?

To complicate matters it has an M28/09 motor which I believe was only installed in 1980 euro models. But then it also has front and rear "S" spoilers which I don't think was an option in 1979.

I have the original owners manual and it has the words betriebsanleitung '80 pflegepass on the cover. Inside it has some handwritten entries the first of which is dated 28/08/79. Incidentally it also has a 1000km service entry dated 16/09/79.

All this leads me to believe I have an early 1980 model that was built in 1979.

The last thing that bugs me to distraction is the porsche 924 style round reflector lights installed on all four corners of the car, fronts are yellow and rears are red. These are wired lights and appear to be either factory or professionally installed. I've never seen another photo of a 928 with these round lights. To be honest, they don't look right. This car has some sleek lines and these lights really stand out. I wonder if they were a required modification to import it to the US?

[m21sniper]

Any car made after june is the year after indicated on the sticker. For example, a 928 made in 6/79 is actually a my 1980.

As for the rest, pictures would be immensely helpful.

[Danglerb]

Your VIN is for a 1980.

In Europe model year doesn't mean the same as it does in the US, its more about the date you buy the car from the dealer.

No spoiler offered in 1979, those are 83+ and a common retrofit.

[rhjames]

also be aware that the front spoiler should also have the brake cooling ducts along with the front bumper cover openings for cooling ducts----it not, the spoiler was an add-on by someone other than the factory.

M28/09 engine is Euro for 78 thru 82--- 4.5 L @ 229hp w/K-jet CIS injection. it uses different heads and pistons that it's US counterpart. it is NOT Euro "S" 4.7L @ 300hp.

the reflector/marker lights on the sides are add-ons for Federalization. many different brands of lights were used, from BMW to Dodge, depending upon who did the Fed work.

Your car would be similar to my '80 Euro, but mine was built after yours.....

--Russ

[anakilat]

Thanks everyone!
I may be referring to my car as a "Euro" model incorrectly. When I say "Euro" I meant that it was built for the European market with differences like no right side mirror, all warning lights in German and the speedometer and odometer read in Kmh only.
Can you give me some idea of what other modifications may have been made to Federalize my car?

[DPW928]

The 924 side marker lights were probably used because a round hole was easier to drill than the form fitting cutout that is on the US 928's. IIRC the 944 uses side markers similar to the 928 but they are surface mounting, not recessed.

Other items changed during federalization would be the rear side markers, air pump and catalytic convertor install, and disabling of the headlight adjuster. The rear bumper pads may also have been installed.

[rhjames]

Originally Posted by anakilat

Can you give me some idea of what other modifications may have been made to Federalize my car?

the delete of RH mirror was done on the early cars. I believe this was a factory option, not necessarily the rule---others more familiar with this should correct me if wrong.

Federalization includes, but not limited to:

removal of the 8 inch H4 headlights , replaced with 7 inch sealed beam w/chrome trim ring--the 8 inch lights became standard on the S4 and later.

installation of crash (side impact) bar in doors.

Catalytic converters installed (sometimes). use of unleaded fuel.

air pump installed (maybe).

side marker lights installed--definitely on rear quarters, most had fronts as well. (mine had rears installed, but no fronts)

installation of US MPH speedometer (removal of Euro KPH speedo--all other gauges/HVAC control remained metric).

other modifications may be present, but that's pretty much the basics.

Federalization apparently depended upon who did the work.


--Russ

[anakilat]

I've got both sets of headlights, the 7 inch are currently installed

It has the door crash bars (I was wondering what those red square tube bars were in the doors)

Yep, it's got a cat under there

I can't identify anything that might be the air pump. Any idea where it might be located or how I can identify it. If it's belt driven, it's not there.

Side markers of course, I have too many of them...

My guage panel is Euro. No English, No Mph - all KPH. I think it was retrofitted though. My dash and console are brown and the Gage cluster is black. Funny, I didn't notice that until today.

I did get a good look at the front spoiler. It is a nicely done retrofit. I pulled the brake ducting away from one side and could see the saw marks where someone did a cutout for the top half of the ductwork.

You guys have been a great resource! I can't thank you enough. Now I'm certain I have a 1980 model. I've got other questions but they would probably be better posted separately.

I've got to switch gears and start working with my son on changing the timing belt on his 86' 944.

[rhjames]

the air pump would be located on the passenger front of engine, above the A/C compressor. if you only see the compressor from the top, and there is an idler pulley above it, you don't have the air pump---the idler pulley is in its place.

additionally, the air pump plumbing would be on the upper passenger side of the engine, on the cam tower so to speak. this plumbing routes to the back side of each head. No air pump, no plumbing either.

--Russ

[Rixter]

that's a 1980 MY, importation changes varied greatly in the early years before DOT required an official Registered Importer to do the conversion
does it have rear bumperettes?
also, the "S" spoiler package was offered as a dealer add on to the early cars when it became available on the RoW cars, my 77 had them before it hit US shores in late 78/early 79 (though the rear spoiler material is different than any other I've seen and I suspect this car was also used to prototype these)
that's one of the earlier 80 vins I've seen, nice pickup