Possible "Sharker", but of course I need your help.

[samsonevickis]

Well I have found a neglected 928 in a driveway near my home in Madison, AL.

The silver ROW 928 is in a very sad state. I have not informed the owner of my intent to buy just yet, I need to gather some info before I go and make an offer.

The reason I need you help is that there is no VIN. I am not sure what year the ROW cars got VIN plates, but it also doesn't have anything on the driver door jamb other than paint code.

It has the flat slotted disc wheels, not the rotary dial rims that I was told were common on early 78-80 cars. It has the steering wheel with "928" on the horn, not the tri spoke design.

My guess is that it is an MY1980.
It has H4 Bosch Head lamps and the rear bumper has a rear fog light on the driver side. Plus a 5speed!

Some of you might be thinking, "just open the hood and look in there"
Well while I was lucky enough to find it at all and even luckier to find it unlocked, sadly the mechanism to open the hood is broken.

As for my background, I am a very skilled mechanic, I work in a shop that only does classic European cars. My friend is the "Car Whisperer" he also owns the shop. My other good friend is a master upholsterer, with 40yrs experience and I have a good acquaintance who owns his own paint and body shop.
I have deep pockets and a lot of love for this car, so shy of a cracked head I'm all for it.

Any help on identifying the car is very, very appreciated.

The house and neighboring houses are empty during the day so I can go back and check out anything further if I need to.

I am going to offer $100-$300, it has almost no paint left, little to no rust, wheels are ok, tires are rotted and flat, interior is partially removed and piled in the trunk. None of this scares me because I just finished restoring a 1986 BMW 735i.

Sorry for the long post

[JK McDonald]

Any model 928 can be a great car to own and a joy to drive but it looks like you have found yourself more of a parts-mobile. You should seriously find one in much better condition as a starting point for your restoration project. There is usually a good reason why a 928 is not roadworthy and deteriorated per your description. Many project owners know from experience that if not careful you can have over a year’s worth of labor and $10,000 worth of parts into a fine $7,000 car.

One other comment: You might keep a close eye on the available 928's on ebay for a better feel of the market. A friend of mine stole a 2nd owner 1986 5-speed a few months ago for just over $8,200. Although it had 102k miles, all the records were current, the paint was perfect, new tires, everything worked A/C etc...it ran great and the only interior problems were a slight rash on the drivers side bolster, the dash leather and rear quarter panels showed very minor shrinkage.

Michael

[Danglerb]

All legally imported vehicles got vin plates on the A pillar and door jam, the vin should also be stamped into the top of the passenger side fender just under the edge of the hood.

These car experts are your friends? And they haven't talked you out of this yet?

Why do you say its a Euro? Marker lights behind the front wheels?

If it has a motor and trans the owner would have to be pretty slow not to want more like a grand if its the right kind of Euro and not fubar.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by samsonevickis

...and the rear bumper has a rear fog light on the driver side.

I would say by this statement that it's a Euro.

Look at the Registration when you can and see it's last Registration was. You'll also find the VIN there.

Are you just looking at it without the owners consent? Just asking.

[Mrmerlin]

if its a Euro version look under the hood just in back of the hood latch if it has an aluminum plate riveted to the panel its a Euro version, then look for the engine code just under the top rad hose where it connects to the water bridge should be a M28/??

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Mrmerlin

if its a Euro version look under the hood just in back of the hood latch if it has an aluminum plate riveted to the panel its a Euro version, then look for the engine code just under the top rad hose where it connects to the water bridge should be a M28/??

That's part of his issue. He cant get under the hood. Although, I wouldn't even think of an offer unless I could see under the hood. Is the handle what is broken? If so, bring some Vice Grips and pull on the cable from inside.

Mine is an '81 Euro and has all that you've described so far.

Also, watch that shotgun up your arse if your doing this without permission. I know if I saw someone poking around my 928 without permission, they would get at least a 2x4 across the Torso Region. Plus if I still carried a firearm, then that would be another story.

[Mrmerlin]

if the hood latch is broken then reach up under the grill and push the latching arm this will pop the hood

[JK McDonald]

Hey Samsonevickis, How did your investigation of the driveway 928 turn out ? Were you able to get the hood up for a look at the serial number ? Was it a federalized European Model ? The 5-speed is a plus. There are always lots of Pelican folks willing to assist and provide advice with the purchase of a potential 928 project. Perhaps someone knows of another 928 within a reasonable distance from you if you pass on this one.

Michael

[lfausty]

some of us might be thinking

take a camera with u and get a pic just make sure u lean out far enough from hiding behind the tree so we dont just see bark shots, best way to go some good pics than to be there without permission. Ur not a thief

but your doing many things trespassing,breaking and entering someones property, if that car is unsteady and moves on you have no way of stopping it it could go into the street and hurt someone something or eventually crash. if you ever got hurt on their property ur a liabilty nothing may not happened to you but think bigger than you the consequences. some of us just might be thinking were driving down the street and a car comes bombing down into us, or riding bike ,walking a dog, swerving into car pile up. BE CAREFUL YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR LIFE COULD CHANGE FOREVER IN A SEEMINGLY HARMLESS ACT.

really taking a picture unauthorized use of it not good but everyone and u d be safer

if the guy neglected the car would be a safe bet he dont want to handle no fiasco that could or couldnt happen