1981 928

[1yearonLy]

Hey guys, I came across a 1981 928 yesterday pretty close to where I live. I prefer the earlier ones (no spoilers, phone dial wheels) but so few seem to turn up in decent shape.

This one, with it's original Blue California plates looks to be fairly original and decent. The leather is dried up a bit and I see evidence of paint work on the front but otherwise it's all there and has a good vibe to it. It's an Auto transmission which I'm fine with as long as it isn't a mechanical time bomb.

Anything inherent with these earlier cars I should be wary of? Anyone here know the history of this particular car by chance:

WP0JA092XBS821054

I plan to give it more of a thorough going-over in person later today or tomorrow but thought I'd start here for some pointers beforehand. I'd appreciate any advice.

My dad bought one of the first US 928S cars brand-new in '83 so I'm pretty familiar with basics.

Thanks,

Scott

[JhwShark]

Looks worth diving deep into its shape...good color as well. Interior sounds like mine just needs some redo...what's the mileage, how many owners, recent work data???

Get some details on compression and even the smog test results at hi and low rpm's. Also, look into the dash gauge performance and measure voltage at jump post, running and at rest.

Check out: Engine vacuum hoses and brake lines for age/degradation, shifting smothness manually through the AT range as well as how the kick-down works (WOT switch at the full throttle position: floored), Also, check AC more from the vacuum in the circuit than its temperature change.

If you know hot to do a real PPI do it or find the checklist as an aid...I can't find the link at the moment...
I'm sure others will give their thoughts...
Jon
Also, look at the rubber state: motor mounts, bushings, seals...

[bwmac]

Loosen the drive shaft pinch bolt 2 or 3 times a year to let the driveshaft unload pressure on the crank. it will burn out thrust bearings if you don't.

[Landseer]

That is slightly misleading advice for a edit 81.
It should still have circlips installed that prevent movement and by some accounts not enough power / torque to create an issue.
It is appropriate to have crankshaft endplay checked if the circlip is gone.


How much do they want for the car? If its more than a few thousand, then you might really want to get it checked out by a 928 specialist.

[1yearonLy]

Good advice guys, thanks. I've got a request in for the Carfax/Repair History. if that checks out then I'll give it my once over from end to end. Then, if I'm feeling it could be the 'right' car, I'll have a comprehensive PPI done.

I've had some 911s in the past and the PPIs have proven their worth...

Thanks again,

Scott

ps The car is a 1981, 66k original miles. $9900 price (negotiable I'm sure).

[Landseer]

That's excessive unless its been refreshed with new rubber, mounts, brakes, etc.

[1yearonLy]

Agreed, it's the top of the range for this year. It's at a small dealer so there's a better price to be had I'm sure.

I'm not all hot and googly crazy on it so we'll see what happens...

[bwmac]

Originally Posted by Landseer

That is slightly misleading advice for a edit 81.
It should still have circlips installed that prevent movement and by some accounts not enough power / torque to create an issue.
It is appropriate to have crankshaft endplay checked if the circlip is gone.


How much do they want for the car? If its more than a few thousand, then you might really want to get it checked out by a 928 specialist.

Landseer is right.

[MPDano]

...and how much are they asking for it?

[1yearonLy]

$9950 to be precise:

California Cars

[Landseer]

Maleficio scored a very well preserved 82 platinum car for $4500.

Again, it would have to be an extraordinary specimen with no pent-up maintenance needs to justify that price in the "current, 928-knowledgeable market" .

Lots of folks, owners, flippers and regular dealers, try to score a big price win be selling to the not-knowledgeable 928 populace, else in your case, a 928 knowledgeable admirer who simply hasn't necessarily followed the market in the last 3 years.

But, the counter arguement also holds. If you see what you want and like, and an extra $3000 to $4000 isn't a big deal right now, buy what you like and forget about the pricing.

In any case, an independent 928 PPI is a good idea on this one. Do have them check for endplay / circlips.

[1yearonLy]

Originally Posted by Landseer

...else in your case, a 928 knowledgeable admirer who simply hasn't necessarily followed the market in the last 3 years.

Thanks for letting me off easy, that more or less describes it. Getting up to speed on local prices seems to back it up, the price on this old girl is way up there.

Still no response back from the seller. I've been by there (doors locked), called and left a message. Even e-mailed. Nada.

Who knows...

[Danglerb]

$10k is a crazy car lot price, $3500 from a private party is more like what this one should sell for. Still has the plates so my bet is that its consigned, not dealer owned. There has been one like it down in SD for sale for about a year at about the same price, waiting for someone to come along with ok credit and no real knowledge of current prices.

Calif smog history is free to check online, shows tests back to 1996, with a string of initial failures for this car, and a double test back in 2006 (could be sold or transfer). Carfax shows 16 records, autocheck is showing 12 records, my guess is that they will only be the smog tests and registration.

Lot of bolster wear on both seats for a true 66k mile car, without a detailed full service history to back up the mileage claim I would suspect the odometer gear failed as most do at some point and the car is actually true mileage unknown.

Dash has pulled away from the vents, only fix is to redo the dash. Likewise the seat bottoms have shrunk to the limit before seams will start to fail and they need to be redone.

Are you sure you want an early automatic? Its a Porsche and 928, but its the absolute dog slowest one, and incredibly boring to drive.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by 1yearonLy

Thanks for letting me off easy, that more or less describes it. Getting up to speed on local prices seems to back it up, the price on this old girl is way up there.

Still no response back from the seller. I've been by there (doors locked), called and left a message. Even e-mailed. Nada.

Who knows...

These are signs given to you for free. Run Forest Run.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Are you sure you want an early automatic? Its a Porsche and 928, but its the absolute dog slowest one, and incredibly boring to drive.

Thanks Mike. Now for sure I'm going to get that 150hp NOS kit that Brett has, then drive to Orange County and do Donuts in front of your Condo

[1yearonLy]

Hope is fading...

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by 1yearonLy

Hope is fading...

Hey, no worries, there are plenty of other $3k 928's you can spend $10k on, most just not right away. I've got one in my driveway, $3k to buy, and bleep bleep $$$ later only a few things to fix before driving some more.

[Landseer]

Same here! A constant struggle.

[Mrmerlin]

so if you can figure out what you have top spend ,
and what your mechanical capabilities are.
then it will be easier to make a target for what you should buy.

[1yearonLy]

The dealer e-mailed me Friday, he's out of town until tomorrow. Says it's a 2 owner car with service records. More when he returns.

I went by and took another look and it's a nice original, mostly untouched ca. It's been in a garage most of it's life for certain. Exhaust looks new (stainless), no rash on the rims, interior all in pretty nice shape.

The price still seems ridiculous but, that aside (for now), the car deserves a serious look.