80 928 euro question

[john 928]

I just picked up a 1980 928 which I believe is a euro but there are some things that don't add up.i have the red light in the back and the h4 headlamps and a 10 digit vin which says its a 80 car but the speedo is in mph
It's a 5sp black on black and the tag says m28 / 13
What ha says its a us car , is this car worth restoring before I jump in
Thanks

[stepson]

M28/13 is a US spec engine (220 hp) and should be attached to a 5 speed. H4's could have been added back at any point after federalization.

[stepson]

M28/13 engine should be L-jet also. Is it?

[john 928]

What about the red light in the back which usually means its a euro model.
Was this car shipped to the U.S. and then converted.
Is there anything special about this one than any other

[SwedeInSiam]

The VIN will tell you what you got.
In '80 your VIN will start like this 92A08
The next number after the 8 will tell you which version, 0 for RoW 4.5L, 1 for US 4.5L, 2 for RoW 4.7L "S".
The last 4 is you vehicle number

92A080xxxx = RoW 4.5L
92A081xxxx = US 4.5L
92A082xxxx = RoW 4.7L "S"

[Pete R]

Originally Posted by john 928

What ha says its a us car , is this car worth restoring before I jump in
Thanks

Basically no 928 is worth restoring financially. You always spend way more than it's worth.. but if you like the car it may be worth it to you

[john 928]

So does this mean the car came overseas and converted to a U.S. spec car

[stepson]

Originally Posted by john 928

So does this mean the car came overseas and converted to a U.S. spec car

What is the VIN#?

As Anders posted, the VIN will tell you what you got.

[john 928]

92A0810828
It says it's a us 1980 5speed 220/265 hp
But why does it have euro features like the rear red light and the smaller h4 headlights
M28 / 13
Prod date 12/79

[Mrmerlin]

every rear PU cover has the indentations for the rear fog lamp it just has to be cut out.
NOTE there is also a wire harness thats included with every 928 for the rear lamps.

[john 928]

I like the 5 speed I stay away from the auto

[stepson]

Originally Posted by john 928

the smaller h4 headlights

What do you mean smaller H4 headlights? Normally when 928 owners speak of H4 headlights, they are talking about the 8" variety. Are your headlights the 7" type? If so, those are definitely aftermarket.

In reference to MrMerlin's post: you might want to think carefully about his offer. Newer car a lot more HP with maintenance done. Have you driven an AT 928? It might surprise you.....a lot.

Do not discount MrMerlin's post.

[john 928]

The headlights are the 8inch with no trim ring which are euro spec.
I have driven 300 hp euro atms and prefer the 5speed.
This is my 4th 928 but my first one with a 10 digit Vin with euro features and thought it was a euro.
It was stored properly with no fuel but needs a ton work. The person lived in a not so good neighborhood and has like 6 kill switches all over the car. I'm in the process of removing a ton wires and a audio system nightmare. I must of took 5 pounds of wires out of the car definitely not a professional install.
It's in decent shape with only 75k

[aluminum]

The Vin tells the story , your working on the Car already and you bought it so Enjoy it .
The Maintenance is not really Hard at all once you learn the Car .
Electrical is more the other Cars on Upkeep . Clean the Fuse / Circuit Board at all Fuse hook up points ( fuses removed ) Dump all the Fuses that are not Brass or Copper on the Ends
( Aluminum Type Fuses create Galvanic Corrosion and Fail often making one wonder what went wrong . ) Do Not Remove any Relays until you make a removal Tool to pry behind them or they well most likely brake off and you well need a new one $$$$ .
Beyond Electrical make sure you don't let the Motor overheat for any reason . If You lose water STOP >> then Tow it .
The 5 Speed is fun but no doubt the Automatic is faster so your choice .

You already have the Car so Euro or not enjoy it . I certainly do not find them a money Pit .
simple top work on with all the Help here . The Front end refresh ( timing belt water pump)
is tricky but straight forward

[john 928]

Car looks like it's been sitting for a couple of years and the previous owner wasn't to mechanically incline. After removing all the aftermarket stuff I'm going to refresh the fuse panel because I get nothing to the starter , I put a new battery and got the lights working but no crank. Once I get the car running I'm doing the tbelt water pump and all fluids . I'll get there
Thanks guys

[MPDano]

My 81 Euro is mechanical injection 4.5 Auto. Pics are worth a thousand words or more.

[john 928]

[john 928]

Here are some pics of the car I took the interior out to remove all the wires without a hassle.
Interior is rough. I live in longisland ny if there's anyone out here that has parts pm me. This is my 4th car that I've brought back from the dead.
I have broke down the vin and it is a 80 4.5 220 hp 5sp us spec car but can anyone tell me if this car was made here or was it shipped in and then federalized to conform to usa spec. Or did someone just throw some headlights and rear fog lamp to make it look like a euro car.
I did see on the speedo that it goes to 170 mph and other go to 160
Thanks

[Danglerb]

Its a normal USA model with a bunch of things changed on the rear, maybe tasteless updates, maybe collision repair with whatever parts were handy.

Rear spoiler and plastic bumper are not original, same for headlights and wheels.

[john 928]

The car doesn't look like it was in any accidents.
Why does this car have a 10 digit vin and not the reg vin.
I thought I had a euro at first.
It's a electrical disaster from boom box amplifier extra speakers in the door.
The guy took out the vacuum motors for the door locks cut wires aftermarket radio more cut wires
But I guess that's what you get for 800.00 car