[Sunroof]

Simply, Grey Market cars are those that were not imported to the US dealer market and did not meet the USDOT safety standards (5 mph bumper, door protection, emission standards, etc). Back in the late 1970's and early 1980's when the the US dollar was low against the German Mark, airline pilots flying over to Germany were buying these cars straight out of used car lots and sending them home. I know because I bought a 1979 911SC from a guy in Atlanta who bought one back. The shipping was the greatest cost but it could not be let loose in the US without being changed to what they called, "DOT'd". Many shops were making the necessary changes to meet US Standards. Hundreds if not thousands came over.

You can identify a "grey market" car easily by the smaller black rubber bumpers on the rear of the SC's and some Carrera's. Several came with side marker lights (turbo bodied) on the front upper fenders. The "grey market" cars had a bit more horsepower due to the limited changes to the emissions. BUT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I found back then that Porsche dealers would not work on them because of the different specs, which to me was rather strange given that these were indeed true German Porsches. My local shop(s) did any work as needed.

Their is nothing wrong with buying a "grey market" Porsche as long as it has been maintained well. I had no problems with re-sale as many saw the Grey Market as better Porsches. Many felt that these cars were beat and driven too long and hard on the Autobahn and through European winter driving. Still, for those I knew who owned a "grey market"Porsche they thoroughly enjoyed them.

Bob
1973.5T