Thanks for posting this. What trip down memory lane! I had the same car in late college/grad school. At that point in my life after a bunch of 911's with no floorboards, I just wanted something watertight with a defroster. This sort of fit the bill. The defroster worked. Watertight? NOPE! Mine had a burnt ring on one of the cylinders. My dad honed it with some sandpaper, dropped in some new pistons (without ever dropping the engine or taking even one engine measurement), even used the same headgasket, and it didn't burn one once of oil ever.
That audi engine was the bomb. however.... That four speed wasn't inspiring, nor were the drum brakes in the back, nor was the rust through the battery pan into the passenger floorboard. I think he paid about $900 back then too. It amazed me even 20+ years ago how well that blue piping held up. Looks 20 years later to be invinceable. The good news is that with those skinny tires, it steers better than a non power assisted 944. Good gas mileage too.
I saw a similar one for sale recently for about the same price. It's only saving grace in terms of 924/944/951 PIA maintenance is that unlike the 944/951, you never had to work on it. .. well, the alternator fell out one day, and I had to change the waterpump, but it never left me stranded.
I do remember 20 years ago wondering about the martini/rossi stripes. What was the protocol? Even then they were faded and rust was popping underneath. What is their value? What does one do? I remember being ashamed of them in a way... for how was this car different than a typical 924? A badge, some stripes? Although I was embarrased by it 20 years ago (not the car's fault, I'm just not a flashy person...), I do wonder how those things affect value today, and deep down inside, I hope the martini/rossi original stripes gain value over repainter samples, but only time will tell.- maybe it did tell... $900 bucks... but it does hold a soft spot in my heart now.
I do wonder about the tunnel bearings in the driveline though. I wondered it 20 years ago and wonder it today... How long do they last?!?!?
Would I want another? Nope, but thanks again posting this!
Ron