I have solved the great 1988 944 mystery!! look here

[85.5classic]

Not much is know about the 1988 Porsche 944 "celebration edition. I have research this vigorously, even writing every stinking person over at Porsche Germany. I did hear the the special edition owner was given aq special coin to commemorate this edition and that it could have been mounted 'SOMEWHERE" inside the car. So I search the world for this coin and finally found one in germany. To make a long story short, I gutted my interior over the past week and noticed two round indents inside the glove box door. When i received the coin (about 3inch) my eyes lite up. I ran down to my garage and low and behold I have solved the mystery. It was mounted inside the glove box. Now i just need to find out what the other circle is for. Maybe its the personalized plaque rumored.

[mikepellegrini]

You've got the M757 option code? Or M755 or M756?

[John_AZ]

Very interesting.

You could put the Pelican Grill Badge on the other side.

[85.5classic]

Originally Posted by mikepellegrini

You've got the M757 option code? Or M755 or M756?

M757 "1988 only"

[mikepellegrini]

Originally Posted by 85.5classic

M757 "1988 only"

That's pretty darned cool. There can't be many of those cars left in service. What did the option package include (other than the obvious badges)?

[85.5classic]

Originally Posted by mikepellegrini

That's pretty darned cool. There can't be many of those cars left in service. What did the option package include (other than the obvious badges)?

By 1988 sales were falling dramatically, with the production down by nearly a third from 1987. However, this only encouraged Porsche to celebrate the 944 breaking all the company's previous sales records. To mark the 100,000th car rolling off the Neckarsulm production line, a limited edition was made available in either Zermatt Silver or Satin Black Metallic.

These Celebration models- effectively standard cars brought up to a very high specification, featured black leatherette, the attractive grey or maroon "STUDIO" cloth and silver and grey carpeting. The new split rear seat backs were included, along with automatic heating control and removable electrically tilting sunroof. Wheels were the optional 7J front and 8J rear “telephone dials”, fitted with 205/55VR16 and 225/50VR16 tires respectively. Integral fog lamps were also fitted at the front. US models did not have the rear “944” logo found on the cars for other markets. These also shipped with a special edition coin and personalized plaque for the owner. Only 500 were shipped to the US.

I only know or 7 of these still on the road.

[Schumi]

Most likely there are a bunch more out there that are just thought to be Zermatt Silver 88 models whose previous owners lost the coin and plaque.

Although the studio cloth interior bits and split rear seats are a dead giveaway.

[85.5classic]

Yes, most of the cloth seats were lost to time and replaced with black. The only way to tell is the color and the door panels. Of the 7 cars i know of only 2 still have the plaid interior. One is mine, but my interior is shot. I found a extra plaid seat cover and im attempting to use it to patch the other two. Wont be perfect, but at least i can say i still have them.

[porsche4life]

Hate to burst your bubble... But My 86 has those two little roundlets...

[85.5classic]

hmmmm.. Well it fits in it perfectly..actually its a pain to get out once you put it in the hole

[porsche4life]

My 86 is an N/A... I would have to check the book but I think those are meant for you to sit a drink in whilst you are parked..

[85.5classic]

It would be a crazy coincidence if they just happened to be the exact same size as german cups...lol My door doesnt open flat..it flips all the way down..Maybe something worn..i dunno

[porsche4life]

Yup there are supposed to be arms on each side of the door... They snap off.... I remade mine out of aluminum.

[cwiert]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Hate to burst your bubble... But My 86 has those two little roundlets...

Mine too. Mine's an 88 as well, but not a celebration edition. But I have those indents too. My glove box door doesn't open that far either. Fully open it is level with the ground. I think those indents are meant to hold a drink or cup if you are parked and not driving.

[porsche4life]

Yup from the factory they had these crappy little plastic arms that held the door level... Those tend to snap off... I too mine and traced on some thin aluminum and cut it out and made new ones that won't break....

[Eric 951]

Re-iterating what has been said--my 86 turbo had the indents as well--I always assumed for drinks while parked.

[sweetskillsrk]

Interesting, never heard of this edition. Thats awesome, though, and like everyone else my '88 has the indents too, never really paid any attention to them though. Pretty cool the coin fits though, I don't even want to know how much time and money you spent to get that thing, haha.

[racer]

Those indents are cup holders in true German 1980s fashion of "what the heck are you drinking in a car for.. but since your american, here you go"

The Celebration was, to be honets, a marketing ploy. Sure its filled to a "high content".. those are the items that became options as the mark/dollar was in the crapper. It gave the buyer a feeling of getting something special.

I admit, the funky cloth interior is nice. Similar to the TurboS that came out in '88 as well. Must have gotten a great deal on the fabric back in the homeland

I came across a very nice example 2 years ago but went in another direction. I can see the appeal because of the interior differences, but I don't think its something to prop resale value up on these cars either.

Nice plaque though - I can't read it.. what does it say? is it in German or English?

[looneybin]

the indents fit a soda (or beer) can

[Damian in NJ]

AndyK in NJ on Rennlist had a Celebration car, but sold it when he bought a 996.