My 1979 928 for $500

[SB914]

Hello everyone, never thought I be in this section of Pelican Parts, but here I am. Been on Pelican for about 7 years, have had 914's, 912's,(still have a 912E), and had never even stood close to a 928 until the day I bought this 1979 model.
I hope to get the car back on the road just as a challenge. I was looking for a work car for my wife one day, and went to see a guy in the next town over. So I get a long story ( kind of what you're getting here....lol) that his uncle had just passed away, was a auto mechanic who just collected cars to work on, and so forth.
The BMW he was trying sell was more apart than what the ad depicted, so I passed on it, but we struck up a conversation about all the cars I was seeing. I mean, this was a residential neighborhood, but I counted almost 10-15 cars that I could see on the street. I'm sure the neighbors were happy to see cars leaving the area.
So I tell him, I'm going to have to pass on the BMW, need a running car for the wife, and that I'm "more of a Porsche guy". He says "Oh really?" and says to follow him.
Now I have dillusions of grandure (sp?) that he's about to show me some Euro-spec 930 Turbo Cab w/ 5000 miles on it, right?
We go to the back/side yard where there's a make shift fence, he opens it up, and , I kid you not, the first time I laid eyes on the 928, I thought of the Tom Cruise movie "Risky Business" and the best line of the whole movie when the Porsche manager comes out and asks "Who's the U-Boat commander?"
I've only ever seen a 928 driving on the road, never having stood next to or sat in one ever. Of course, there was a little dirt and leaves all over it, but it had been running only 3 months before, was all there, and nothing was torn up. The two leather front seats, I'd like to think, are worth more than what I paid for the car.
I told him, I know NOTHING about these cars, more of an air-cooled guy. Based on that, I offered him $600 if he could tow it to my house nearby.
Now even as I'm offering him the $600, I'm contemplating what manner of death my wife will have in store for me because I was supposed to be looking for her car, and now we have another non-running Porsche at the house.
He immediately says no to the $600, and rightfully so, as I agreed, that if it was running, it was worth way more.
Well, maybe not WAY more, but I reminded him it WASN"T running, I knew nothing about these cars, again, and to think about it. Said Thanks, and walked away.
So, I'm sitting in my truck talking to my wife, waiting to be sent to the next car she's found on the internet, and the guy walks across the street to my truck and asks "how soon can you get this car out of here?"
I said I'd pay him (he offered) to tow it to my house for a $100, but when things came up, and he decided he wouldn't be able to do it, he took $500. Hell, I was still going to give him the $600 and still pay for my own towing!
As it turns out, while waiting for the tow truck and doing some paperwork, he told me if I hadn't bought it, it was probably just going to go to the salvage yard because his aunt was just GIVING cars and tools away. He said he had to take over getting rid of the vehicles, because she was just answering callers, and telling them to come and "take what they want". He said guys were showing up and taking welders and all of the guys tools and toolboxes. Kinda sad.
So my plans were to see if I could get this running and use it as a fun car. My wife was actually glad when she found out it was an automatic that she could drive, unlike all the Porsche's I've had, and tried to teach her how to drive a stickshift. (I'm still recouperating 30 years later from that whole episode, mentally and physically...lol)
So, I've been lurking here for a few weeks, doing searches on likely problems and their remedies (grounds, people, think grounds) and have started to remove the old mobile phone, radar detector, stereo, Clifford alarm system and the accompanying 20lbs. of wiring.
It supposedly had been running just a few months before when there started to be electrical issues with relays and fuses.
So I have at least a direction to start, I'm sure I'll be on here regularily asking questions, seeking advice (yeah, I know, dump it while I still have the chance!).
Thanks, Bob

[Cam in Aus]

This is awesome. I love hearing stories like this and congratulations on your purchase.

It's a balmy evening here in Melbourne town and I just got back from taking my '87 S4 on a cruise up and down the freeway, with the windows down and sunroof open. No music, just the sound of rushing air and the V8 up front.

When you get your car going, you are going to have the time of your life.

[Landseer]

Car looks fantastic. Great find.

How about some overall pictures.

Its a Euro spec car, at least judging from the rear facia, which isn't particularly important from a mechanical pespective but it has that cool foglight and is sans rubber bumpers. Front fender lights are also Euro. Has D-90 wheels?

Again, huge find, appears to be in VERY nice shape. That silver paint --- if its a respray, which it may not be, it sure looks like a decent one.

My wife claimed an automatic back in 2008 and absolutely loves the car, has put 35,000 miles on it.

[SB914]

Thanks guys, haven't really done much on the car because 3 days after I bought it, on the way home from picking up my son from school, I had someone make a left hand turn in front of me at an intersection and totaled my Tundra. Amazing how little damage can be on a vehicle and they're totaling it. But that's another story.

Cam, I'm assuming your name is Cam(eron) ? My mom grew up in Melbourne before coming to the US in 1958. Will have to ask her if she remembers an address.
I hear you though, my son and I can't wait to get this fired up and go through the school car line!

Landseer, you caught something I've been trying to determine, and that is: what makes a 928 Euro-spec? I haven't even tried to get the engine # yet, but I'm guessing there's more than that? Have no idea about D-90 wheels, but like all Porsches, there's plenty of wheel options. Kind of like them, but wheels are a low priority now. Want to hear it growl.
The color is actually Light Blue metallic and looks better in pictures, but, hey, I know a body shop now!!!
I think the car being an automatic saved my bacon that day because for the first time bringing home another Porsche, the wife didn't come out, smirk, shake her head, and walk back in the house. She actually sat it and I could read her mind, "hey, I can drive this!"

More updates as I can finish with body shop visits, claims adjusters, car rentals, and searching for a new truck.

Thanks in advance for all the questions I'll be asking soon,
Bob

[Mrmerlin]

get the engine code its under the top radiator hose about 4 inches forward of the clamp at the water bridge and about 12 inches under the hose look for some numbers that will say
M28/??

[SB914]

Thanks Stan, found the numbers, which are: M28/02 and under those is: 8195441.
Does the VIN contain any info on being Euro? I saw a thread saying the filler #'s/letters would be ZZZ for Euros, but I think that was for another year, not 1979? VIN is 9289100958.
I'm hoping not to have problems with DMV on this car, as the owner is now passed away (have Death cert., which was REAL weird and creepy for a car transaction, for me anyway) but made sure I got a Bill of Sale signed by the executrix of his estate. To be safe, also, went to my local PD and asked if this was stolen and came back OK, last registered non-op in NY in 2009.
Might validate being Euro if brought through NY?
I'm sure I'll be learning little bits and pieces for quite awhile.
Thanks again, gentlemen,

Bob

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by SB914

Thanks Stan, found the numbers, which are: M28/02 and under those is: 8195441.
Does the VIN contain any info on being Euro? I saw a thread saying the filler #'s/letters would be ZZZ for Euros, but I think that was for another year, not 1979? VIN is 9289100958.
I'm hoping not to have problems with DMV on this car, as the owner is now passed away (have Death cert., which was REAL weird and creepy for a car transaction, for me anyway) but made sure I got a Bill of Sale signed by the executrix of his estate. To be safe, also, went to my local PD and asked if this was stolen and came back OK, last registered non-op in NY in 2009.
Might validate being Euro if brought through NY?
I'm sure I'll be learning little bits and pieces for quite awhile.
Thanks again, gentlemen,

Bob

It's totally a Euro. Low HP Euro, but nontheless an excellent buy.

Your Specs:
77-79 - 3-auto (Euro) 4.5L-16v M28/02 229 250 8.5:1 K-Jetronic 140 8 16 3197

Porsche 928 Forums dot com - View topic - 928 Engine Types & Performance Data

[MPDano]

Euro telltales: The seats, the side marker lamp is behind the front wheel, Hvac head wording, stalk wording (usually in the cruise control lever), and the fog light lense to the left of your rear license plate.

[SanDiego928]

Great you scored! Winner!

[SB914]

Mark, will feel more like a winner (and not a whiner ) when I hear it rumble for the first time AND get it smogged and registered. We'll see...

Bob

[MPDano]

Is this a previously registered car in Cali? Post pics of the Drivers side door jamb, specifically EPA Decals, etc. You can blur out your vin if you like.

[AirtekHVAC]

I officially hate you!

Not really! Awesome catch...did you buy a lottery ticket recently, by chance? If not......

Welcome....I hope you enjoy tinkering with it....be sure to check for thrust failure, fuel lines, vacuum hoses...all that jazz....keep us posted on what you run into, and we'll help all we can!

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by SB914

last registered non-op in NY in 2009.
Might validate being Euro if brought through NY?

Bob

I just read this bit. Your in for some real life issues with the Calif Smog Nazis on this one. If you know someone in another state, register it there. Not to un-motivate you, but is going to be a real problem.

My 81 Euro was even registered here in Calif and is a grey market like yours is and I barely got it to register.

Before you even put a wrench to it, take pics of your door jamb and anything that has vin markings and visit your local BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) and see what they say in getting this registered here in Calif.

Is there a smog pump? Cat? Pics, pics, pics.

[SB914]

AirtekHVAC (Ron) No I officially ran out of luck 3 days after buying this 928 by having someone turn in front of me and totalling my Toyota Tundra.

Here's a few pictures of the door sill, maybe something on there that it was registered in CA before?





Will have to look tomorrow for any evidence of a cat or smog pump. Actually would the pump be in the engine pics I posted?

Thanks,
Bob

[AirtekHVAC]

Well, I am on my 2nd Nissan Titan, which I personally prefer over the Tundra....so you are lucky! Now you can go get a Titan!

[AirtekHVAC]

Then you can haul your 928 around, like me!



In all seriousness, hope everyone is ok.....trucks can be replaced.....

[MPDano]

Looks like it was imported and converted here in California. The phone number is still active but to a body shop. That has a BAR ID on it, so it must have or have had smog equipment on it.

Call your local BAR in your area. See what that ID pulls up and ask if this car will be an issue to register. Sort this stuff out first.

[MPDano]

http://www.bar.ca.gov/‎

They seem to be down for some reason

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by SB914

Will have to look tomorrow for any evidence of a cat or smog pump. Actually would the pump be in the engine pics I posted?

Thanks,
Bob

Smog pump is low on the passenger side so your pics wont show it.

[SB914]

Thanks everyone, for the input. I have been dying to dig into the car more, but haven't had the time.
I'll try to get better pictures when I can move it out from being wedged between the fence and our driveway. Right now, I have to keep it off the street until I can title it.
Really all I did so far was tow it home, pressure washed the dirt and leaves off, moved it off street, and removed the old mobile phone and part of the old alarm.
Lots of good suggestions so far, so Thanks again,
Bob