I'm a prospective buyer with a question:

I've noticed differences in the tails on earlier porsches... I've generally noticed that the turbo cars have "end-plates" on their tails when compared to the 3.2s.

If I've found a "turbo-look" 3.2 without the end-plates, would that be an indication that it is not a factory widebody? is there any other way to tell if it is not a factory widebody?

 

Yes the carrera tail and turbo tail are different, not just the "end-plates" but the base is also different. If you see a carrera with the turbo look with a carrera tail it most likely is not a factory M491 turbo chassis car, but it could be (but not likely) that at some point the original tail was replaced with a carrera tail.

There two easy ways to tell if a car is not a factory built turbo chassis option (option M491).

First the brakes on all turbo chassis carreras (option M491) have the same 4 piston brakes as the turbo, if not it's not real.

Second there should be a option sticker on the underside of the front trunk, it will have M491 as one of the options, if the sticker is there, but the option code is not, it is not real.

Beyond that you would want someone with a lot of knowledge to check the car our, or see the certificate of authenticity from Porsche

 

the turbo look (M491) also had the turbo's front hubs, suspension arms and rear torsion bar tube. the way to tell is to get the 17 digit VIN# and have someone at the dealer run it for you through the DCS to get the option codes if the sticker is missing in the maintaince manual or the front hood

 

With the VIN, in the US, you can call Porsche customer service at 800-PORSCHE, and they will tell you the option codes, as-shipped exterior and interior colors, and if any recalls are outstanding. Note, they can't tell you what the option codes mean, however, under the 'General' category on these forums there is an option decoder.