1982 911 SC Sportomatic

Ok, Here is my scenario. I am a U.S. Marine Stationed in Japan. I am beginning to look for a car to drive while I am over here and possibly bring back to the States when my tour over here is done. From what I can tell it is a 1982 911 SC, with a Sportomatic Transmission. It has 83000km (52000miles) on it. And appears to be in pretty good condition except for a spot of bondo on the right rear fender that is beginning to peel off, 2 small cracks on the whale tail (appear to be from people leaning on it), and fading paint. From what I have been able to find the Sportomatic wasn't available in this year. Also the Tail appears to be non stock because the engine cover (is it still a hood?) says Carerra on it. The Dealer is aksing about $5000 as is or $9000 fixed. I think I could do the repairs myself cheaper. My questions are, does anyone have any Ideas of things I should look for on this car? Does anyone know what the differences between the Japanese spec '82 911 and the US spec '82 911 are? I can E-mail pics if anyone wants to see. Thanks for your help
-Eric

John Liu

According to the 911 Red Book (lists Porsche model data) the Japan SC engine was the ROW (Rest of World) engine except for the addition of catalytic converter, EGR and heat shield. The US 49-state SC had catalytic converters. The US Calif SC had catalytic converter and EGR. Of course, the Japan and US catalytic converter aren't necessarily the same. Also according to the Red Book, the Sportomatic was discontinued in 1980.

To decode the VIN, here's something I lifted off the Pelican Parts forum <a href="http://forum.pelicanparts.com" target="_blank">http://forum.pelicanparts.com</a> with some additional comments I added in [brackets] to clarify or after reading the Red Book:

"Here's how to decode Porsche 911 VINs:
1-3 WPO World Manufacturer Code (WPO is for Porsche)
4-6 EBO VDS code for the
USA and Canada
4 = indicates which series it is "A" indicates 911 coupe,
"E" indicates Targa, Cabriolet or Speedster and
"J" indicates Turbo Coupe [and "Z" is ROW]
5 = indicates engine for "A" Canada (A) or USA (B)
6 = type of restraint system "0" for active and
"1" for passive [not sure about this - "2" might mean passive i.e. airbags]
7 & 8 91 1st & 2nd digit
of model code 91 indicates 911
93 indicates 930
95 indicates 959
9 Fill in digit for USA code [means a placeholder, could be Z or C or X o a number]
10 H Model Year H=1987 H = 1987
11 S Manufacturing Location S = Stuttgart
12 1 3rd digit of model type 91(1) = 911
13 2 Body & Engine type 0 = R.O.W. 911 SC or Carrera Coupe
1 = R.O.W. Turbo Targa
2 = USA 911 SC or Carrera Coupe
4 = R.O.W. 911SX or Carrera Targa
5 = Turbo Coupe USA and Canada and 911SC
or Carrera Cabriolet R.O.W. and Japan
6 = Turbo Targa USA and Canada and 911SC
or Carrera Targa USA
7 = Turbo Cabriolet USA and Canada and 911SC
or Carrera Cabriolet USA
14-17 1512 Sequential number Number 1512th built out of a total of 2916 [of that particular series, not counting from the first-ever 911]"

To decode the option sticker, go to <a href="http://www.kindel.com/Porsche/options.asp" target="_blank">http://www.kindel.com/Porsche/options.asp</a>

Seems cheap, but maybe not for a car with a mismatched transmission and some history of bodywork.

The Sportomatic is interesting - I don't think I've ever actually known anyone who owned one. I also don't think I've even heard of an SC with a Sportomatic - the (very few) Sportomatic cars you see advertised are earlier cars. My guess is it'll either make the car very hard to sell in the US or it'll make it a unique curio.

Here is a website of someone who is into Sportomatics <a href="http://63.193.244.164/stuff/Default.htm" target="_blank">http://63.193.244.164/stuff/Default.htm</a> There was an article on the Sportomatics in a recent issue of Excellence Magazine (Dec 2002?)

$4000 to fix a patch of bondo seems silly, but I don't know Japan. Then again, some would say buying a 911 with bondo is silly.

As for things to check, I have never shopped for an SC but I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses. Carrera chain tensioners and airbox pop-off valves are the main add-ons that everyone seems to want. You might go over to the Pelican board and ask your questions there too. Also some good books that helped me when I shopped for my Porsche (1989 Carrera) are Paul Frere's "Porsche 911 Story", Bruce Anderson's "Porsche 911 Performance Handbook", and Wayne's [forgot his last name, but he owns Pelican Parts] book "101 Projects For Your Porsche 911".

When I first read your post my reaction to the car was decidedly negative. After writing this response, I find myself more intrigued. I actually think that, in your shoes, I might buy the car just because it is so unusual, and relatively cheap. Admittedly I spent years with a 62 Land Rover as my only car, and have a soft spot for Citroens 2CVs too. But, hey, why not "think different"? And doesn't Japan have some terrible traffic in spots? (Where are you stationed, anyway?)

1982 911 SC Sportomatic

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by John Liu:
<strong>According to the 911 Red Book (lists Porsche model data) the Japan SC engine was the ROW (Rest of World) engine except for the addition of catalytic converter, EGR and heat shield. The US 49-state SC had catalytic converters. The US Calif SC had catalytic converter and EGR. Of course, the Japan and US catalytic converter aren't necessarily the same. Also according to the Red Book, the Sportomatic was discontinued in 1980. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Interesting, This should (in theory) make it easier to import. Does the 911 Red Book say anything about crash worthiness?
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>
Seems cheap, but maybe not for a car with a mismatched transmission and some history of bodywork. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That's what I was thinking.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>
The Sportomatic is interesting - I don't think I've ever actually known anyone who owned one. I also don't think I've even heard of an SC with a Sportomatic - the (very few) Sportomatic cars you see advertised are earlier cars. My guess is it'll either make the car very hard to sell in the US or it'll make it a unique curio. </strong>
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">If I buy it I have no intentions of selling the car. I would use it as a summer daily driver and autocross car. As far as curio, it would depend on if that tranny came from the factory in that car.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>

$4000 to fix a patch of bondo seems silly, but I don't know Japan. Then again, some would say buying a 911 with bondo is silly.

As for things to check, I have never shopped for an SC but I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses. Carrera chain tensioners and airbox pop-off valves are the main add-ons that everyone seems to want. You might go over to the Pelican board and ask your questions there too. Also some good books that helped me when I shopped for my Porsche (1989 Carrera) are Paul Frere's "Porsche 911 Story", Bruce Anderson's "Porsche 911 Performance Handbook", and Wayne's [forgot his last name, but he owns Pelican Parts] book "101 Projects For Your Porsche 911". </strong>
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">This weekend I am planning to go back to the dealer and ask about the chain tensioners and the airbox pop-off valves.
Bondo and Paint are the main things, it also needs some silly stuff (lubrication of hood release cables etc)
I already own "Porsche 911 Performance Handbook", Dad is shipping it to me now. (I bought it when was a teenager to look at the pretty pictures, knowing one day I would own a 911. I just figured I would probably be older than I am now. Dang, Insurance is gonna kill me) </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>

When I first read your post my reaction to the car was decidedly negative. After writing this response, I find myself more intrigued. I actually think that, in your shoes, I might buy the car just because it is so unusual, and relatively cheap. Admittedly I spent years with a 62 Land Rover as my only car, and have a soft spot for Citroens 2CVs too. But, hey, why not "think different"? And doesn't Japan have some terrible traffic in spots? (Where are you stationed, anyway?)</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I am in Iwakuni which is about 45 minutes (by train) south of Hiroshima. I know what you mean, my last car was a '86 Jetta. And yes, Traffic can be bad but I have no objections to driving a stick in traffic. I actually prefer it to driving an automatic in traffic.

Where do I find the VIN number and the Option Sticker?

pjc

VIN Number should be on the RHS of the trunk.

SC's were made with the Sportomatic gearbox - in the first 2 years of production they used the 930/13 engine type number, in 1980 moved to the 930/19 (930 because the SC used the Turbo crankcase from the 3.3 Litre 930/60 engine). Torque was the killer of the Sporto system - hence the move from 4 speed to 3 speed in approx '74. THE car in question MAY be a genuine Sporto that took a while to sell - could be one of the very last?

Check for oil leaks around the tranny - difficult to fix and can be expensive unless you can find someone who understands the system. Because there are so few this can be a problem.

Also look on <a href="http://www.porscheclubgb.com" target="_blank">www.porscheclubgb.com</a> who have a Sporto page.
Good luck

Peter

John Liu

The option sticker on my car was on the inside of the trunk lid.

Do military personnel get an EPA/customs break on bringing cars back into the country? Should check it out - otherwise might be complicated to import a Japan-spec car and difficult to sell this particular one if it turns out you can't bring it in. Even if the Japan-spec car was in fact identical in emissions and safety equipment to the US-spec car, that might not necessarily satisfy the bureaucrats.

Red Book does not say anything about crashworthiness. All it is a spec book, basically - model X had VINs in this range, this spec engine, these color codes, Y number were made, etc. One of the less useful/interesting Porsche books I've bought, but it's pretty cheap ($13). If you can't get it, I can photocopy the pages relating to the SC and fax them to you. Send me an email at johnliu "at" earthlink "period" net (I'm trying to foil automated spam address gatherers . . .)

I wonder how you can find out if it has the original engine and transmission. Try this site <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/emcon5/" target="_blank">http://members.rennlist.com/emcon5/</a> it seems to say there was no 1982 SC with a Sportomatic (referred to as "SPM") in the table. Are you sure it is a 1982?

Does anyone know where transmissions are numbered and if that number is supposed to bear some relationship to the engine number or VIN?

You can apparently order a Cardex from Porsche, which is some sort of certificate of authenticity and gives some information about what options and mayb even engine or transmission number came with the car. Search under "cardex" here or look at the Pelican forum, e.g. this thread <a href="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7044&highlight=cardex" target="_blank">http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7044&highlight=cardex</a> I've never gotten one so I don't know how long it takes, how much info they give, how much more info Porsche can provide if you are persistent, etc. May be worth inquiring at a local Porsche dealer.

Post what you find out. Interesting car.

1982 911 SC Sportomatic

The dealer told me it was an '82. I am going to go talk to the dealer after work on friday (roughly 3am Central time). Hopefully I'll be able to get more info about it then. I have some pics of the car as a whole and the bondo'd section if anyone wants to take a guess as to how it would affect the value. Does anyone know of a good way to post pics to the internet? It looks like I need server space in order to do that, and I don't have any.
-EWA

John Liu

Does the "Upload Photo" link at the top of the Rennlist page work? I've never tried it myself.

1982 911 SC Sportomatic

Here are the three pics I think tell the most about the car. first is a driver's side shot of the whole car, <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/DSCF0021.JPG" alt=" - " /> second is the rear of the car showing the non-matching engine cover (is it still a hood?) <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/DSCF0024.JPG" alt=" - " /> and third showing the poorly done bondo work. <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/DSCF0026.JPG" alt=" - " />

Oh, and for the record, that link allows rennlist members to upload pictures for posting on Rennlist.
-Eric

Chris Bennet

I would give that car a wide berth. Fixer uppers are almost always the most expensive way to buy a 911. You can get a good driver 911SC for $9-12K in the US that will be cheaper in the long run than the one you are looking at. You really need to educate yourself and look at a lot of cars to find "the one" but the "quest" is fun in itself.
-Chris

1982 911 SC Sportomatic

I am well aware of the costs of repairing cars, My Dad is in the process of restoring his "baby" a 1972 BWM 2002. In my oppinion the body is gone, but he bought new fenders and sanded them down and is in the process of welding them on. The more I think about it the more I think maybe this isn't the right car for me. I have never been a fan of automatics and this being only a 3 speed is about as close as it's gonna come in a Porsche, I'd rather have a straight up Manual. The Body work, by the looks of it appears as if it would catch rain and hold it against the sheet metal. No telling how bad the panel is rusted underneath. And the more I read, the harder it would be to import it to the states. The dealer said he would fix it up and sell it for $9000, this is certainly a better deal, but I don't think I can afford to spend 7.5 months pay on a car, not to mention insurance for a 20 year old to drive a 911. I think I'm just not in a high enough tax bracket to own a 911 just yet. Maybe I'll just have to settle for a Nissan Skyline while I'm here.

Oh and no, the Gov't doesn't cut any slack to cars imported by service members, they still have to meet all the same requirements as everybody else.

The US Gov't has given an Eligability Code to the 78-89 911 Coupe, which means it is "substantially similar" to the US model so it only has to be brought into compliance for crash worthiness, emissions, and theft prevention.

-Eric

pjc

VIN carries no info on transmission - engine numbers do - if 4th number is a 9 the car carries a correct engine for Sportomatic tranny.