Hey Guys,

Was hoping to get your thoughts as experts, given I am relatively new to the 930 platform. I am looking at a Canadian car, to be exact a 1982 930. It is marketed as a Turbo (and certainly has the full looks, hardware, down to the boost gauge). However, when I ran an Autocheck, it shows as "Turbo Look" (its current Canadian Title states "911 Turbo", FWIW). Also, the Canadian equivalent of CarFax (called CarProof) designates it simply as a "Porsche 911 Coupe", rather than specifically outlining it as a Turbo (maybe that's just how the report goes, without giving further model specifics).

I called PNA and without formally getting a COA (as that takes weeks and I need to make a decision beforehand), they too indicated in their records it shows as a Carrera "Turbo Look".

Lastly, looking at the VIN and the Porsche VIN decoder website, the 4th and 5th letters are "JA" (WP0JAxxxxxx). lf it were a true turbo, shouldn't it be "JB"? (the "J" refering to the Turbo body style, and the "A/B" to the engine type)? I should mention I am remote and in no position to look at the car in person (but will be scheduling a PPI, assuming it is indeed a Turbo).

The seller is very genuine and I have no reason to doubt him, as he is acting based on what he himself knows (which is he bought it as a 930T). There was also an old add I found from a few years ago and the car there was also marketed/sold as a 930T. It is during the period of time that the Turbos were only sold in Canada, not in the US, so wonder if that has something to do with why I can't seem to get enough info as to what this car truly is. In other words, did it leave the factory as a Turbo-Look and was then upgraded to a Turbo in its early days by the original owner, or is it indeed a 'true' 930 Turbo leaving Stuttgart.

Any guidance and help in dispelling this 'mystery' is greatly appreciated.

 

Pm me on where it is , maybe we know of the car or driver and can find out before you even schedule any PPi .

There is also a very active Canadian forum where folks i am sure would be more than willing to help. well, after we applogize that you fell into our forum..

 

Turbo look would be a rare bird coming out of Werks 1 in '82. (I only personally know of things coming out of there in the form of the first slant noses--a 930 that WAS sold new into the US--starting in '83, but feel free to correct me.

In any case, check of the engine and transaxle numbers should shine more light.

 

the other place you could ask is te Turbo forum if you have mot already, they may have more specific information.

I highly doubt however the VIN is just "wrong" . If the vin indicates turbo look and the car is a turbo , something is fishy.

 

Sorry to state the obvious, but it is not a 930.
It's referred to as M491 Turbo Look and if there is a turbo in it, it's not original.
But, who knows.

 

In '82? School me on Canadian/ROW cars, because we didn't have those coming into the US until '84. (And it's an option, so no separate VIN designation.)

 

Sorry Ken. I was typing the same time as you and I do respect your knowledge on these things.

I'm just saying if the VIN comes up as a Turbo Look what else could it be?

 

I'm with Ken. This car may be quite special. I'm a little surprised nobody has a COA or cardex on the vehicle.

 

There's no separate VIN for a Turbo Look (aka M491).

Yeah, I'm thinking weirdness out of Special Wishes/Werks 1. Again, the first car I personally knew that came out of there was a US (Phoenix) delivered slope nose 930 that was an '83. Kid (yes, a guy who was actually younger than me) somehow got one of those first non-louvered slopes. (More to the story and how it was, um, intentionally destroyed when the louvered fender cars appeared the next year, and he wanted one but the guardian who controlled his money didn't cut loose with the cash...........)

 

Do some checking:

Turbo's came equipped with 930 tie-rods, while Turbo-look cars had 911 tie-rods.

See if it has the 4-speed transmission as most conversions retained a 5-speed.

 

Were there M491 cars during the SC run?

 

Thanks for all the pointers and advice, guys. Keep it coming. I don't think it is a "special wishes" car, and certainly hope there is nothing 'special' about the car (in terms of distorted history or foul play - e.g. right VIN/wrong car).

This is a page from an old Canadian Porsche manual I am told. Shows VINs for 1982 Canadian cars and the VIN in question is in that range. Just weird that this does not follow the usual Porsche standard where the Turbos are "JBs" (4/5th letters).

Again, it was during that dark period where us Yanks were deprived of the Turbos so not sure if this has anything to do with it where Porsche (seemingly) deviated from their usual designations as per the attached.

 

According to the redbook, yes. Paternie lists the M491 option all the way back to 1978. My aunt has a factory M491 cabriolet from 1983. I know they exist, though they were very rare.

Dr Ferdinand,
You are posting vin information. Do you have the chassis number? It will start with either 911 or 930. That will tell us more than what you have been posting.

 

Hi GT,

Unfortunately the owner does not have the sticker in the owners manual (and correct me if I am wrong, this being a 1982 Porsche did not put stickers below the hood as that started as a practice in 1983?)

I went to pod-online.fr where I have had good success for my 993. This is the info that I was able to get under the quick VIN search.
____________________________________________________________
Désignation de modèle

TURBO COUPE
Année: 1982
T. de commande: 930771
Engine Code: 930.60
Transmission Code: 930.34
Type: Porsche 911
Model: Model 930 - Annee de fabrication 1982
Variant: Turbo Coupé (Canada spec)
Engine: 3.3-Ltr, Flat 6-Cyl, 5-Spd Std, Continuous F.I Bosch K-Jetronic

____________________________________________________________

In reality, it is actually a 4-spd (vs report saying 5).

 

Chassis number will be on the plate in the front trunk. It's not a sticker. It is attached with rivets. If it is gone there are serious questions about this car's history.