Pete Cheplick

A friend of mine is looking at a car which is advertised as a 1985 Turbo Slantnose cab, and I want to tell him that this car cannot be, at least not from the factory. Porsche never made a car like this, even in Europe, in 1985, did they?

Any comments to either support or dispute this car's existence would be helpful.

Thanks,
Pete

RobertG

yeah they made a few but they were grey market cars

MARS951

You'll have a very difficult time authenticating this car. I tried to research an '83 slant nose billed as a "special wishes" car from Werk I. I even wrote to Porsche asking for help. They replied that their records during the early 1980's were insufficient to substantiate the owners claims. I was able to ascertain that it was definitely not an original slantnose, albeit a decent conversion.

An inspection by an experienced Porsche mechanic/tech could validate whether all appropriate mechanicals exist (ie. heavy duty trailing arms (Turbo), headlight mechanical assemblies (slantnose option), etc.).

That said, it is not entirely impossible that it is NOT a factory car. It would be extremely rare. It all depends on the overall condition of the car and how much the owner wants/how much your friend is willing to pay.

What's the asking price and in what area of the country?

Mike R.
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RobertG

i have an 85 turbo coupe and I actually was at the factory in October 83 and in October 85. Both times I was there I did see in the old Special Wishes barn the guys working on white slant nose cabs. Both times they were going to Saudi Arabia.

Pete Cheplick

Thanks for the replies. I am guessing by the fact that the owner is not promoting this as a Special Wishes or very rare car, that it is not legitimate. Also, the fact that it is on Ebay makes this an equally risky deal (by doing a little research on the seller, the address turns out to be at a body shop of all places!). Check it out at:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1854106106" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1854106106</a>

This, I believe, is one to walk away from.

Pete

MARS951

Pete:

I checked the VIN - it's a regular 85 cabriolet.

Run away. Run far, run fast!

Mike R.

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craig001

Pete,

While I won't tell you to run from this car, I can give you some background. I looked at this car back in February when it was first listed on eBay. I can also tell you why I didn't jump in it.

1) This car is originally from Arizona. CarFax shows it was in an accident. I tried getting more info from the local police, but didn't really gave up after getting the call someone else run around. The previous dealer (out of Chicago stated it was a minor fender bender the broke the spoiler and cracked the windshield when the driver hit it. My feeling was that if the person hit the glass hard enough to break it then it wsa more than a love tap accident)ended up putting the car in a dealer auction. The current lister seems to be ok, I've talked to him on the phone, sunk several thousand dollars into the car. I think he will take $32,500. His buyer got taken in by the allure of the car. But it needed engine work, brakes, and some other stuff if I recall my converation correctly. We couldn't hit an agreeable figure using my 944 Cab as a partial trade.

2) VIN indicated that the car was originally a NA engine. I could not get any documentation on the conversion as the first dealer never sent me the engine numbers as requested. He kept trying to tell me it was a factory 930 even though the VIN told me different. It has a USA VIN, not ROW with the ZZZ in it. My wrench told me there's good conversions and bad conversions, but we all know this.

3) The slant nose metal is a conversion. If this was a factory slant/slope nose them the option code would be 505. I was told this was an aftermarket job, but a good one and the interior updated to electric seats. Top is manual (Porsche didn't offer electric tops until 1986 if I remember right).

4) The AC compressor is gone. The lines to it were cut and taped off. I would think that replacing all components would be the wise way too go after the system has been open.

5) The rims are nice and the tires are about 70% tread left. It supposed has the Turbo suspension and brakes (Option code 417 ?)

I think that's about it; the good, the bad and the ugly. I was going to get it for $28900 in February.

That is all. Good luck!

RobertG

after seeing those photos. I can tell you that even the special wishes program did not install those types of fenders in 83 to 85. They were non vented and they were not pop ups. the head lights were just under the bumpber.

RobertG

yeah, just saw the vin. Its not an 85 turbo. It must have the ZZZ in the vin and most likley who ever imported it would have the name etched in the metal label in the door jam. It would not be PAG or PCNA. It would be a private party. Those arent even Turbo Seats . Those are base 911 Seats and where is the turbo gauge? It should be un the center tach gauge. But I dont see it. I dont think this is a REAL turbo, but a Turbo-look 911.