tcsracing1

What years was the 930 not available in the USA?

when did they change the wheels from 15" to 16"?

Porsche 930

Model Years 1975. 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1885 were not officially available for sale in the US.

An anomaly occurred during 1979 MY US (North American) 930 production when approximately 1/3 of that group were labeled MY 1979 but were actually produced with Porsche's normal 1980 MY production. Besides their 1980 chassis numbers these North American MY '79's can usually be distinguished by the updated 1980 style items they were delivered with.

MY 1975 and MY 1976 930's had 15" wheels, 16" started in MY 1977. In MY 1986 the rear wheel width on the 930 was increased from 8" to 9".
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tcsracing1

you are the man!
thx!

tcsracing1

What size were the front wheels?

Porsche 930

The front wheel width for the 930 was always 7".
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idart930

Bud - the late-series U.S. '79's had 1979 chassis numbers and the factory and U.S. EPA/DOT considered them 1979s. They only got some of the updates that crossed the model year but didn't receive major changes such as the 1980 dual-tip exhaust, front radiator oil cooler, etc. My late U.S. '79 #1164 even has a radiator oil-cooler mount but still has the trombone oil cooler present. The U.S. late-79's also had full leather interior whereas the RoW 1980 model 930s had portions of the interior in vinyl.

Porsche 930

Sorry I probably should have been clearer. Yes, all late series NA 1979 MY 2nd Build Type 930's have 1979 MY VIN numbers just as the NA 1979 MY 1st Build Type 930's do.

Something that solidly separates the two types is that they have separate identifiable tub numbers. NA 1979 MY 1st Build Type 930’s coupes have tub numbers beginning with 109xxxx that are included in an overall larger shared sequence with all other 1979 MY 911/930 coupes. And, all NA 1979 MY 2nd Build Type 930's coupes have sequential tub numbers beginning with 100xxxx that are included in an overall shared sequence with all other 1980 MY 911/930 coupes. This is the only time that I am aware of, that Porsche used two different tub sequences for one Model Year run.

The other point I was trying to make is that beyond the differences in tub numbers, if you know the parts to look for, you can usually distinguish the 1st and 2nd Types by the parts styles they were delivered with. Yes, there were the extra exhaust and cooler changes the RoW MY 1980 930’s received, but those changes were performance related. Thought has always been, Porsche would unlikely instal these changes (to the NA 1979 MY 930’s) and risk re-certifying the NA motors. Remember, Porsche was pulling the 930 from the North American market for 1980 over concerns of meeting EPA/DOT requirements.

Interesting that you note that your late U.S. '79 #1164 has a radiator oil-cooler mount but still has the trombone oil cooler present. Sounds like Porsche may have been supplying tubs for either trombone or radiator oil cooler configuration when your 930 was built. I’d be curious to know if the early ’80 MY RoW 930’s had the attachment for the trombone oil cooler bracket. Can’t speculate on the reason the NA 930’s continued with the full leather.

idart930

+1 - late-model U.S. 930 Turbos were truly unique in the Porsche production history…not just 930s but 911s as well. Porsche was trying to get them under the wire for U.S. EPA emissions compliance so they had to build them in 1979 with ’79 chassis #’s even though they had 85mph speedos, etc. They used 1980 tubs as Porsche’s model year had already changed for RoW 911/930 and U.S. 911 production. Many of the changes for 1979 models were changes that occurred mid-model year like many other 911 mid production year changes (930 changes...Blaupunkt radio *****, dash pad center vents, Nippondenso A/C compressor, flush headlight washers, etc.). The 85mph speedos were the only change that had to be made to meet DOT compliance but that U.S. law was enacted before the start of the 1980 calendar year.

Porsche continued to equip late U.S. 1979s with standard U.S. fitment such as standard interior colors; for example, light red was standard for U.S. but an option for RoW. For this same reason, they probably used full leather in the interiors since the U.S. 1979 brochures and dealer price lists specified full leather but it had changed for 1980 RoW 930s as specified in the color selection brochures.

shlobeck

Hi Guys, I love the conversation regarding the ’79 930s, interesting Porsche history to continue into the 1980 production year. I’m sure there was internal conflict and strife on their decision especially based on the eventual discontinuation of the model. But this anomaly has happened before, specifically with the ’69 Camaro which had a production run from Sept ’68 to February ’70. (Side note): What’s the regulation(s) for a manufacturer to produce a vehicle within a prescribed calendar year? As we know the ’79 930s were also a very hot commodity, selling and changing hands for $10-$30,000 over asking price. I’m sure financially Porsche AG, Porsche NA and local dealers all did well on these final ’79 930s. I remember a ’79 at the Porsche Parade in Monterey having a bill of sale for $59,000 while the sticker price was $42,000. Late ’79 930s were being delivered and sold as late as 1981, so I’m sure regardless of VIN or production numbers some these cars were in the factory after the 1979 calendar year ended. It would be interesting to locate the truly last “produced” US spec 930. Late ’79 930s can also be distinguished with a VIN production date between August to December 1979. Happy motoring, in one of the greatest cars ever made.