I completely agree that the tail lights on the prototype may have some "test mule" disguise in them. In Michael Cotton's book there's a rear view photo that shows them better and your interpretation makes sense.

 

do they sell any aftermarket tailights that look better than the stock ones?

I agree it reminds me of a vw camper bus or volvo whenever I see the rear end.

 

You really made my day! What a laugh!!!!

 

lol if they make that early 928 tailight with the colours red yellow and green it'll look like a traffic light.

 

I think you guys are reading waaaaaay too much into this.

Think about the era. In 72 the USA didnt have bumper requirements. In 73 the front had to absorb a 5mph impact without damage. Solution: mount the bumper to horizontally mounted shocks and put a rubber accordian like thingie (like the 911s and chryslers) on the side so when it compresses it expands to the same size.

Then in 74 the USA required that rear bumpers withstand a 5mph impact.

now the designers are in a tight spot. the science of urethane wasnt there yet, paint would crack etc. so the europeans made a simple vertical back of the car and mounted a slim nice bumper on the rear of the euros and the big box of bricks on the US cars.

a great example of this is the 73/74 lemans. Pontiac designed the car, and at the last minute had to hadd bulky bumpers to the front. hence the car looks like butt. then in 74 they had to get rid of the slim bumpers on the rear and replace em with 2x4s on shocks.

the european carmakers were much smaller then than now. The europeans also i believe required yellow signals, while the americans didnt care.

lets not re write history. look at the bumper on the lotus. notice how it is separate from the car. add some shocks, and it is fine for the US. So yes, i think they looked at that aspect of the car and swiped it. if in fact the lotus was the first car to set the bumper up like that.

However, IIRC, the DeTomaso Pantera had a similar rear end, and may have been out before the lotus.
From wikipedia:

 

A word of advise...Never stare into a Pantera engine bay for too long, you could fall in.

 

Panteras are teH hOTneSS!

 

checkout these backlights :







or this blinker/wiper switch?




http://www.supercars.net/Gallery?cmd...rID=404&pgID=1

familiar rearview mirrors..

 

I'm loving it!

 

Anyone else notice that the 968 is what would happen had a 944 turbo/S2 and a 928GTS had a child?

 

its interesting there being 2, maybe more ways of looking at these cars. for some its all about evolution, more modern = better. to me, these cars were just becoming common when i was first into cars (age 9-13). for me there is a certain retro appreciation of the blend of design forward porsche lines and strong utilitarian euro feel. for me, a 924S driver, i personally really like the 944/51 rear section, with my 924 rear 2nd, 968 3rd, and 928 last. of course i have endless respect for fine specimens of these cars, but there is something plasticy about the 928 and 968 rear lights.

So for me, the late 80's german feel, both driving and in looks, is what i like about these cars and specifically the rear lights and strong stance of the 944. of course i like the front end of my black on black 924, which is something that probably puts me in the minority here to begin with. and I'm still pretty new to p cars. I do also design for a living. for some reason, those wierd rear lights of the 928 and 968 would be a neg. on considering making one of those my babies. its fun to talk about though. i get so much happiness driving mine. maybe i'm just part of the retro generation.

 

+1

I love the way back end of 944 looks and think that 968's front end is ok, but rear end was designed with total lack of imagination. when you look at it, it looks like something is missing.

the only thing that doesn't fit nice on 944 rear end is us numberplate.. too bad you don't have both formats of plates like here.

 

944 tail lights didn't copy volvo tail lights, it was volvo that copied the 944. But volvos are more abundant and not as cool so 944s end getting made fun of. I look at it the other way - I think it just makes volvos look that much better.

 

The late 70's early 80's VW Vanagon has 944 taillights too.