1984 n/a: one of the last great vintage sports cars (lots of pics)
03-10-2008, 08:10 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1984 n/a: one of the last great vintage sports cars (lots of pics)
With my inlaws visiting I got permission to sneak off for a couple hours of destination free driving in my new-to-me 1984 n/a. I took it around the east side of the island in search of some twisties while listening to era-appropriate music from the "Less Than Zero" movie soundtrack, and a mix disc I made specially for driving in the 44. Cue the Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter", Public Enemy "Bring the Noize", Belfegor "All That I Wanted", Killing Joke "Eighties", Sabbath's "Mob Rules", Elvis Costello's "No Action", and Sponge's version of "Speed Racer".
As you can see from the pics, it's got an S2 nose and rear diffuser. The guards red is in decent condition and could use a buff and wax and the tint has seen better days. Except for a throttle cam upgrade and the nose, it's basically stock as far as I can tell. I've had the car for about six weeks and am loving every minute of it. It's a quick little car with loads of style.
The ride is firm and the Fikses are very - shall we say communicative about every bump, crack, or pebble in the road. Just the way I like it.
Coming from 1960s Ford Mustangs, I can't believe I'd call a 944 "vintage", but in fact it is. Alot of people bemoan the early dash, but me, I prefer it to the late dash. My reasoning is the 1985.2 dash looks like something you'd get in any car today; and what was "modern" then is just ho-hum now. The rounded 3 gauge binnacle of the early dash takes me out of the present, and sends me back to another era. Especially with the smell of mid-grade octane wafting through my back end. I sprung for the R134 a/c upgrade so I can close the windows and crank the air if I'm so inclined.
I love the handling and power to weight ratio. I've driven an Audi TT and a BMW Z roadster, a 350Z, and countless other "sporty" cars from the 90s on. I've been a passenger in a Boxster for what that's worth. They may have more horses and more modern suspensions and brakes, but they all feel heavily laden. Quite understandable when you've got ABS, airbags, traction control, rev limiters, and power everything. The 944, in the form I have it, with the 2.5 engine, the 4 wheel discs, and the unpadded steering wheel with the barely there power steering is plenty for me. I would dare say it's more fun than an S2 or a 968, but that's a guess (and I don't want to anger any S2 or 968 owners, and you won't get a debate out of me).
As far as I notice, it's got a usable power band up to about 4500 rpm and will turn in on anything as long as the road is dry. I scared the crap out of a bunch of sport bikers as I blew past them while they were milling around somebody who's bike slid out on the wet leaves and I felt bad for a few seconds, but I got over it as GnR's "You Could Be Mine" came on my crappy stereo. It will climb any hill, and my favorite gear is the one right below the one I'm in.
So here's to the lowly square-dash n/a. I don't know about whether it's the LAST OF a bare bones breed of sports car, but it's definitely one of them.
As you can see from the pics, it's got an S2 nose and rear diffuser. The guards red is in decent condition and could use a buff and wax and the tint has seen better days. Except for a throttle cam upgrade and the nose, it's basically stock as far as I can tell. I've had the car for about six weeks and am loving every minute of it. It's a quick little car with loads of style.
The ride is firm and the Fikses are very - shall we say communicative about every bump, crack, or pebble in the road. Just the way I like it.
Coming from 1960s Ford Mustangs, I can't believe I'd call a 944 "vintage", but in fact it is. Alot of people bemoan the early dash, but me, I prefer it to the late dash. My reasoning is the 1985.2 dash looks like something you'd get in any car today; and what was "modern" then is just ho-hum now. The rounded 3 gauge binnacle of the early dash takes me out of the present, and sends me back to another era. Especially with the smell of mid-grade octane wafting through my back end. I sprung for the R134 a/c upgrade so I can close the windows and crank the air if I'm so inclined.
I love the handling and power to weight ratio. I've driven an Audi TT and a BMW Z roadster, a 350Z, and countless other "sporty" cars from the 90s on. I've been a passenger in a Boxster for what that's worth. They may have more horses and more modern suspensions and brakes, but they all feel heavily laden. Quite understandable when you've got ABS, airbags, traction control, rev limiters, and power everything. The 944, in the form I have it, with the 2.5 engine, the 4 wheel discs, and the unpadded steering wheel with the barely there power steering is plenty for me. I would dare say it's more fun than an S2 or a 968, but that's a guess (and I don't want to anger any S2 or 968 owners, and you won't get a debate out of me).
As far as I notice, it's got a usable power band up to about 4500 rpm and will turn in on anything as long as the road is dry. I scared the crap out of a bunch of sport bikers as I blew past them while they were milling around somebody who's bike slid out on the wet leaves and I felt bad for a few seconds, but I got over it as GnR's "You Could Be Mine" came on my crappy stereo. It will climb any hill, and my favorite gear is the one right below the one I'm in.
So here's to the lowly square-dash n/a. I don't know about whether it's the LAST OF a bare bones breed of sports car, but it's definitely one of them.
03-10-2008, 09:47 PM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
03-10-2008, 10:09 PM
#8
Drifting
I've heard from numerous people that they would take a plain jane '83 over any other 944 because they're so light and nimble.
You got a hell of a deal on that car. Wish it would have been across the ocean.
You got a hell of a deal on that car. Wish it would have been across the ocean.
03-10-2008, 10:26 PM
#10
Race Car
Michael
03-10-2008, 10:35 PM
#11
Drifting
nice car.
924nas are nice cars but they lack power
personally I like the late dash, I used to have a 924 with the old school dash and it just looks too cheap to me. looks like a vw scirocco interior but that's just my opinion.
924nas are nice cars but they lack power
personally I like the late dash, I used to have a 924 with the old school dash and it just looks too cheap to me. looks like a vw scirocco interior but that's just my opinion.
03-10-2008, 10:36 PM
#12
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Land of 10,000 potholes
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just fyi.. here are a few fun little twistys for you if they ever got around to paving them..
Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road between Pupukea Road and then between Kawailoa Drive and Twin Bridge Road.
Mt. Kaala Rd.
Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road between Pupukea Road and then between Kawailoa Drive and Twin Bridge Road.
Mt. Kaala Rd.
03-10-2008, 11:00 PM
#13
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Nice pictures and great post. Your positive outlook and enthusiasm are contageous. These are wonderful cars!
03-10-2008, 11:21 PM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep, been on all those except Mt. Kaala Rd. I'll have to find that one. If your curious, yesterday I was on Old Pali Road, Auloa Road, and Maunalani, and around Waimanalo to Blow Hole, back to Diamond Head. I also want to do the Kolekole Pass, but that's restricted to military access only.