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im new to 928’s but haven’t shaken the itch since I first borrowed my friends back around 1992.
im heavy into 356 and early 911’s though. Used to vintage race them too
here’s what I’d like to do and am asking for advice.
im attracted to the very early narrow no flares or spoilers 928’s especially with the pascha interior and phone dial rims. Probably a manual but autos are a great match for this car too.
my intended use is long hours on back roads in New England and some freeway hours. I value reliability.
id Like to find an incredible original condition one. Low
miles, pascha necessary.
Or have one built for me with upgraded engines and mechanicals.
will I find the stock early good enough and high quality enough? Is the engine strong enough? Brakes? Easy to update if needed without affecting value?
is the electrical reliable enough to depend on?
or should I find a great starting car and have it build the way I want? Is the replacement pascha good enough?
importantly is there an A plus shop out there? For example Rod Emory has built me two cars. I only want the best and most reliable. I’ve been stranded too often
Low miles, incredible condition early (78-82 non-S) 5-speeds with Pascha and phone dials that are dead-nuts reliable are very rare indeed. There are very few 'incredible condition' early cars out there, and 928 garage queens are getting valuable enough that you might not want to put as many miles on them as you'll discover that you want to.
Are they good enough? Sure, in that 40 year old classic sports-GT way that what is now a 'slow' car can be a very engaging driver. 3100 pounds, 230 hp, and a short-geared 5-speed is a great combination, you can drive the **** out of them and keep up with the 75-80 mph freeway traffic here without issue. The early non-S brakes are not great, upgrade to the S brakes is easy and reversible.
You could certainly have a restomod-style early 928 built, the replacement Pascha is fine. Find yourself a 1980-85 Euro S 5-speed without a sunroof as a start, and have it done in the manner that you like. There are a number of recently completed outstanding examples that would serve as inspiration templates for you.
There are only a few A+ 928 shops out there that can do a comprehensive Emory Outlaw-like 928. I'm thoroughly biased in favor of Precision Motorwerks here in SoCal, but Greg's waiting list is long and distinguished. You might also talk to Dave (Worf928, here on Rennlist), he's there in NE.
That’s helpful Rob. What do the best condition original early 928’s go for?
I probably should do a complete build for the purpose I am thinking of.
I'm not really a restomod person as most of my cars are as stock as possible. Preservation class first paint. But this is a replacement for a daily modern car for long drives so if it can be better I’m ok with that. My other cars are 1973 (RS) and earlier.
Would a stock early car be involving enough? It would be pricey I assume as I would want a preservation candidate .
I almost think it would be better to get a great donor and build up one? Though original interiors always seem better than new ones.
I would also consider a club sport if it was good enough. So that’s three 928’s now!
Given the lead time Rob, maybe a great original one if it can be found while I await my build. Then decide which or keep both.
.... What do the best condition original early 928’s go for?
An early car, pascha, 5 speed, no sun roof or rub strips, original paint and in a good color, original interior in very good condition, up to date maintenance, engine and trans in good shape, reasonable miles, all records, all cool original bits (bulb kit, tool kit, spare belt, metal gas cap, etc), near preservation ready, is going to be in the $50K+/- range. A low miles concours quality will exceed that significantly. They are out there, but you will need to pursue them. They rarely go up for sale, and are not widely publicized.
Note, to buy a decent donor and build one that meets these qualifications will cost a lot more than $50K. See the Minerva thread - do it yourself and you'll save, but you'll need one hellofa support team and lots of knowledge. Your best bet is to go hunting.
Look over at the link posted today in the “928s for sale” thread. Your car is for sale for 38.5 euros somewhere in Europe. Lime green over Pasha, no rubs, no roof, Pasha 5-speed. If you want an uncut early 928 experience and a car that’s going to draw everyone at the cars and coffee meets away from the 997s and 991s, this’ll do it.
Look over at the link posted today in the “928s for sale” thread. Your car is for sale for 38.5 euros somewhere in Europe. Lime green over Pasha, no rubs, no roof, Pasha 5-speed. If you want an uncut early 928 experience and a car that’s going to draw everyone at the cars and coffee meets away from the 997s and 991s, this’ll do it.
....importantly is there an A plus shop out there? For example Rod Emory has built me two cars. I only want the best and most reliable....
I'm going to make assumptions from these statements^^^ your budget, and that you don't like slow cars.
Shops to consider:
Precision Motorworks in LA you'll spend, you'll wait.
Worf928 in MA you'll spend, you'll wait.
There's others, but not many. and with those you'll spend and wait as well.
Since you are into the aircooled world, you know about the concept of the backdated outlaw 911. I'd find myself a 928GT, preferably supercharged or stroked, already built/ sorted by one of these shops. They're around, just have to write the check. I'm pretty confident you can still buy these cars for less than the cost of buying a beater and having all the work done. I'd then backdate the interior body and color to your dream early car look. Bodywork is easily available, and competent interior shops are available to create the inside. Only reason mention this is I've considered it myself... Depending on your own skills, you can be all done for under $100K. For me the best part is it would be "all porsche 928" ... no LS motors or corvette trannys (not that there's anything wrong with those executions, and in some ways they are superior)
I think this is the formula for the best "early" hotrod car, in the least amount of time, for less money than you'd spend building one over a much longer period of time.
If you have hotrod 928 on the brain, you will be very disappointed in the performance of stock early cars, and early automatics significantly contributed to killing the reputation of the 928 for about 40 years.
To reflect what others have said, you are looking for a needle in a haystack. But they're out there.
Easier to find are mid-level early 928s. In this range most of them need some love ($). So your best bet is to find one that is "over the curve", where substantial service and resto has been done.
One like this should give you lots of enjoyment, and you can put some miles on it, and can be picked up for $20-$35k (latter of the range is the higher end if the curve).
Again, this is all mid-level early 928.
First thing I suggest is driving one - a good one. Driving a local junker will only leave you disappointed. But if you sample one that is worth a lick, you will come away wanting an early 928. They are really sweet to drive! Not big on power, but fair on torque and are relatively light - plus other dynamics that make them lively.
Good luck with your search!
I agree with everything everybody else just said above. And if you're looking for that early car to build up then look no further than the one that Jim is offering for sale here. It checks almost all of your boxes for a build.
Jim is one of the most knowledgeable early car 928 guys around. And then since you're in the New England area definitely get in contact with Dave Chamberland
AKA Wof928 here on RL.
I agree with everything everybody else just said above. And if you're looking for that early car to build up then look no further than the one that Jim is offering for sale here. It checks almost all of your boxes for a build.
Jim is one of the most knowledgeable early car 928 guys around. And then since you're in the New England area definitely get in contact with Dave Chamberland
AKA Wof928 here on RL.
Thanks for the kind referral, Nate. I can see where you coming from with the Minerva car for a build. It's a good spec with good bones.
It certainly wouldn't qualify as a mid-level car, as I described above. I'm sure you understand this, but just wanted to clarify for the general audience.
Special order gold 1983 high horsepower Euro S owned by the same lady since 1986, that is a fantastic thing to find. 83K miles. Special order green leather not pasha. Less than $25K, perhaps much less with the right offer.
Look over at the link posted today in the “928s for sale” thread. Your car is for sale for 38.5 euros somewhere in Europe. Lime green over Pasha, no rubs, no roof, Pasha 5-speed. If you want an uncut early 928 experience and a car that’s going to draw everyone at the cars and coffee meets away from the 997s and 991s, this’ll do it.
01-09-2020, 01:59 AM
928 - looking for early and ultimate build
