Good discussion on this topic among the peanut gallery for Rob's 78 that is up for auction on BaT: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-porsche-928-36/
I recommend you pay particular attention to Rob's comments.

 

Just a quick dump from memory: wiring harness, rear fuel pump mount (beneath the tank), ignition lock cylinder mechanism (vertical home), white frp/hard composite backer panels for doors and rear quarter trim (instead of the press board like material), similar material for tool tray, star-shaped door lock *****, pod doesnt seem to have mounting points for plastic trim on the bottom (surrounding the dimmer and intermittant wiper stat), the cluster housing is different than others Ive seen as well as the odo gear is a different material than the later biodegradeable ones. Also hard to know what is a prototype vs. just a running change to resolve reliability/durability/cost issues, but the early cars had some other bits that were changed in 78 or by 79, such as the SS gas cap, chrome lock cyl bezels, self-cracking interior air vents, steel cross brace w/hex head bolts, etc. Keep in mind that there were a couple hundred (or more) Euros built before the early US spec cars began to roll.

 

^^^
Okay, so you just won the geek out award for the day. And I love your use of parentheses (man after my own heart)

 

 

My first clue was when the car spun to a halt in the middle of an intersection with the passenger side front wheel tucked beneath the motor cross brace. Not ideal.

 

Curiously, mine gave out on the driver's side, as I was pulling into a row of parking spaces. Folded up into the wheel well just as you described. Two minutes earlier, I had been (... ahem) possibly exceeding the speed limit on the freeway.
I'd replace those things & take any penalty they imposed on judging. It's just not worth it.
BTW I feel similarly about the aluminum lug nuts. I still have mine, but they're in a box on the shelf.