rixter

I got an email from a gent with a Japanese vin 9289209598
now we've been around the block and back on vin's before so just a quick "any guess on Japanese production?"
worth grabbing? (like I can actually be stopped at this point)

Jim bailey - 928 International

Is it right hand drive? the fifth digit 2 is for both USA and Japan for 79 ,means it has smog equipment.

rixter

it's a lhd but the 9598 should represent Japan per previous forum discussions, just wondering if they made just 100 or more as they start at 9501 if I'm not mistaken

Vilhuer

What on earth you're trying to do? Corner entire market for '79's to raise their value?

Once again Austen's book out and...

He also gives production numbers as

3009 ROW
2388 USA+Japan

Counting from VIN's leaving out first 0060 or in Japan's case 9560, numbers give

2999 ROW
2225 USA
63 Japan

Total production models for USA and Japan would be 2288. If Austen's data is all correct there where 10 ROW and 100 USA+JPN prototypes. This would mean 40 to 60 prototypes for Japanise market, making total production for Japan somewhere between 103 and 123. 9598 is then 78th or perhaps 98th 928 for Japan in '79.

You cant' find third '79 #2196

BrianG

I don't know if this applies to OB's, but a fellow in Canada is importing S4's from Japan into Canada fairly frequently, and is bringing ONLY LHD cars. I'd wonder if those Austen's numbers represent only RHD Japan cars?

Vilhuer

If their VIN's are in 9501... region they're Japanise models, LHD or RHD. There is about 10 different GTS's in this Japanise site. Only two of those are RHD and one of them is used import from Hong Kong according to text. It doesn't have usual fender extensions. Isn't there one ex Japanise LHD S4 in Cadana with 9xxx VIN? Is still believe most of the original Japanise models are LHD. Same applies to many other exotics, Ferraris for example.

rixter

vilhuer, you caught me, yes I'm trying to corner the market...
this guy has been slowly parting the car and is about to just give up, said he'll call me in next week or so to come haul off what's left, all I need is a rhd to finish the collection
if anyone has info on 78 rhd for sale LET ME KNOW!! PLEASE

Mark

Hey Rixter - are you one of the HUNT Brothers??

(Only us OLD FARTS remember who they were!...For you youngsters - the Hunt brothers tried to corner the silver market many years ago...they ended up bankrupt! CAREFUL rixter!!!)

ColinB

Hey Erkka
The 'build label' on the floor of my car says it's type 927 921. I've always wondered what that means. Does your book explain it?

Colin. 89GT

Vilhuer

Book is in german and I'm not very good at it, so there might be something in text what I haven't noticed, but very likely it's not explained in it. Haven't seen any explanation to these anywhere. Mine says 928 940 and I thought all would be like:

928 910
928 920
928 930
928 940

Seen many like those but they all were LHD cars. Never seen one like yours or sticker from RHD in general. Maybe this is RHD thing. 944's internal number is 944 for LHD and 945 for RHD. Other example is LHD 944 Turbo being 951 and RHD 952. 927 is suposed to be four-valve version of type 917's engine and 929 '73 Turbo Sport Carrera. It wouldn't be first time when same number is used twice. If so, only odd thing is why 927 wouldn't be for LHD and 928 for RHD, earlier number always to LHD. Marketing name could still be 928.

What do others have as type in build sticker, especially on RHD cars?