Uranium-235

Hi! I'm a first time Porsche owner ('83 944), but may be looking for my second at some point. I am curious about the body construction on the 928's. For some reason I was thinking they were all aluminum, but I did a search on the 928 Forum and found some info to the contrary. Could someone please let me know the materials used in the 928 bodies? Thanks!

For example, are the front fenders aluminum or steel? rear quarters? door skins, hoods, roof, door frames, rockers, etc...

BC

Fenders: Aluminum
Hood: Aluminum
Doors: Aluminuim

Rear Hatch - steel (ugh, very heavy)
Roof - steel
Body construction - steel

All Steel is galvanized quite well. Rust only usually happens with shoddy holes drilled through or very deep chips.

The doors are ALL aluninum but the safety bar is of course Steel

Uranium-235

How are repair costs compared to an all-steel Porsche? I'm thinking of the Audi A8, that needs to be repaired at authorized shops only due to its construction, is the 928 similar?

worf928

The A8 requires special treatment because the unibody is aluminum.

The 928's unibody is - as Brendan wrote - hot dip zinc galvanized steel.

The only 'issue' with 928s is that - legend has it - the unibody is exceedingly stiff and only the strongest frame machines can do anything with it. On the other hand, these days - since 90% of 928s are 15 years old - frame damage equates with total loss for insurance purposes.

BC

The numbers are declining Dave.

worf928

I just did a quick calculation from the production numbers...

93% of all 928s produced - ever - are at least 15 years old.

Bart

So what part of the hatch is it that rusts? I've seen a couple with rust problems around the rear hatch. Is that just the frame that's rusting?

BrianG

Nope the whole hatch is steel. There are a number of penetrations in the "S" onward cars which could be the source of rust start-up. The "S"'s spoiler is a notorious place for rust to develop in rust-prone environments.

Uranium-235

Thanks for all the info, guys.

One more question - how hard is it to get replacement body panels, such as fenders, hood, doors? What I mean is, are parts cars readily available, or is it more a case of hoarding parts like they're made of platinium?

Warren928

Replacement parts from the big 3 are easy. Do a search in this forum for parts suppliers, fortunately we have some great people to work with. Ive seen parts used quite a bit too.

BC

I got a set of doors and a hatch for 180 dollars.

I just have to get them home now.

Mark

Rixter has a (GROWING!) stable of parts cars....and many of us have stuff sitting around. Body panels are not that hard to find, and typically are fairly cheap...most will require major stripping and refinishing - i.e. - they won't come primed and ready like "new" replacement panels for most cars.

CWO4Mann

Here is my roof .... P/O says he thinks something fell on the roof and then there was some water or something.

Cheers,

Dave