RicerSchnitzzle

Hey guys,

I have been bitten by the shark bug pretty hard. My father had a 928 when I was in High Schol in Germany. I learned to drive in that car on the Autobahn. I finally reached the point in life where I can afford a couple toys. My '81 Euro has not dissapointed at all. I am planing on a S4 purchase early spring. However, while purchasing my '81 I ran across a '80 I really like, however it was a US version and somethings didn't line up right for me with the car. The dealership has contacted me again with a lower price that makes it real tempting. The enterior will clean up nicely, engine pulls strong with no visable leaks or drips, auto transmition shifts hard and may need work. I would like to give it to the wife as a weekend driver.

Here's my issue. According to the title and VIN# it's a 1980. however the Vin plate is missing from the engine compartment. The vin # on the window piller is just tucked in, no rivets or glue. The interior is not stock 1980, even has digital clock. The rims are not stock 1980. The third brake light is not stock 1980. And the engine is most deffinetly not stock 1980. The interior and engine tell me it's a 85 or 86. If it's really a 1980, someone went to a lot of work to change the entire car to an '86...

My thought is it's a stolen '86 with the vin plate and title from a junk yard '81 928.

The vin is 92A0810683. Where on the frame is the VIN number repeated to be sure?

Here are some pics. Thoughts???
I'm thinking if the title comes back clear on carfax, I'll go for it.











BTW looking $3000 +T&T out the door. Parts are worth more than that. Odometer shows 86K not sure what title shows.

Mike

heinrich

it is VERY fishy

kary4th

Check the engine number, too.

heinrich

Basically it's an '85 or '86 and a beauty I might add.

WallyP

Look for a VIN stamped into the chassis in the engine compartment, passenger side, close to the coolant tank. All cars have the world-wide style of numer stamped there - you will have to translate it into the USA-style VIN to get a usable carfax report.

Vilhuer

92A0810683 is '80 US model. Check chassis number in engine bay next to spring mounting point on passager side. Mirror image of the number can sometimes be visible inside the fender.

Mike Frye

It looks like the engine is a 32v, no? That means the engine is at least an '85 or later.

Mine is an '85 and doesn't have a third brake light, so I think that came later. Can't help beyond that. If you're not considering a resale (ever) then this might be worth it.

The experts here will give you more, no doubt.

heinrich

See the passenger fender midway down on the gutter that is covered by the hood when closed, there should be a VIN there. Look under the rear carpet above the fuel tank, there should be a VIN.

Nicole

Strangely, the exterior paint looks like petrol blue, which was a very early color.

Vilhuer

H, truck sticker came in '81 MY I believe.

fbarnhill

Well,
I aggree that it sounds a little fishy. However, the vin tag on the dash will come off after a little while due to the heat and shrinkage of the leather on the dash. (This is assuming, a leather dash). Also, I have considered putting the larger engine in my 79. It makes sense to desire the larger engine with the lighter body. What kind of breaks does it have? Does it have the larger 86.5 breaks or the smaller ones of the OB? I think for 3k this thing could be a steal if the workmanship is good enough and the title can be verified.

Good luck,

Vilhuer

Could be pictures but petrol blue is bit lighter blue with little more green in it also.

heinrich

This car is almost definitely '85 or '86 and likely '86.5. As such it should have VIN tags in the trunk; windshield (riveted in, no way to fall off); engine bay, and I do believe every panel on the car, including the fenders and doors.

RicerSchnitzzle

heinrich, 86.5? Didn't think about that. I'll check the brakes this weekend. 86.5 should have the larger S4 brakes correct?

It is a repaint, not sure of the original color as original paint sticker in drivers side door jam is gone. The pics don't show it but it has a bit of green in the blue, almost a dark teal. Build sticker above gas tank, under carpet is missing. I'll check for the stamp by the coolant tank. Won't be until this weekend though. it should clean up nicely, however it needs a repaint. Several visable runs and plenty of overspray, kinda like it was done in a hurry....hmmm....

If it's an '80, why would someone go to the trouble of removing the rivits on the engine plate? Engine code is M28/44, but that doesn't tell me if it's original to the car. Notice even the power steering resevior is not the old style. If it's an engine swap, they swapped everything.

Also notice, no side molding. Not sure if the delete was an option in 1980.

docmirror

I'm guessing early '86. It has Design-90 wheels. Sure is cobbled together. The guy selling is a dealer? Once he's aware of a VIN problem, he's not legally allowed to sell it. Not everyone follows the rules though. And now that you know it has a 'modified' VIN, it's not really legal to register it. Could be serious issues down the road.

Heck, maybe someone went to the trouble to update a 1980 model with later engine, brake eye, wheels and other bits....

Doc