Podguy

Every year model has its own set of issues. The 78 being the first year had some deficiencies that were fixed in the later years. However, the first ones built were of better quality than the later producton run models. Things to watch for on the 78 are as follows:

1. Alternator failing to keep up with the demand from the car when the A/C is on a night.
2. Vapor locks when sitting after long drives. Loosening the gas cap fixes the problem
3. No climate control. Getting the HVAC controller out of the center console to fix the broken slides is a challenge. It attaches from the back and has cables rather than electrical / vaccum system of the older cars.
4. Most came with no sunroof. Some of the Euro models had no right side mirror.
5. The 78 and early 79 five speed are unique to the model and may be more difficult to find replacements.
6. Second gear syncro has a noticable knotch when shifiting. More than the later cars.
7. The cruise controller seems to work on the 78s while it will probably be bad on the later cars up to 87. Don't know why.
8. The outside door locks broke frequently. By now they have probalby been replaced unless you get a very low mileage one.

Subtle differences to look for as collector value.

1. An intact fiber board spare tire cover with label.
2. A stainless steel gas cap.

The early cars had a sense of humor about colors. There was a lime green one near by that was recently sold with a darker green interior. The owner had a license plate reading SLIME. The interiors often had check board patterns on the seats. As I understand it the black and while checked board is available for repairs, but the other colors are not. In 78 Porsche offered a small variety of stock colors and some very weird special order colors. It is possible that teal was a special order color.

There are some upgrades necessary and worth looking for. The front brakes are inadequate. The front shocks are not height adjustable. The lower ball joints are aluminum and can separate in a turn. The best bet is to find a front suspension off a later S car and change the parts out.

bronto

These are called Pascha Op Art. It's the black & white that is no longer available, and if anyone has any leads on some or good used seats let me know. The black & white/tan and the blue & white/gray are still available. I don't know if there are other combinations.

I guess I'm becoming the resident Pascha expert.

Vilhuer

G28.03 manual box and longer TT was used up to early '80 MY cars. Also early '78 MY have yet different TT as gear selector rod support was mounted to body instead of on top of TT. There were many small changes done during first MY. Even body has several differences underneath compared to '79 MY.

There is nothing in '78 color map which I would call teal. This doean't mean its not possible to have that color on any and every MY 928. There is at least one '78 which has early seventies green from 911 color map. Nothing made after that seem to fit the color it has.

Fabio421

But doesn't Porsche offer a paint to match option on all special order cars? This could be the answer here. Would the Vin tell the story? I know on my 78 there is no sticker inside the driver door to tell paint color etc.

BTW. WHats the deal with VIN's on the 78? My 78 that I just bought does not have the standard vin that I am used to seeing on a 928. It is a Euro so I was expecting a ZZZ #. Instead it has numbers only and they start with 928XXXXXX . Is this normal? I also noticed that the vin tag on the dash looked very different than my 84 and that there was a VIN tag at the front of the engine compartment near the latch assy. Can someone clarify.

Vilhuer

Found this old thread while looking for something totally different.

Paint to sample was probably available even back then. Door sticker should be there and have correct paint code. VIN doesn't tell directly what color each car is. Porsche could maybe tell with it.

17 digit VIN usage was started in '80 MY. Earlier 928 have 9 digit chassis number with different numbering system. This is stamped to body close to engine bay plus post, not on top of fender like 17 long VIN's are.