worf928

Hey folks, calling on the collective knowledge here - especially those north of the border.

I have a local just-purchased car here for a post-purchase inspection. It comes to Yankee Land by way of Florida and supposedly Canada. It as a couple of interesting features, pictured below.

It has both style of side markers - front fender and rear fender.

It has what must be the cat temperature warning sensors on both sides of the cat. I was under the impression that the cat-temp warning was Japan-only?

It has a WPOAA VIN number on the windshield and a ZZZ VIN on the right fender consistent with an NA-spec 928. It does not have the 9xxx last four/five digits that are reported (?) to be identifying traits of a Japanese 928. Engine code is seemingly correct.

WFT is this thing?

Where else can I look?

Thanks in advance.

danglerb

Front marker looks more factory to me than the one behind the wheel, so I will guess NA car converted for another market for a time. Details of the VIN should tell the real tale though.

worf928

Rear markers are definitely "stick-on".

The two easily-locatable VIN numbers are, however, consistent with an NA-market 928.

IcemanG17

the rear markers look exactly the same as the 1980 Euro I had...but that car was a true euro rear marker with the stick on ones in front? Maybe this car was a USA converted to some other spec...but it doesn't have the add on front fenders either

Tom. M

There was an 87 here in the PacNW that spent some time in Japan. Had almost exactly the same setup including the cat sensor and the smaller side markers. My guess is US spec that was in Japan for some period of time.

worf928

Interesting theory that is consistent with all the facts.

So, any 928 imported to Japan had to have the cat-temp warning system and rear markets retrofitted?

Seems like a lot of trouble to go to so as to be able to inch your way through Tokyo traffic...

Vilhuer

9xxx VIN were not used for all MY Japanise models. Just '78-79 and '85-88 are known to exist.

Since it has AA in VIN I presume its '91 MY US or Cadana model as '91 was first year AA2 VDS code was used AFAIK. In any case all ROW should have ZZZ in windshield tag also in those MY's which have it.

AO

When you talk to it say the following.

Kuruma-san, boku no chinpo wa kekko chiisai kara, anata to sekusu wo dekimasen.

If it hits you, it was in Japan. Actually, on second thought, it breathes a sigh of reliefe, then it was in Japan.

Stay out of "nut-strike" distance.

worf928

Thanks mang. I got it covered though:

Imo000

I’m working on a Japanese, ’89 S4 and under the hood, there are several labels on Japanese, also under the catalytics, there is a heat shield along with the cat temp probes. I was just under it last night. Also the H4s that they came with are designed for a RHD vehicle, meaning they bend the light upward to the left side of the car (In North America that’s towards the incoming lane). Also it has a headlight aiming **** just above the trunk release (on the left hand side of the car, this is a LHD Japanese spec 928). The speedo is only metric and only in English. The side markers did not look like yours. They are just like the ones in the other post (about the Japanese GTS autions, with the flares). I didn’t notice anything else so far.

Another thing: The cat temp probes don't liik like yours. They are smaller, only have a steel tube that goes through the above heat shield with a rubber gromet around it. Also has a fabric (probalby asbestos) sleve around it. Ther are no visible electrical connector anywhere on the probe. Yours looks like an aftermarket unit.

worf928

Interesting. So, more evidence that this 928 was, for some reason, modified and brought to Japan for a time?

rixter

send me the vin and I'll see if I can find out anything

worf928

Thanks DUDE! PM sent, presently.

Hey, wait. I think I owe you beers. Were you at SITM?

the flyin' scotsman

Dave..............I have seen quite a few ex-Japan cars that have ended up in Canada.

Originally configed by the factory for Japan the cars had ROW markers ie the front marker were behind the wheels. Also, the engine paint especially the intake was badly flaked and in one example (I have heard of others) had TBF.

The CAT sensors were disabled and the later Japan cars have interesting fender additions.

Another 'option' true Japan cars have is the headlight 'tilt' located beside the hatch release DS.

worf928

I'll look for that.

I think though, that there's little doubt that this isn't a "true" Japan-optioned car. The mystery is why it has Japan-option-like accouterments - and, perhaps, what to do about them.

Does anyone know if the cat temp sensors were/are required in any other country?