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I am not 100% sure of anything I say! What I am sure of is that when I was looking for my shark, I tabulated each car's options, and the most common options (for the S4 model line) were:
CodeDescription
158 Radio "Monterey" - 86 "Reno" - 87
418 Protective side mouldings
570 High output air conditioner
650 Sunroof
C02 Equipped with catalytic converter
Not all of them, but more cars that I considered had these options than didn't, so I assume that it was part of a "recommended option list" for dealers ordering cars for the US. The US market demands certain amenities in an expensive car, so the basics like rear A/C and a sunroof were just expected in our market. And at $70k+ in 1989, for example, one would similarly demand heated seats in a car purchased in the Northern climes.
That said, Porsche has always catered to the individualist, and so most options were available a la carte if a buyer wanted his Porsche just so. So if some wealthy Porschephile wanted a 928 to track, it could be ordered with A/C- and sunroof-delete, but let's face it, how many of those freak were there??
I am not 100% sure of anything I say! What I am sure of is that when I was looking for my shark, I tabulated each car's options, and the most common options (for the S4 model line) were:
CodeDescription
158 Radio "Monterey" - 86 "Reno" - 87
418 Protective side mouldings
570 High output air conditioner
650 Sunroof
C02 Equipped with catalytic converter
Not all of them, but more cars that I considered had these options than didn't, so I assume that it was part of a "recommended option list" for dealers ordering cars for the US. The US market demands certain amenities in an expensive car, so the basics like rear A/C and a sunroof were just expected in our market. And at $70k+ in 1989, for example, one would similarly demand heated seats in a car purchased in the Northern climes.
That said, Porsche has always catered to the individualist, and so most options were available a la carte if a buyer wanted his Porsche just so. So if some wealthy Porschephile wanted a 928 to track, it could be ordered with A/C- and sunroof-delete, but let's face it, how many of those freak were there??
Yes and no.
I have learned that although some wanted the 94 turbo without a sunroof they could not special order it that way. Same thing happened to the 997 GT3 first production run. A lot of buyers were up in arms over the fact that they had to take delivery with a sunroof.
Since the 928 was available with a sunroof delete for ROW market it might have made it easier to get one that way. The 94 turbo both US and ROW all came with sunroofs.
I agree that a good portion of the S4's had the options you listed although it is my understanding that the GTS made the Sunroof and Rear air standard eq for the 4 years or production for US delivery. Although it was standard it was listed as an option on the sticker. Just the same as the 94 turbo had the LSD, Sunroof and A/C standard eq but listed as a no cost option on the sticker. I believe if you check all of the GTS's came with rear A/C and only this one without a sunroof but it is more like a 60/40 split on rub strips which would lead me to believe it was a no cost option instead of standard eq.
Just speculating of course, although when you ordered your 94 turbo the salesman didn't check off Sunroof, a/c or LSD it just came equipped that way.
I think you gain an inch or maybe even 2" without the sunroof. Someone here with both will probably be able to give a more exact answer.
Its about 2" - I could get a more exact measurement later, would have to go open the sunroof and measure on my '87, then measure the bits for the '89 (the headliner is out of it at the moment, so I can measure the insulation thickness, headliner thickness.
Its enough that I'll be selling my '87 with sunroof once my '89 is off its stands - the extended hub steering wheel is a very poor solution to the problem. And I'm only 6'2 - can't see how people taller than me can live with a sunroof at all..
Luckily I found another manual '87 with no sunroof.. its on a boat at the moment heading to Australia
Just 29 NA GTS were made without M570 rear AC option. All of them has C36 Canada country option.
Only 278 ROW GTS were made with M570 option.
So all the US GTS's had the rear A/C option. The book I have says it comes with the car automatically in the US. Only the Canadian bound cars required it to be special ordered. The same thing happened with A/C on the 94 turbo. All the US bound cars came with it standard and it could be ordered optional for the Canadian cars.
Most likely PCNA did this because it is not needed 90% of the year up there and they could charge additional for it if wanted.
Originally Posted by Hilton
Its about 2" - I could get a more exact measurement later, would have to go open the sunroof and measure on my '87, then measure the bits for the '89 (the headliner is out of it at the moment, so I can measure the insulation thickness, headliner thickness.
Its enough that I'll be selling my '87 with sunroof once my '89 is off its stands - the extended hub steering wheel is a very poor solution to the problem. And I'm only 6'2 - can't see how people taller than me can live with a sunroof at all..
Luckily I found another manual '87 with no sunroof.. its on a boat at the moment heading to Australia
That is a lot of head room. I am 6'1" and I can just feel the headliner That extra 2" would be nice. It would make it easier to track too.
Measuring from the top of the cassete box lid rear edge (repeatable reference point in both cars) and is roughly vertically below where my head would hit the roof
Measuring from the top of the cassete box lid rear edge (repeatable reference point in both cars) and is roughly vertically below where my head would hit the roof
Sunroof 90 GT - 26.25"
Non Sunroof 88SE - 28.25"
So 2" extra headroom with no sunroof
Wow that must feel cavernous in comparison. Thanks for measuring.
Only the Canadian bound cars required it to be special ordered. The same thing happened with A/C on the 94 turbo. All the US bound cars came with it standard and it could be ordered optional for the Canadian cars.
Most likely PCNA did this because it is not needed 90% of the year up there and they could charge additional for it if wanted.
A/C is not just for cooling!! It's the best way to defrost your windshield - even in a cold Canadian winter!!!
A/C is not just for cooling!! It's the best way to defrost your windshield - even in a cold Canadian winter!!!
LOL
Actually nothing clears a windshield faster than the hot air off the heat exchangers of an air cooled 911. A/C to clear a windshield is a water cooled thing. . little need for A/C on those cars not that it worked all that well.
The 928 has the main A/C really don't need the rear A/C although there is a lot of heat that comes off that rear window. They also have the rear window defogger so I find unless my son is in the back seat i don't use my rear A/C.
The "SUNROOF DELETE" car was no accident !!! It was actually ordered by the original owner that way, who kept it "PRISTINE" for all these years and just 18k miles until his recent death ..At the time he ordred the car,I'm sure he had noooooooooooooooooooo idea his car would be one of the rarest 928 GTS's in the US without question !! One of only 44 5 speeds produced is a good start as numbers go,but add that to the "ONLY "one made for the US with NO-Roof puts this piece where the air is really thin !!!!! WOW !!
I just saw the non sunroof GTS at German Car Day at Larz Anderson yesterday. Afshin spotted it and we swarmed the new owner who just received it the day before from Willhoit. Super nice.
Afshin/Carl - does the new owner know what he has? Would love to know the story...
I managed to see him drive it in to Larz, and then saw him drive it out - missed meeting him...
Afshin/Carl - does the new owner know what he has? Would love to know the story...
I managed to see him drive it in to Larz, and then saw him drive it out - missed meeting him...
Hey Brian,
He does know what he has now. I believe Carl educated him on how rare it is. Note that he has had several 928's in the past and regretted selling his last one (94 GTS IIRC). He was in the market for one and this and his original car popped up at the same time. He chose well IMHO.
I was just enjoying this old thread and thought I would post a picture of my GTS w/o sunroof as I will be listing if for sale very soon. It’s 1 of 389 ROW automatic examples. I imported it from Japan in 2019. At 6’5” I can tell you that the extra 2” headroom is glorious! I wish I could keep her but unfortunately circumstances will not allow for it.
06-21-2010, 04:32 PM
. little need for A/C on those cars not that it worked all that well. 
