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'77 ('78) Porsche 928, "Number Six", Preproduction Press Car (Updated 3-18-13)

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Old 12-26-2010, 11:26 PM
  #256  
Jadz928
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Originally Posted by Nicole
That's not only not common, that's near impossible. Or should I say unrealistic?

Once a local German Zulassungsstelle assigned a license plate to a VIN, that plate could not be changed until the car was registered in a different region. How likely would it be for Porsche to register a car in Stuttgart (where the factory is) then somewhere else (e.g. Böblingen county, where Weissach is), and then register it in Stuttgart again? Why would they go through this hassle within a few months?
Thanks Nicole!
Now it's still possible the red Geneva show car was one of the 11 preproduction press cars, but it's not any of the ones I've documented within the S-CX 21xx license series.
FWIW, within that series, I count 10. So it's possible the red Geneva show car was one of the 11, but remained unregistered prior to the show.
Note: S-CX 2139 & S-CX 2142 are license numbers currently unaccounted for. It is possible these were never assigned to a 928.

EDIT: found all 11 preproduction press cars, the Geneva car was not one of them

Last edited by Jadz928; 01-05-2011 at 07:43 PM. Reason: new info
Old 12-27-2010, 12:30 AM
  #257  
Nicole
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Originally Posted by Jadz928
Thanks Nicole!
Now it's still possible the red Geneva show car was one of the 11 preproduction press cars, but it's not any of the ones I've documented within the S-CX 21xx license series.
FWIW, within that series, I count 10. So it's possible the red Geneva show car was one of the 11, but remained unregistered prior to the show.
Note: S-CX 2139 & S-CX 2142 are license numbers currently unaccounted for. It is possible these were never assigned to a 928.
Hi Jim:

It would make sense that the Geneva car wasn't registered - why would you register a show car that you want to keep looking perfect, like new, without dirt or chips? I would think this was a "Marketing car" that was possibly shown around at more events, or photographed, before it was registered.

In regards to sequential numbers missing - I don't think Porsche had S-CX reserved for itself. So it's entirely possible that someone from Porsche went to the Zulassungsstelle one day and registered 9 or 10 cars, then the next person in line got the next number. Or that number was used for a 911 that was registered on the same day.

It's really hard to trace this back, unless you happen to find the person who did it. And then this gentleman must still be alive and remember the details of this day...

It's a detail that's probably not too crucial to the value of yours, though.
Old 12-27-2010, 01:26 AM
  #258  
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Originally Posted by pcar928fan
^^^^^
That is not black/white? Looks like it on my computer screen... Glad you have it covered!
James, the white in the pascha material is unmistakable. So white it blinds your eyes. You can't see any trace of gray or brown in it, unlike what's above.
Old 01-03-2011, 10:36 AM
  #259  
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Default Update: All 11 press cars identified

I've now confirmed the existence of all 11 pre-production press cars.
I'd kept track of my research in Post #4, which is currently up-to-date.

It appears all 11 were present at the press launch, late February '77.

The reason this is noteworthy to me is because it closes one chapter in my reasearch.

Special thanks to Leonard Turner for helping me identify the last two. Thanks!

Last edited by Jadz928; 01-03-2011 at 12:58 PM. Reason: spelling
Old 01-03-2011, 02:26 PM
  #260  
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Jim,

GOOD WORK!!! With all your documentation and saving of #6 this is really going to be a collector car of the first order!
Old 01-04-2011, 06:47 PM
  #261  
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Default Press Kit

Originally Posted by Jadz928
Santa was good to me this year with this 928 press kit.
This was given to all the journalists at the press launch and by the press department (public relations).
It's really comprehensive! There's a ton of real B&W photos & graphs.
I will scan it all in when I have a chance, and post it here.

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for all your support and encouragement on this project!

Alright, finally had a chance to scan the press kit.
This is a great read, especially for those just learning about 928's!

Download here (5.5meg)

Last edited by Jadz928; 02-03-2012 at 05:42 PM. Reason: updated file
Old 01-04-2011, 07:54 PM
  #262  
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Great piece of history to add to the file.
Thanks for sharing.
Old 01-04-2011, 11:25 PM
  #263  
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Originally Posted by jpNcos
Great piece of history to add to the file.
Thanks for sharing.
+ 928
Old 01-05-2011, 02:04 PM
  #264  
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Default Press Launch Photos from Leonard Turner

I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk with Leonard Turner (Panorama, Chief Photographer) about his experience at the 928 press launch, 1977.

This was Pano's first European Porsche press launch, and the April '77 Pano (Post #195) cover was one of the few wrap-around covers ever produced!

Hi, Jim,
I remember the 928 intro well--we were still pretty new in the business, and this was our first European press introduction. It even seemed that this type of activity was new for Porsche; when I went down early the first morning to get some soft-light photography done, the cars weren't even washed! I took matters into my own hands, and believe that I may well have been the first American to wash a 928.

All of the photography in the magazine was done around the Mas d'Artigny; our cover shot of the silver car was just down the road a bit, but probably still on hotel property. One of the few wrap-around covers that has ever graced the magazine. There were at least 4 different color cars there: silver, white, red, and a rather dark teal color. A lot of the interior shots were of a red car, but the cover car was silver, although the reflection of the blue French sky made it look somewhat blue-ish. We actually got a request for the color code from a dealer who had a customer wanting a car in that shade of blue.

Joe was there for R&T, and we became quite good friends. (As you may know, he is now on the Pano masthead as well). He took the teal car down by a river for photography during a lunch break (I think John Lamm may have been shooting for them as well) and bent a little something, much to his embarrassment, but the Porsche reps were unconcerned.

Porsche continued to use the Mas d'Artigny for numerous subsequent new car launches until the 964 Turbo event when a half dozen cars were stolen at the hotel. I believe they felt it was an inside job, and never went back.

Best regards,
Leonard Turner

He has gracious shared the following photos from the launch. Thank you sir!
















Last edited by Jadz928; 02-03-2012 at 05:44 PM.
Old 01-05-2011, 02:37 PM
  #265  
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cool pictures, what it must have felt like to drive one of the new Big Porsches.
With everything working and the fresh smells of the interior
Old 01-05-2011, 08:17 PM
  #266  
Chuck Z
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I built a page dedicated to Jim's project and with his permission I posting the link here:

Jim's # 6 restoration page

I've taken the information from this thread posted by Jim and others and put it on one page. There are a couple things yet to be added and a couple revisions. I'm sure Jim will have more input as his project progresses.

There is also a direct link on my front page yet to be titled.
Old 01-05-2011, 10:02 PM
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GOOD WORK CHUCK! This car deserves it FOR SURE!

LOVE that brown with the tan or off white op art interior! SO NICE!
Old 01-06-2011, 08:08 AM
  #268  
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Originally Posted by Chuck Z
I built a page dedicated to Jim's project and with his permission I posting the link here:

Jim's # 6 restoration page

I've taken the information from this thread posted by Jim and others and put it on one page. There are a couple things yet to be added and a couple revisions. I'm sure Jim will have more input as his project progresses.

There is also a direct link on my front page yet to be titled.
Chuck, that looks fantastic! Thank you!
I'll send ya whatever else I have that I haven't published here.
This is perfect timing...

Things will go pretty quiet on my end as I've suspended research.
Will be in Michigan freezin' my butt off, for my bro's wedding.
I have a couple exra days up there the inspect the car.

In the meantime, if anyone runs across some of those pricey rubber and plastic bits, new or NOS, drop me a line. Thanks!

Last edited by Jadz928; 01-06-2011 at 07:41 PM. Reason: travel date change
Old 01-06-2011, 10:07 AM
  #269  
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This is fantastic. Outstanding idea Chuck; this car deserves its own place on the Registry for sure. Also, as I read Brian Long's 928 book, I can't help but to think you too have a book in you Jim about this car!
Old 01-12-2011, 09:54 AM
  #270  
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Default Looks like there were 12....

I had no visual confirmation of S-CX 2143 at the press launch... until now.
John Rettie (great guy!) was there, and wrote an article for Hot VW, Aug '77.

Editorial note: I know this may appear to be minutia, and it is.
But Porsche said there were 10, Brian Long said there were 11. Looks like there were 12.

PS. John said he will dig thru his negatives to see what he can find!




Originally Posted by Jadz928
I've now confirmed the existence of all 11 pre-production press cars.
I'd kept track of my research in Post #4, which is currently up-to-date.

It appears all 11 were present at the press launch, late February '77.

The reason this is noteworthy to me is because it closes one chapter in my reasearch.

Special thanks to Leonard Turner for helping me identify the last two. Thanks!

Last edited by Jadz928; 02-03-2012 at 05:45 PM.


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