Early Porsche 928 restoration - "Number One", Preproduction Press Car (#1RC)
10-05-2013, 08:21 AM
#152
Drifting
Yes, agree with pablo this sure is exciting.
I wouldn't do anything but change oil in my other vehicles until #1 was
back on the road.
Now that the Panamera is such a hit, lots of mention in Porsche mags of the 928 as a precursor to it.
Wonder if Porsche would have more interest in this car than some think.
I think they would.
If I owned numero uno, I'd get her on the road, doing the fender as best i could to match the rest of the 'patina' and offer the car to Porsche.
Most car companies want to buy back cars such as these. I know this must have been discussed at length)
But I think now with all the water cooled V8 powered models, this car proves that Porsche wanted to be where they are now 35 years ago.
If a fair deal could be had for #1,(6 figures basically as is) I'd sell in a heart beat and use the cash to buy gifts for family and friends and restore #6. Love Old Red!
Let Porsche restore #1, and put her in the museum to be enjoyed by all.
I wouldn't do anything but change oil in my other vehicles until #1 was
back on the road.
Now that the Panamera is such a hit, lots of mention in Porsche mags of the 928 as a precursor to it.
Wonder if Porsche would have more interest in this car than some think.
I think they would.
If I owned numero uno, I'd get her on the road, doing the fender as best i could to match the rest of the 'patina' and offer the car to Porsche.
Most car companies want to buy back cars such as these. I know this must have been discussed at length)
But I think now with all the water cooled V8 powered models, this car proves that Porsche wanted to be where they are now 35 years ago.
If a fair deal could be had for #1,(6 figures basically as is) I'd sell in a heart beat and use the cash to buy gifts for family and friends and restore #6. Love Old Red!
Let Porsche restore #1, and put her in the museum to be enjoyed by all.
Last edited by The Fixer; 10-05-2013 at 08:40 AM.
10-05-2013, 10:26 AM
#153
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I appreciate your sentiment, Matt... and Pablo's boner too. errrr. 
A part of 928 Classics, and a huge reason for it, is to someday allow the opportunity to give mama 928 what she deserves... however that may play out.
So I'm focused now on what serves the better end.
The Porsche Museum already expressed interest and made an offer - an offer more on par with a typical old 928 on Ebay DE.
The whole thing had me scratching my head. And the way it played out left me thinking they weren't prepared for or appreciative of her significance.
See, I'm this old girls' custodian. And I can't just let 'er go out with any old dude that comes to the door with a pack of smokes and boones farm.
So we'll keep pluggin' away as time permits, and get her dolled up the best we can.
Hoping to bring her to Frenzy next year, under her own power or trailered. Either way, I couldn't agree more, she needs to be seen.
A part of 928 Classics, and a huge reason for it, is to someday allow the opportunity to give mama 928 what she deserves... however that may play out.
So I'm focused now on what serves the better end.
The Porsche Museum already expressed interest and made an offer - an offer more on par with a typical old 928 on Ebay DE.
The whole thing had me scratching my head. And the way it played out left me thinking they weren't prepared for or appreciative of her significance.
See, I'm this old girls' custodian. And I can't just let 'er go out with any old dude that comes to the door with a pack of smokes and boones farm.
So we'll keep pluggin' away as time permits, and get her dolled up the best we can.
Hoping to bring her to Frenzy next year, under her own power or trailered. Either way, I couldn't agree more, she needs to be seen.
10-05-2013, 11:34 AM
#154
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Jim,
Don't ever sell that very unique car.
At least not right now and particulary not to Porsche.
They don't care anymore about the 928 so they don't deserve to get that one for sure... But that's me.
If you bring it to next year Frenzy, this will be something more to bring me there again.
Would LOVE to see that car.
Don't ever sell that very unique car.
At least not right now and particulary not to Porsche.
They don't care anymore about the 928 so they don't deserve to get that one for sure... But that's me.
If you bring it to next year Frenzy, this will be something more to bring me there again.
Would LOVE to see that car.
10-05-2013, 12:19 PM
#155
Rennlist Member
^^ +1
Looking back on 6 years obsessing over 928 cars, the best day of all was that Saturday watching Jim set eyes on the car, pay for it, and drag it up onto the trailer. Pulled it about 2 miles, then whipped into a car wash where we ran thru a couple rolls of quarters. Major excitement all day long.
Looking back on 6 years obsessing over 928 cars, the best day of all was that Saturday watching Jim set eyes on the car, pay for it, and drag it up onto the trailer. Pulled it about 2 miles, then whipped into a car wash where we ran thru a couple rolls of quarters. Major excitement all day long.
10-05-2013, 01:30 PM
#156
Drifting
Ferrari sold cars to race, Porsche raced to sell cars. That lousy offer does not surprise me and i was thinking that would be the case after my post.
I disagree with the idea that the 928 is not cared about. Absence makes the heart, you know..
I told a real 'Porsche Guy' and 30 plus year Porsche Salesmen at Don Rosen Porsche about my car and mentioned Jim's #1.
This Guy owns a Euro Carrera (name is Eric) and a 356C. He loves the cars and is a great Guy.
He's very intelligent and 'in the know' re Porsches.
When i mentioned Jim's #1 his eyes widen about a half cm. He thought it was a very big deal.
To get a good offer even from Porsche, you would need to be in a position of strength by having the car already restored.
I know Jim you do not want to do that, it's just fun and interesting to me to talk about.
I wonder how high it would go at a big auction house restored.
I'll bet a lot.
I disagree with the idea that the 928 is not cared about. Absence makes the heart, you know..
I told a real 'Porsche Guy' and 30 plus year Porsche Salesmen at Don Rosen Porsche about my car and mentioned Jim's #1.
This Guy owns a Euro Carrera (name is Eric) and a 356C. He loves the cars and is a great Guy.
He's very intelligent and 'in the know' re Porsches.
When i mentioned Jim's #1 his eyes widen about a half cm. He thought it was a very big deal.
To get a good offer even from Porsche, you would need to be in a position of strength by having the car already restored.
I know Jim you do not want to do that, it's just fun and interesting to me to talk about.
I wonder how high it would go at a big auction house restored.
I'll bet a lot.
10-05-2013, 02:33 PM
#157
Burning Brakes
subscribed.....fell in love with the 928. Always wanted one but bought a Cayenne after saving up from college graduation.
Great to see the "alpha" or beta.
Great to see the "alpha" or beta.
10-05-2013, 03:33 PM
#158
Drifting
I used to drive it thinking if only this thing was a couple thousand pounds lighter..
Good luck w the Cayenne, they do everything well and are great fun.
Be sure to do the oil changes (yourself) every 5k miles, not 10k as Porsche says.
You'll have a 928 sooner or later.
10-05-2013, 03:43 PM
#159
Rennlist Member
Ferrari sold cars to race, Porsche raced to sell cars. That lousy offer does not surprise me and i was thinking that would be the case after my post.
I disagree with the idea that the 928 is not cared about. Absence makes the heart, you know..
I told a real 'Porsche Guy' and 30 plus year Porsche Salesmen at Don Rosen Porsche about my car and mentioned Jim's #1.
This Guy owns a Euro Carrera (name is Eric) and a 356C. He loves the cars and is a great Guy.
He's very intelligent and 'in the know' re Porsches.
When i mentioned Jim's #1 his eyes widen about a half cm. He thought it was a very big deal.
To get a good offer even from Porsche, you would need to be in a position of strength by having the car already restored.
I know Jim you do not want to do that, it's just fun and interesting to me to talk about.
I wonder how high it would go at a big auction house restored.
I'll bet a lot.
I disagree with the idea that the 928 is not cared about. Absence makes the heart, you know..
I told a real 'Porsche Guy' and 30 plus year Porsche Salesmen at Don Rosen Porsche about my car and mentioned Jim's #1.
This Guy owns a Euro Carrera (name is Eric) and a 356C. He loves the cars and is a great Guy.
He's very intelligent and 'in the know' re Porsches.
When i mentioned Jim's #1 his eyes widen about a half cm. He thought it was a very big deal.
To get a good offer even from Porsche, you would need to be in a position of strength by having the car already restored.
I know Jim you do not want to do that, it's just fun and interesting to me to talk about.
I wonder how high it would go at a big auction house restored.
I'll bet a lot.
In any case, I think this could be the centerpiece of the '14 Frenzy - maybe find a place where #1, cocktails, and a talk by Jim could all happen together...
10-06-2013, 07:54 AM
#161
Rennlist Member
How many 1977 cars were actually made? There's one for sale here that claims it is registered in June 1977. The car is visually "updated" with S4 style bumpers and cupwheels. Could this be an intersting car? Asking price is EUR 6500, which is approx US$ 8500 or 9000.
Last edited by Ad0911; 10-06-2013 at 09:01 AM.
10-06-2013, 08:53 AM
#162
Drifting
Ad091, go check the VIN. Maybe.
Martin, agree somewhat but painting a white car isn't all that challenging and
in my opinion a car like this in mostly a 'preserved state' is just as enticing to a car collector.
A car collector in the heat of an auction setting may really pay for this car, speculating on it's future value.
It's a huge thread and i may have missed these answers;
Was #1 or parts of #1 used for testing years prior to the official press release?
This car is very much more 'hand made' than say Ron's #30.
I wonder if more time was spent assembling the motor?
(balancing or polishing internal part, etc..)?
Martin, agree somewhat but painting a white car isn't all that challenging and
in my opinion a car like this in mostly a 'preserved state' is just as enticing to a car collector.
A car collector in the heat of an auction setting may really pay for this car, speculating on it's future value.
It's a huge thread and i may have missed these answers;
Was #1 or parts of #1 used for testing years prior to the official press release?
This car is very much more 'hand made' than say Ron's #30.
I wonder if more time was spent assembling the motor?
(balancing or polishing internal part, etc..)?
10-06-2013, 01:02 PM
#164
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Great dialogue, everyone! 
I'm only suggesting Porsche has yet to look back and really identify with the significance of the 928's history.
Porsche people on the other hand are a completely different story.
I believe the position of strength lies in appreciating what the car is, and was.
Everything else holds much less value to me. Like, how a seller would be more willing to sell his baby at a fair price to an enthusiastic buyer - when he/she knows the car will be taken care of.
Thank you for checking in! Yea, the mamas and the papas...
Sounds like fun to me! 
She's got a good home now, but thanks for the offer!
Somewhere around 1000 in '77. June is an early registration, check the VIN and report back.
I'm really following the rising value of the 'preservation' collectors market.
It seems that collector's interests are changing from 'restored' to 'preserved'.
This philosophy appeals to me on many levels, and makes sense. I believe we are seeing a change from cars being appreciated not only as a hobby, but also as art - which they are.
My #6 preservation restoration in my best attempt to serve this preservation philosophy, and apply it to an important 928.
Too, this may be the right approach for #1. It's just going to take more time and experience to wrap my brain around how to apply it.
Great topic, Matt!
I believe it was purpose-built for press duty. It may have seen use and testing by Weissach afterward, however. I'm sure #6 was, as it has some 'advanced production' characteristics. In comparison, #1 seems a little less 'untouched'.
They are both VERY handmade, and built off the production line.
These press cars were built using and evaluated for production techniques, before the production line was launched.
I was trying to figure out where they might have been built at Werk II...
Based on my research, I suspect they used the 'end of the production line' garage. See photos (thank you Dan Lindsay).
During production, it was used for final tweaks following a road test, before being stored outside awaiting shipment.
This garage section would have be available before production started, making it a likely choice. Just enough room for about 10-12 press cars.
Porsche people on the other hand are a completely different story.
Everything else holds much less value to me. Like, how a seller would be more willing to sell his baby at a fair price to an enthusiastic buyer - when he/she knows the car will be taken care of.
Thank you for checking in! Yea, the mamas and the papas...
It seems that collector's interests are changing from 'restored' to 'preserved'.
This philosophy appeals to me on many levels, and makes sense. I believe we are seeing a change from cars being appreciated not only as a hobby, but also as art - which they are.
My #6 preservation restoration in my best attempt to serve this preservation philosophy, and apply it to an important 928.
Too, this may be the right approach for #1. It's just going to take more time and experience to wrap my brain around how to apply it.
Great topic, Matt!
They are both VERY handmade, and built off the production line.
These press cars were built using and evaluated for production techniques, before the production line was launched.
I was trying to figure out where they might have been built at Werk II...
Based on my research, I suspect they used the 'end of the production line' garage. See photos (thank you Dan Lindsay).
During production, it was used for final tweaks following a road test, before being stored outside awaiting shipment.
This garage section would have be available before production started, making it a likely choice. Just enough room for about 10-12 press cars.
Last edited by Jadz928; 10-06-2013 at 04:45 PM.