Jadz928

For those of us who are into preserving a level of originality in these 928's, I thought it may be best to open up discussion regarding what is originality?

Porsche continually improved the 928. The first years in particular experienced a slew of running changes. Fuel delivery, transaxle, electrics, braking, etc.

TSB's for every year, like the change from aluminum to steel ball joints (makes sense).

Obviously there were changes that were more an evolution than necessity (ie. 16V to 32V or original body vs. later body). I don't think there is any serious debate to be had about throwing a 32V in an OB, and S4 body parts on an OB.

It's very common to add GTS mirrors to the later cars... even early cars.
Heck, I've seen GTS quarter humps on an OB!

Alot of us subscribe to the idea of reversible mods, or mods where only OE parts are used.

I have/had two cars with the Porkension'r, but I wouldn't install it on my #1 or #6 cars.

Seems the new trend for Porsche restorations is just as long as it looks original. Everything you can't see is wide open, in particular engine mods (Carillo rods, cams).

As you can see, this subject is pretty wide open. What is originality?

linderpat

Great question Jim. I think it is having the car be in the same configuration of components, right down to the fasteners, as it left the factory.
The exception in my book is with maintenance items, out of necessity. For instance, the plug wires need to be oem, but can be modern since sourcing originals would be impossible. Likewise with tires, oil filter, air filter, etc.
Conversely, and by way of further example, the power steering res has to be of the original type, not the modern plastic replacement. Likewise, for an early car, the metal gas cap, and so on.

AO

How about aluminum ball joints carriers? If its a show car, I think you need to stick with aluminum. If its a driver, then you need steel. But if you're looking for "concours original" then I think you have to be correct down to the fastener and zip tie (if ther was one).

Mrmerlin

wouldnt being original also include adding new parts if they were specified by the MFG like the BJs

Alan

Personally I think originality is very overated. Probably not what you want to hear...

If the car is about driving then the original intent was to make a great driving car - if simple things (like tires) can make it drive better is there a good rationale for not using the best you can find?
If there was a known safety issues (ball-joints) does it make sense not to do the factory mandated update...

Similarly the original car was the ROW (e.g. german version). Whatever compromises (e.g lighting) that were made to meet some other countries regulations are to me non-original. Hence a USA car with sealed beam lamps is an abomination forced upon Porsche by the DOT - so is it original...? My USA car has full euro lighting.

Personally I also think Porsche screwed up some things and would have eventually fixed them - and in some cases did on later models. if you can retro-fit a later feature from another 928 I think thats fine - e.g. superseeded parts - or taking to extremes even cosmetics like Aero mirrors.

Since I care little for originality in any sense - except that the goal was to make as fine a driving and luxury machine as reasonably feasible... I also think its fair to extend to things that should have been on the car and would have been if Porsche continued its development. Certainly things like keyless entry, navigation, an integrated bluetooth phone system, a wireless tire pressure monitoring system, a fix for oiling issues etc

Originality is however you describe it and can be lots of things. To me anything I do to the car has to be well done - and fully "in keeping" with the look and feel of the car. So lots of things I wouldn't do - but lots of things I would...and have.

Alan

Ducman82

for me originality is "porsche" at heart. i could have gone with a chevy swap for cheap power, but i decided on the Hybrid build to keep the engine porsche. later style upgrades are good too.

Mike Frye

For me an 'all-original' car means matching numbers and everything exactly as it left the factory*


*plus any TSBs that have been issued on that MY.

If it has anything from another model year or *gasp* aftermarket parts or parts from another type of car entirely, including the wheels, it's modified and no longer 'original'.

jeff spahn

I agree with Alan. I care little for originality other than the body shape. If I can modify the interior to make it more in line with what is in super cars today, that's fine by me. Original engine, sure, as long as I can get parts at a reasonable cost. If not, yank the engine and put in a vette engine where parts will be available for a long, long time.

WallyP

If you want to know how far concours nuts go, you can buy books that will tell you where the factory overspray falls for undercoating on the bottom of a '55 Chevy.

It will be many years before anyone tries for a 100-point 928...

bronto

"Original" means identical to what it was on the showroom floor. All the other things listed here may be good things, but they aren't "original".

tilac999

OEM is best and originality pays big dividends come time to sell, if you must.

Marine Blue

I think it depends on context.

In Concours I seriously doubt a judge would dock you for having the steel ball joint instead of the original aluminum if Porsche recommended the change and it was necessary for safe operation. Same applies for any other faulty parts. If a part is no longer available judges will give the highest score to those that have restored the original part and then to those who used a replacement with nearly the same appearance and function. A judge will never know if your engine is modified internally unless you disclose it. Most judges are going to look at the paint condition, trim condition, wheel condition, various fasteners etc to make sure it matches what left the factory. Same with the interior.

If you're selling the car to a collector looking for something original then the engine modifications could become a problem.

Personally I always prefer to make reversible changes to my cars so that resale is not affected. Another reason for reversible changes is that I may want to revert back to factory depending on my mood and if I decide to show the car in concours.

If the car wasn't rare I probably wouldn't care about originality as much and would not worry about the minor loss at resale, just enjoy it and do what you want to it!

Randy V

Porsche specified BJs!?

Nice.

How do I get mine?

Rob Edwards

Agree with Bronto's definition. Anything else just isn't original. I'd point to the 312-ish mile '89GT as the poster child for 'original'.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-for-sale.html

That said, I am looking forward to seeing #1 and #6 put back to their as-new condition. There are many highly desirable collectible cars that look factory-fresh (and even better than factory, or 'over-restored') that were utter basket cases at one point in their All of the early pre-production variations in pieces on #1 and 6 make them even more interesting, to me.

Blue 82 is another car I would consider to be original, down to the tires. (Yes, I know, it has an aftermarket stereo in it..)

My '90 GT will never be 'original', after 100+K miles, but at some point I'm going to Kermit-ize it with the goal of it looking showroom original. Except for the cosmoline, of course.

I wonder whether there are any other sub-1K mile time capsules out there?

brutus

Original calls for the correct size tires. Some people even replicate the paint pencil check marks of the factory Quality Control Inspectors under the hood of full restorations. People get real obsessive about show cars real quickly !
So to be original it needs to be as it was built at the factory and errors mistakes in design should still be retained as part of it's history. Because if it is a serious concours car it is ONLY going to be driven into and out of the enclosed trailer and safety issues do not matter.