CoachHouse

Hi everyone. I'm new to rennlist but have been a long time fan of the early 928. I finally found an early original and bought it sight unseen with only pictures as proof. Upon closer review of the factory invoice it came with it reads auto transmission -but not manual. I had the p/o take close up pictures because I questioned it was maybe custom but it looks original. Any thoughts?

CoachHouse

Here is another picture of the tunnel.

hacker-pschorr

Look up behind the clutch pedal, pull the carpet down to expose the master cylinder. In order to convert an auto to manual the firewall must be modified to add the mounting point for the master cylinder.

It will look something like this:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...h-worries.html

I would think any changes here would be noticeable unless they cut out and replaced the entire firewall.

Here is what the area looks like before / during / after a conversion done by one of our vendors:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...h-6-speed.html


On a side note, this is funny:
"The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $807"

Rob Edwards

Congratulations on scoring 0054! The window sticker is confusing- the left column doesn't mention an automatic trans, while the EPA verbiage on the right does. Your pics certainly look like it was born a 5-speed.

The top left lists the type as 928 110- I don't know what the various types are in '78, but my vote is 5-speed.

CoachHouse

Here is a picture of the clutch pedal. It looks original
Yes at $807 a year I wonder what the price of gas was in 78

CoachHouse

Thanks Rob -I've been addicted catching up with posts of your restoration. I will continue to take it all in as it is such a valuable resource getting to know the early cars in detail. I will definitely need the forums support trying to get the car running again.
Cheers,
Mike

Wisconsin Joe

What is the engine number?
It should start with M28/xx. The "xx" will tell you if it was originally a RogerBox or a real trasmission (inside joke on here).
Engine number is on the top, at the front, under the water bridge (the crossover pipe).

Firewall looks original to me.

I have a feeling that the "EPA fuel economy" thing is just boilerplate. Autos got worse mpg than manuals at that time, and 928s were made with a lot more sutos. So it may well be that they put that on every window sticker. But that's just a guess.

The Deputy

Congratulations, on your new addition.

More pictures, please. What are your immediate plans?

Brian.

CoachHouse

here are some more pictures.

The Deputy

Yours looks slightly different than this. Firewall/floor from #613, manual trans.



You can see the extra reenforcement bracket, which changes the angle of the firewall to accept the clutch master. The upper portion of the clutch master is through the floor more, too.



Just by this evidence...I'd say your car started out its life as an automatic.

Regardless, good luck with your project. Looking forward to following along.

Brian.

Hilton

This is the easiest way to tell.

M28.xx - if xx is even it was an automatic from factory.

Of course, that assumes the engine is original to the car - however the rest of the engine number should give a pretty good indication of whether its likely to be original to the car, especially for the early ones where one dedicated soul has been collecting data points and identifying a timeline for the engine vs CHassis ID series'

CoachHouse

Thanks for all the feedback. I won't be able to verify the engine until I meet up with the shipper late next week.
Yes it does differ from your pictures. Either way I'm happy that it is a manual vs auto -but I was hoping it was a factory original.
Are there any other early invoices out there that show manual transmission over auto?

jpitman2

I dont see "automatic transmission" on the invoice, just "automatic speed control" which is Cruise control.....On my Factory invoice the roger box is option 249. Yours is a Dealer invoice, NOT a Factory invoice.

jp 83 Euro S AT 56k

928FIXER

Not to hijack this thread,but who is the person that is collecting the early engine info?
I have a early build engine that has never been is a car that I am trying to figure out its history.

CoachHouse

Well finally made it past customs 4200miles later-now back home safe and sound with the 928. Keys locked in the car but was able to open the rear hatch. Pretty rough I'm a little disappointed I fell hard for this one -the sun really baked the interior and exterior. On the bright side there is no rust. Big job lies ahead for me oh well - I'm grateful for all of the extensive knowledge of the members here and will rely on it heavily in the weeks/month...years ahead.