LIKE NEW All-original 944 S!, Sold 924 Turbo, friend Rick found this...... Options

[Gatornapper]

Dear 14'er friends -

I have not been intentionally absent, and have lurked here from time-to-time, but for the last year I've been thoroughly occupied restoring the '80 924 Turbo I announced here a year ago. I'd post on that thread - but I can't find it. You all were very kind to receive my announcement about finding & working on the 931 (as Porscheophiles know the 924 Turbo) and graciously received it.

That thread has since disappeared - somewhere. So I'm starting over - with a new Porsche!

I bought the 931 as a fun project and challenge as I'd never worked on CIS, but got the car running like new in 2 months. What a hoot to drive! LOVE a transaxle car as much as my mid-engine 914.

When I got the 931 mostly restored & running like new, my 914 friend Rick (Rickb45 here I think) would take his '85 944 out with me in my 931 and we'd thrash them together on super-twisty country roads - then swap cars. What a hoot!

But guess what happened along the way? I fell in love with his 944 - the neutral handling & balance is amazing. I'd take Rick's 944 in the straights - but his 944 would shame me in the corners. So I found myself changing my original plan - I decided to sell the 931 and find a 951 - 944 Turbo.

After months of searching I found the one I wanted in Albany, NY and was about to buy plane tickets to go get it when Rick - in vacation in Italy - sends me an ad for a mint unrestored, all-original 944 S in Columbus, OH. He noted how I'd really be better of with an NA engine and all the nice features of the DOHC 16valve 2.5L engine in the S.

I contacted the seller who had had the car for 19 years - first call - and finding it needed almost nothing & had all maintenance records back to 1993 & some since new - I had a deal.

I flew to Columbus (studied a short time at OSU in '70) and when the owner drove up at the airport my jaw dropped.

The car looked brand new! Far better than I was expecting. And the paint is original! Waxed & buffed to a high gloss! I got in it - the interior looks like a new car. WHERE is the 35 years wear and aging? Not to be seen.

Riding with owner to the bank, the car rides like a new car! How is this possible! The car has OVER 150,000 MILES ON IT!

On the 500 mile drive home I almost broke my mouth with a frozen ear-to-ear grin. This car is a miracle. It drives, runs, handles, shifts, rides like new, and is a quiet as a new car. In my 77 years I've never known a car like this even 20 years old, let alone 35.

For 35 years every owner has done every proper maintenance & repair. Almost everything is new...brakes, tires, timing belt, water pump, clutch (racing). & all the documentation came with the car.

Always garaged, the PO wouldn't even take it out in the winter. He told me it didn't use oil, or leak. It's true. I've put 2500 miles on the car and oil has not dropped at all.

I have been too busy thoroughly enjoying this car to be on this great site.

The original "Phone Dial" 15 x 7 wheels are on the car. But tomorrow 225/45R17's go on the front and 255/40R17's go on the rear on chromed 993 Cup II wheels - 7" front, 9" rear. Rick found the wheels for me for $100 each!

Highway or twisties, the 944 S handles like a dream and will do so even better after tomorrow.

I don't think one could find a car like this looking for years - I consider it a gift and a miracle. And want to share my joy with all of you.

And I'll keep y'all posted on my engine and tranny rebuild and the new paint on the 914.

GN

PS: To add to all this, I paid $1,500 more for the 944 S than I sold the 924 Turbo for.........and am sure I could sell it for 6k more than I paid - but I'm keeping this car as long as I live!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1669863100.1.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1669863100.2.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1669863100.3.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1669863100.4.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1669863100.5.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1669863100.6.jpeg)

[campbellcj]

Nice score! I've had a low-level hankering for a transaxle car for a really long time - a (new) 944 was the first Porsche I ever drove, as a teenager. Love the styling and the handling is tops. If I weren't in Calif I very likely would've bought a 951 years ago. I do kinda like the phone dials on the early 928s.

[Gatornapper]

Last week friend Rick found me incredible 17" 993 Cup II wheels in 7" & 9" that had been nicely chromed (I love chrome inspite of what Porscheophiles think) and last night had Riken Raptors put on in 225/45R17 front and 255/40R17 rear (just 10mm less than my Cayman S wide).

Noticeable improvement in handling from wider grip and lower aspect ratio tires AND at the same time a great improvement in looks (sorry, not a phone dial fan).

This car just moved from being great to being incredible.....and now it is ME and not the PO!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1670117856.1.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1670117857.2.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/hosting.photobucket.com-21449-1670117857.3.JPG)





Could not be a happier 44'er.........

GN
_________

[carr914]

I've had an '84 944, a '88 951 with a LS Motor and my current '89 S2

with 914s going Up & Up in price, a 944 is a Great alternative

[Gatornapper]

Best of both worlds is a 914 AND a 944!

And I love your wheels on each of the cars above. My friend Rick's has the ones on the white one on top and I wanted those first. But the offset changed big time between the 944.1 and 944.2. I could get the wheels but at about $750 each and the look is completely different as deep dish cannot be had with new offset.

I also loved your gold ones but heard too many Porscheophiles would complain.

Would have liked an S2 but golly! Outa my budget.....nice one you have. No question the ultimate 944. NICE!

GN

[mb911]

Here is my oldest son’s with turbo twists that I got free off of the bird board. I like your cup wheels as well.

[Gatornapper]

SWEET Ben! Brown interior? Mine is tan. Love it but would have liked darker leather a bit more.

BTW, re my 914 being restored in original paint Malaga Red as we speak - friend found me an original brown 914 interior in very good condition that I'm putting in after paint - even door cards - wanted to wait on posting that until I got it in - will be in spring most likely.

GN