1983 Porsche 944 - Manual Steering - Recent Timing Belt - Fuchs Wheels - April

1983 Porsche 944 Description

I purchased this car, almost on a whim, at an estate auction in late May. I lucked out, got service records (got 6 years of photocopies) from the local Foreign Car Legend - Worthington's Beaver Creek. The car passed MD Inspection, was blessed as road worthy by Roger Worthington, and had it's timing belt/water pump changed 5K miles (2 years) ago.
I fixed some small things, including new hood hydraulics, new wipers, adjusting headlights, replacing hatch and rear tail light gaskets. Also installed improved accelerator cam. Battery, starter, alternator and tires are all relatively new. I removed the plastic DASH cover to expose cracks, but you can reinstall. Also have NEW three piece bra and matching mirror covers.
Positives:
1. This is an early car. 1983 with Manual Steering.
2. Car has a 5 digit odometer, I am the third owner. Owner 1 from 1983-1990, Owner 2 from 1990 to May 2017. Based on paperwork in the car, and some anecdotal evidence, car has 117K Original Miles, with full timing belt performed at 113K. I made a mistake trying to get DMV to log the ACTUAL Mileage, but rookie mistake, it produced a "beyond mechanical limits" ding on the Carfax report. THERE IS NO ODOMETER PROBLEM WITH CAR, have paper trail to show one roll over of 5 digit odometer.
3. Car accelerates, shifts and brakes as it should. The gears are "just a delight" although I feel like the clutch travels a long distance before it bites. Hand brake works.
4. All the rubber is in fair condition. It has been stored under a carport (but exposed to sun) since 1990, so I do expect it will begin perishing soon. I replaced hatch gasket and tail light gaskets, so NO current leaks.
5. Not a SINGLE drip in my driveway although there is oil and grease on the undercarriage
6. The car is unmolested, the cloth seats are near perfect and the original carpets are decent. (Some patches of wear). Includes original manuals, tools and 6 years of service records.
Negatives:
1. The car had a partial respray in 1999 and panels have not aged at the same rate. I think it has had a fender bender so there must be a little bondo, also the chip protection is showing signs of wear. The body work is mostly straight. It has two small dents in the hood, some dents to rocker panels, and rear bumper sides do not line up perfectly. The car looks great from 20 feet, but up close you can see the many small chips so it's just "good". THERE IS NO TITLE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I think guy took an insurance payout, then did the repair work, but best I can tell, the car was never TOTALED except for insurance purposes.
2. I replaced the rear hatch gasket which is very "puffy". Hatch requires a firm "slam" for both latches to catch.
3. Original Radio is gone, Nice Pioneer Single CD in it's place, fits well. Antenna works.
4. I have done NO work cleaning or looking carefully at the undercarriage/suspension. She tracks straight and corners well, but could benefit from some suspension work (I think).
5. Cabin smells of fuel after a fillup, I have just been filling 3/4 tanks since and no issues. (This may be a KNOWN engineering defect)
6. I would like to keep the car, but it is a little too small for me. I buy & sell stuff for a living and as she sits, I'm in the black, but one major repair and.... I am hoping to find someone who would cherish the manual steering for use on the race track.
This car is an inexpensive weekend driver ( It really should be worth more). Everything is tended to, you can jump in her and go, but after a few thousand miles, the age of the components will catch up to you...not well suited to a college bound teenager or a daily driver that sits in traffic.
I am available for on site inspection almost ANY time. I have jack stands and a jack if you want to send a mechanic.