1 week in and the first FTP - Gold 1984 Porsche 944 Lux

[S2000]

  On 25/03/2025 at 13:42, Verysleepyboy said:

Looks like we have a winner!!!!!!

1984 Porsche 944 in "Oldmangold"!

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I look forward to my prize

Nice choice, always wanted a 44 or 68 but never got round to it...

[Verysleepyboy]

Think it is time for some photos!

It's a 1984 Porsche 944 Lux 2.5 NA in a delightful shade of Oldmangold (think it is R6 Light Bronze Metallic) - a very 80's hue! After selling the TT, I had a gap on the drive for another toy and an itch to scratch for a transaxle Porsche. Budget wasn't going to stretch to a top quality one, but I wanted one I could get into straightaway and use, allowing me to tidy it up as I went along. 

The preference was for a 924S - I like the narrow body look with the Porsche engine, but it was more about finding the right quality car rather than a specific model. Saw a few come and go on eBay and Marketplace,  generally up in locations where it wasn't possible to go and view before committing. Saw some other visually nice examples more locally, but when on looking closer spotted the missing pedal and the auto gearstick which was a no-no for me.

Then a early dash 944 in Milton Keynes came up for sale on eBay - only half an hour away and read decent on the advert  I went down, had a look and a drive, noted down the good and bad points and in my head came up with a maximum price I was willing to pay.  Come the end of the auction, I had made my bid and slightly surprising to me, I had managed to win myself a 1984 Porsche 944!!

The seller even drove it up to me to deliver it in exchange for a lift home, which was helpful! 

Good points:

• Road tax free from today! MOT exempt, although I will continue to get it tested for peace of mind. and cheap insurance (£160 fully comp, low excess, 3000 miles)
• Structurally appears sound so has almost certainly has had work done previously,
• New tyres and refurbed Cup2 wheels - would prefer original Fuchs or Cookie Cutters but can't complain too much
• Mechanically decent - has replacement gearbox and full service done recently, no fluid leaks apart from a slight weep from the power steering reservoir, drives really well considering it has been lowered
• Interior is a 6/10 - all there and all works, but needs tidying up
• Big history file of receipts over the last 25 years which backs up the mileage claim of c. 130k

Less good points:

• The colour isn't one I would have chosen - but it is of period and kind of suits the car!
• Paint is badly lacquer peeled on one side and the bonnet is faded/poor. Minor scuffs and a crack on the bumper but it is all there.
• Front seats split between bolster and base and need repairs
• Rear seat latches are missing so it lies flat all the time.
• Hatch struts missing for some reason
• Dashboard is presumably badly cracked and has a tasteful (not) piece of carpet glued over it!
• Cold start is rough and lumpy but clears fairly quickly to a smooth idle
• Heaters blow hot all the time! Probably the heater control valve broken which should be an easy fix.

Not sure yet what the plan is - I'll get the logbook changed to Historic as a priority and tidy up the cosmetic stuff including fixing the heater control valve before getting out to drive it as much as possible. Almost certainly it will have a few trips up the 1/4 mile - but not expecting anything rapid!

As and when I do stuff, I'll try to keep this page updated for all you 80's Porsche lickers out there!!

[Verysleepyboy]

How do I change the topic title btw? - probably something simple I have missed but can't seem to work it out

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 10:05, Verysleepyboy said:

How do I change the topic title btw? - probably something simple I have missed but can't seem to work it out

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Found and sorted it!

[Peter C]

You will have to wait until 1st January 2026 to apply for a historic vehicle V5 and register the car for tax and MoT exemptions.

[Peter C]

PS - cool car!

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 10:27, Peter C said:

You will have to wait until 1st January 2026 to apply for a historic vehicle V5 and register the car for tax and MoT exemptions.

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Really? Built 1984, registered August 1984 so thought should be eligible for historic status by now?

That's frustrating but not a show stopper I guess.

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 10:28, Peter C said:

PS - cool car!

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Thank you!

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 10:30, Verysleepyboy said:

Really? Built 1984, registered August 1984 so thought should be eligible for historic status by now?

That's frustrating but not a show stopper I guess.

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I was working on this from the DVLA website:

[dave j]

Nice! I was looking for a 924 or 944 last year but couldnt find anything within my tiny budget! When I get bored of my Audi coupe I Might look at getting one next

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 10:34, dave j said:

Nice! I was looking for a 924 or 944 last year but couldnt find anything within my tiny budget! When I get bored of my Audi coupe I Might look at getting one next

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Prices are definitely rising on these now, a complete MOTd 924/944 can cost anywhere from £1.5k to well over £20k and it isn't always easy to see the difference in value!!

Trim parts are getting expensive as well - early dashboards, seats, switches etc. in good condition are becoming scarce or having the Porsche tax applied to them.

I'll see how I get on with this one - might not gel with it and so would look to move it on / swap for the next toy!

[Peter C]

  On 01/04/2025 at 10:30, Verysleepyboy said:

Really? Built 1984, registered August 1984 so thought should be eligible for historic status by now?

That's frustrating but not a show stopper I guess.

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If registered August 1984 then it can be made exempt now. I understood from your post that the car was registered in 1985.

My Mercedes W123 was registered 40 years ago today but I need to wait until January to reregister it.

[motorpunk]

Very nice. Colour is wonderful! Are those Cup2 wheels? Need spacing out a bit. I miss my 968. Never raced or rallied… ahem.

[Peter C]

924s can be sexy too.

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 11:28, Peter C said:

If registered August 1984 then it can be made exempt now. I understood from your post that the car was registered in 1985.

My Mercedes W123 was registered 40 years ago today but I need to wait until January to reregister it.

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Just been down to the post office to get the reclassification done!!!!

[grogee]

  On 01/04/2025 at 09:59, Verysleepyboy said:

Cold start is rough and lumpy but clears fairly quickly to a smooth idle

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F'ing K-JET! 

Drove a 924 which did exactly this, also it would stall with the slightest throttle application when cold. 

[motorpunk]

This thing beat us at Lemons in 23. Bloody awesome car

[Cento16v]

Same colour one of my 924's was, looks lovely in the sun, and very 80's.

[dome]

I've had 2 square dash 944s (and an S2-a completely different beast) and I rate these as one of the sweetest handling cars on a back road. 

I always swapped out the steering wheel, I'm 6ft tall and the standard wheel got in the way a bit, plus they're off centred🤦‍♂️

A smaller aftermarket one makes a big difference 

Interiors on these don't wear well sadly. 

Hope you have a quiet torque tube and many happy miles👌

[Marina door handles]

I have a soft spot for 944s I owned one for 6 years as my only car. It was a great machine, semi practical thanks to that hatchback and it took me to various driving meets and a few track days. I hope you enjoy yours.

 

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 17:37, grogee said:

F'ing K-JET! 

Drove a 924 which did exactly this, also it would stall with the slightest throttle application when cold. 

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Not quite that bad, but certainly overly lumpy / over fuelling at cold. 
Another one on the "to-do" list!

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 19:12, Cento16v said:

Same colour one of my 924's was, looks lovely in the sun, and very 80's.

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Very 80's indeed - kind of suits the car and at least it isn't the usual Guards Pink Red that many of these cars seem to be!

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 20:46, dome said:

I've had 2 square dash 944s (and an S2-a completely different beast) and I rate these as one of the sweetest handling cars on a back road. 

I always swapped out the steering wheel, I'm 6ft tall and the standard wheel got in the way a bit, plus they're off centred🤦‍♂️

A smaller aftermarket one makes a big difference 

Interiors on these don't wear well sadly. 

Hope you have a quiet torque tube and many happy miles👌

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I'll look into the steering wheel - its a really odd driving position with a non adjustable column as well.

Torque tube is mostly pretty quiet, certainly much better than other cars I looked at 😀

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 21:51, Marina door handles said:

I have a soft spot for 944s I owned one for 6 years as my only car. It was a great machine, semi practical thanks to that hatchback and it took me to various driving meets and a few track days. I hope you enjoy yours.

 

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Hope so too - driven it to work today and am really impressed how well it drives, especially considering how much lower it is than standard!!!

[Verysleepyboy]

  On 01/04/2025 at 11:55, motorpunk said:

Very nice. Colour is wonderful! Are those Cup2 wheels? Need spacing out a bit. I miss my 968. Never raced or rallied… ahem.

 

 

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Love that 968 - prices for those are a bit silly right now though!

Apparently Cup2 wheels - wouldn't have been my personal choice, prefer the Fuchs or Cookie Cutter but they look ok and they are already on spacers. I think the offset isn't really ideal for the 944 but it does drive pretty well with no tramlining or pulling

[Volksy]

  On 02/04/2025 at 11:28, Verysleepyboy said:

Not quite that bad, but certainly overly lumpy / over fuelling at cold. 
Another one on the "to-do" list!

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I didn't know these ran K-Jet. 

Could possibly just be slightly worn injectors, which I think are pretty cheap replace. I have learnt a fair bit about KE-Jet over the last year. 

I'd certainly be running it on E5 though. 

[Steviemillar]

  On 02/04/2025 at 11:53, Volksy said:

I didn't know these ran K-Jet. 

Could possibly just be slightly worn injectors, which I think are pretty cheap replace. I have learnt a fair bit about KE-Jet over the last year. 

I'd certainly be running it on E5 though. 

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Second recommendation for injectors, I have found as a long-time K-Jet equipped Capri 2.8I owner that leaky injectors and cheap/old fuel pumps do make a difference to starting, the latter in particular.

[dome]

I thought these were L jet or even Mo(t)ronic but my memory is hazy.

@Verysleepyboyi may have an aftermarket boss somewhere if you're interested. Let me know and I'll have a dig.

[barefoot]

  On 02/04/2025 at 11:34, Verysleepyboy said:

Apparently Cup2 wheels - wouldn't have been my personal choice, prefer the Fuchs or Cookie Cutter but they look ok and they are already on spacers. I think the offset isn't really ideal for the 944 but it does drive pretty well with no tramlining or pulling

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I seem to remember that early and late 944 have different offset and they're L Jet.

 

Here's mine, an '87 944S - the fragile one! Owned for more than 30 years with over 300k on the clock. All original, it is fucking not.

[captain_cal]

  On 02/04/2025 at 11:34, Verysleepyboy said:

prefer the Fuchs or Cookie Cutter

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I have a set of cookies sat around doing nothing, but I'm in deepest darkest Cornwall.

Also I always thought all 944s were Motronic, and also mine was a fucker for idling when cold but I understand there's an idle control valve somewhere, which I never bothered to investigate as I lived at the bottom of a big hill and after a minute of climbing it was fine,

The cookies came off of this, a Feb 85 car in Kalahari Beige:

This is my current victim, looks like there is a secret society of transaxle perverts crawling out of the woodwork around here.