Who’s up for a project Porsche? Anyone? Hello? The Porsche 944 came after the 924 and front-engine, water-cooled Porsches were never too popular with the dyed-in-the-wool 911 fans but they were mostly good cars, fun to drive, and fairly easy to work on. The seller has this project 1983 Porsche 944 posted here on craigslist in Almont, Michigan and they’re asking $2,500 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!
As the owner of a dreaded front-engine Porsche, and even worse, one with AWD!… I don’t look down on these cars as some purists might do. Actually, I don’t look down on any vehicle, figuratively. Although, at 6′-5″ tall, I look down on most vehicles, literally. The 944 came along in 1982 and they were made for a decade before being replaced by the upgraded 968 in 1992. Hagerty is at $6,800 for a #4 fair condition car and $11,500 for a #3 good condition car. I bet that this car would polish up very nicely.
For a craigslist ad, the seller has provided most of the key photos here which is nice to see. Although, an underside photo – if it’s a Michigan car – and one of the hatchback cargo area would be nice. The Porsche 944 was reportedly the biggest-selling Porsche until the Boxster came out in 1996. As with the Cayenne, a lot of purists think they’re an abomination but they sure sell a lot of them. Car & Driver named the 1984 Porsche 944 the best handling production car in the U.S.
The interior looks appropriately barn-find’y, as the seller says this one is a “barn find” and it has been sitting for over 20 years. Seeing a dash cover always makes me nervous thinking that it’s hiding a cracked dash but hopefully it’s there to protect a perfect dash. A quick message to the seller would confirm that if you’re a buyer. An Audi-sourced 5-speed manual is thankfully in place here, although I don’t see a clutch pedal for some reason.
The engine isn’t exactly a thing of beauty and wonder like the 928 engine is, but it was adequate for the time. It’s a carry-over from the 924, a 2.5-liter inline-four that had around 145 horsepower. This one cranks but doesn’t start, according to the seller. The later cars has nicer interiors but if you’re a fan and know how to work on these cars, $2,500 or offer is pretty enticing. Have any of you owned a 944?
Owned a ’77 924 as a daily driver and autocross car and worked on a ton of the 944s in the ’80s. Both great, comfortable driving cars and well built. Not sure on this car but for the money you probably can’t pass it up if you are looking for one. The ’86s are really the ones to buy as they made the changes to turn them into really good cars.
We’re going to sell dad’s 1978 924 he bought new. It’s still in great shape, but just like the 944, it’s not going to get any real money.
Actually the 944’s bring very good money!
Usually 14,000 to as much as 40,000 for later models in good shape.:Y
The turbos had their issues, and the 944S2 is more rare and 3.0 liter twin cam. Google and check it out. Plus the market for the 924 is strong but hard to find in good shape! Good luck and take a look. 👍
Let me know when you’re ready to sell the 924, I may be interested! Thanks
As Bob said the early 944 models sourced their parts from the VW parts bin. You don’t see a clutch pedal because the hydraulics have failed. The engine may turn over but does the camshaft turn? As a technician whenever I see a barn find my first question is why did it wind up in storage. What broke that caused a Porsche to be mothballed? Probably the timing belt. I like the 944 engines. When running they are as smooth as silk and make pleasing sounds. Not harsh at all considering their displacement. Basically 1/2 of a 928 engine. They stole the idea from John DeLoreon to cut half of the cylinders off of the 389 and make it a Trophy 4 ( I know International did it too with the Scout). Heck even the 944 has its version of the rope drive although not under tension but supported by a torque tube. Let’s just say the German’s did it better by refining the idea like modern fuel injection thanks to Bendix selling the patents to Bosch.
Getting back to the car for sale. Make sure the timing belt hasn’t failed expensive engine repairs along with the usual fuel injection woes from long storage, brakes and clutch hydraulics, and any rodent related damage could make this a good by rather than a good buy.
Those sport seats are almost worth $2500 by themselves.
You are right totally missed them. Rare for a 944 as well. Good catch!
Were these galvanised? 924s were, and it’s accident damage and welding – generally – that make them rust badly. Doesn’t look like a bad starting point; I’d probably build a car for fast road / track days. It may be like other performance brands, in that if you know where the parts’re sourced they’ll be cheaper over (for example) a VW parts counter than a Porsche one.
Only real VW parts on the early 944s were the front suspension and an adapted version of the electronic fuel injection. Also, the cars did get the same galvanized treatment as the 911s and 928s.
Don’t forget the rear trailing arms were type 3 and the electrical system used Rabbit parts. All the switchgear and the fuse relay board was a blend of Rabbit with some Beetle parts thrown in. injection was proprietary Bosch Motronic. Only thing that came close to that system was the VW Digifant on the Vanagon ad later Jetta Golf models,Other VW’s used Bosch L-Jet for the bus and Beetle and K and KE-Jetronic on early Golf/Jetta and Passat models.
Various engine displacements up to 3litres I *think*? I large displacement 4 banger is a great motor in my book. And I think some 944s carried this out to the max.IIRC…..
Great project car from the look of it.
cheers,
BT
Yes, the 944S2 got a bump to 3 liters which carried into the 968. At the time it was the largest 4 cylinder on the market. Still surprisingly smooth and refined. To me the 944 turbo S was the one to have or the 968 cup car.
An acquaintance of mine had a 924 Turbo. He thought it was the baddest car on the block. Until he found out that he had to replace the braking system. Buh bye Porsche. Hello, Camaro.
I had a 924 turbo. We named her Donna, cause she Donna-wonna-run. She ate $500 every week in parts and labor and she only ran one weekend a month. But oh man, when she ran…
Gotta admit, I like front engine, water cooled porsches ….. have owned 3 x n/a 924s, 2 x 924 turbos and a 4.7 litre 928 …… all great cars … always yearned after a 944 but they were always out of my pay scale. Now, the money is not the problem …. the ability to bend the body is the limitting factor ….. nuff said!!!
I drove a friends new 87 944. I t was great, but this one just looks like an expensive headache. Buy a good one, you will not regret it.