Whenever a first-year model is discovered, there’s usually some associated excitement that comes from knowing it has features the later cars didn’t get. In the case of the Porsche 944, those “easter eggs” are fairly modest and minor in nature, but they may still intrigue an enthusiast enough to bid on this dirt-cheap 1983 model listed here on eBay. Plus, for a donated 944 project, this one looks fairly straightforward in terms of restoration, with no glaring faults evident besides the fact it doesn’t stay running. Bids currently sit under $1,000 with no reserve.
So, right away, I can tell this was an enthusiast-owned example. That center trim panel or garnish is called a heckblende and it was an optional accessory back in the day. Other marques had them as well, with the Nissan 300ZX being the one that immediately comes to mind. These were wildly popular when the 944 was new, but you rarely find them in good condition. The 944 also shows what looks to be an aftermarket exhaust, and a vintage Porsche plate frame. This is a genuine California blue plate car, which offers a clue as to how long it’s been off the road.
The early 944 differences are simple differences reflecting an evolving attempt to make this affordable Porsche more refined. The later cars would get an updated dashboard, while the early 944s share theirs with the 924 sibling. There’s also some differences in the HVAC controls, along with door panels that are flat in design and have slightly different map pockets. There’s also some exposed mechanical bits in the engine bay that would get cosmetic covers and plates in later models, like the wiper motor. The interior of this 944 presents very well, with most of its age-related damage caused by sitting in the sun.
The 944 came to market with a 2.5-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine producing 143 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque. The European spec models, of course, came with more, but if you want a powerful 944, you’re looking for a later turbocharged model anyhow. This 944 is certainly a project but it will fire off with ignition fluid, so it can’t be all that far from running again. When these donation cars show in decent shape, I always hope there’s someone out there wanting to rescue it – would you save this one?
This could make for a great foundation for a track day car. It doesn’t need to have a perfect body, stock engine or interior.
California never made people turn in their old plates after the early-1960’s, except for a few rare circumstances, such as sitting long enough for the car to be dropped from the DMV’s computer system. When the car was reregistered the DMV typically issued new plates which would have been some iteration of white.
Blue plates started being used in 1969 until well into the 1980’s. There were more cars equipped with blue plates than black, you can also occasionally find cars wearing personalized blue plates, I still have mine hanging on the garage wall.
Steve R
the early ’83 944s for America as well as the late ’82 Rest of World cars, had quite different characteristics than what came later in the ’84 and early ’85 units. Things like a non power actuated sunroof. Differences tho small in gauge specifics and center stack functions, and as many as 50 nuances only realized when a person closely familiar with first series 944s is tuned to. It would be nice to know what the build code tags says on how it is optioned with such things as suspension, limited slip, anti-sway bar diameters, etc. It does not have the optional rear wiper either or the front headlight washers, and unknown if it has power steering as later ’83 cars could be optioned with, nor does it have the quite desirable light weight FUCHS wheels which were forged aluminum. It also has a misaligned hose leading from the balance shaft belt assembly housing to the airbox, so it appears some one forgot to realign. ’83 cars were marginally lighter than what came later due to firewall strengthening and added weight from options. This one does not appear to have a damaged or bent front air dam as many do from hitting curbing or roadkill, cones from auto crossing, etc. This would be an easy car to put right as it appears all there ……
Back in 1988, my wife spied a used ’83 944 for sale at a nearby used car lot. We knew the owner, and she thought she might like to trade her BMW 528e in on it. The 944 was in very decent shape, with service records and 5-speed transmission. The dealer was willing to make a deal within our budget, and it looked like that would happen….. Then we took a test drive, and my wife said “Lunch bag letdown!” Although the 528e and 944 were like comparing apples and oranges, the Porsche just did not impress her. She preferred the torquey 6 cylinder BMW over the higher revving 4 cylinder in the Porsche. The 944 could accelerate a bit faster if you revved it, but was still not very quick. The absolute deal-breaker for her though was the (idiotic) location of the hand brake. It was mounted on the left, between the drivers seat and doorsill. To enter & exit the car she had to manoeuvre over the raised parking brake handle. To her it was like playing “Twister” with a dress on.
We occasionally encounter 944s at local car meets, and she almost always makes a remark about the goofy handbrake.
Some years later, we did own a Euro-spec 928. She did approve of the acceleration and handbrake position.
It seems there is always at least one tired early 944 project for sale within an hour of our home. Few ever make it back on the road. Cheap to buy, but can be costly to fix, and don’t perform all that well by modern standards. If you want one, buy a later one in decent condition.
The handbrake lever can be pushed down after it is activated so it’s not in the way of entry and egress. 914 handbrakes operate the same way.
And prolly an adjustment to the parking brake cable would allow it to be set without having to raise the handle quite so far as well.
these H2O cooled/frnt engine, etc models R the 1s to have in my mind (less expensive too).
“…features the later cars didn’t get…”
often the ‘performance’ (that’s the wrd for lower MPGs, more pep) of cars is upgraded thru the model life-cycle (everywhere in the world). I’m thinkin this comment is abt the trim, facelift, etc. I’d agree w/that.
Thnx 4 featuring this one, Jeff !
SOLD for $1,650.
It took 24 bids to get to that paltry amount.
Sold for $1,650