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?
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