87 Sport specification question

[Nick Moss]

I looked at a 1987 UK spec RHD 3.2 Carrera today. It had factory fitted sport spoilers and seats as per the delivery option codes, but sports suspension was not specified. Would this have been standard in 87?

 

[bert gear]

the SC sport pack included Bilstein shocks all round
with the introduction of the 3.2 Porsche fitted a new sportier Boge set up this was fitted to all 3.2s standard or sport

 

[Nick Moss]

Another 87 3.2 I looked at yesterday had the same options, plus option M474 " sports shock absorbers" . What were they?

 

[Guest]

Isn' t M474 the Turbo setup?

Is this another project car Nick, or a ' ready to drive' car for a relative?

 

[Nick Moss]

Chris, this one is not for me, I' m just giving moral support and getting dirty crawling under cars for my brother. According to Peter Morgan M474 is sports dampers, M491 is Turbo look

 

[Guest]

Sounds like he' s after my ideal (for the moment) car. G50 Carrera coupe ready to be backdated to pre74 bonnet,wings & bumpers.

 

[Nick Moss]

My brother has now agreed to buy the car that has the sports suspension specified, not just for that reason, but because it is a very genuine, unpainted, historied car. It is owned by a PCGB member and it shows. Now to get my brother into the club!

I am still interested in hearing the answer to the sports suspension question......

 

[bert gear]

M474 is sporting, which was the same set up bilsteins as used on the SC sport and standard on the turbo, in stock and direct replacement to the Boge units
available from www.berlyn-services.co.uk

 

[Nick Moss]

Thanks Bert

glad to see that you got your link in []

 

[Nick Moss]

Chris, if you are serious about backdating, I think a late LHD G50 3.2 is the way to go. I looked at a very nice 87 3.2 on Saturday for less than £10K. I know of another, with a better spec for £10.5 in GP white. It' s north of Newcastle

 

[Guest]

I' ve been looking with more & more interest at LHD cars recently as you just get so much more for your money. Does anyone know if being LHD adversly affects insurance premiums?

 

[Guest]

From my experience of working in the general insurance industry, providing the vehicle is UK spec, with a 17 digit VIN and a UK plate it shouldn' t affect the premium that much.
Not sure how classic insurance providers will deal with LHD.

Happy hunting![]

 

[colin smith]

carol nash stated that there would be no increase in cost for LHD v RHD on the porsche policy.

Colin

 

[Guest]

While uprating the suspension on my Carrera 3 (Touring version), I went for what appears to be an ' enhanced' M474 spec - HD Turbo bilsteins all round, Turbo front ARB (22mm), late 3.2 rear ARB (21mm), and 26mm rear torsion bars. All finished off with many new bushes, adjustable spring plates, 7&9 x 16 Fuchs, etc.

I have yet to really test the understeer/oversteer characteristics, and need to put another 500 ' shakedown' miles into it. I will then will probably take it to AutoFarm for final alignment and balance on their super-duper machine.

Then, Castle Combe!

Al G

 

[Jamie Summers]

When I bought my 3.2 I wrongly made the assumption that as it had front and rear spoilers that it was a ' Sport' . I now realise that this isn' t the case having checked the options in the log book. Apparently the easy way to check (looking for green Bilstein shocks isn' t always as simple as it might appear !) is to look under the engine lid. A factory ' Sport' was supplied with two hydraulic struts to cope with the extra weight of the whaletail. If the whaletail was specified as an option on a non-Sport the factory only installed one strut for some odd reason. Anyway with cars of this age it is by no means a failsafe test but a useful pointer perhaps. (Needless to say my car only had one strut !)
I suppose the lesson to be learnt is that if you are looking at a car that is premium priced as a Sport, then be careful to check that it actually is ! There are plenty of dealers out there that will be happy to call anything a ' Sport' - caveat emptor !
As far as LHD goes then I can concur with other comments made that it makes little or no difference to the insurance or the driving experience for that matter (one criticism of RHD 3.2s was that the pedals are offset - which isn' t the case with LHD - everything is where it was originally designed to be. Also LHD often seem to have a higher level of spec and lower miles, so the potential for greater bang for your buck is increased). For the record I own an LHD and when (if ever) I decide to upgrade I will certainly look for another LHD !

Jamie