Is there such thing as a 1985 944 Turbo?

Guest · Dec 28, 2004

Hey guys,

Accrossed the pond here in the States, we didn't receive the 944Turbo cars until they were model year 1986. However, I have seen a few 944Turbos in GT&PP and 911&Porker adverted as being 85 model year cars. Were there 1985 model year 951 cars?

Furthermore, has anyone seen any very early 951 cars with the early square dash configuration?

(we have been discussing this over on Rennlist and are curious.........)

Thanks!

T.

Fen · Dec 28, 2004

As I understand it the oval dash and flush windscreen was introduced on the Turbo from day 1 and rolled out into the NA cars.

I haven't ever seen a UK Turbo earlier than a C registration which means after 1st August 1986 suggesting the 1986 model year. I imagine that the car was on display at shows earlier than that - maybe late 1985? Always with the oval dash though. I further guess that the NA cars were actually sold with the oval dash before the Turbo was delivered to cusotmers.

Guest · Dec 28, 2004

Yes, here the 85.5 944 non-turbo cars had the oval dash (mine is one of them), then the turbo cars were introduced as an 86 model year. There were turbos running around long befor the 1986 model year though, just trying to figure out if they were in production or just one-off's.

Here is a photo of a 951 racing in the States back in 1984:

berg944 · Dec 29, 2004

I HAVE ONE.....

It was reshelled with an early dash.

I think the "square dash" suits the turbo's character .......and its so retro.....its modern!

I think the oval dash looks dated, slightly better with coloured dial faces.

Before you all start shouting, I am not bias as I own both.

The oval dash and heater is far superior, I like the demist button in the winter.

TTM · Dec 29, 2004

I had an '85 944 turbo, it was a ZFN car with engine code M44/50.
They made around 200 ROW cars and around 100 US cars.

John Sims · Dec 30, 2004

I think the "square dash" suits the turbo's character .......and its so retro.....its modern!

I quite like the square dash myself, with the exception of the "Madonna Bra" instrument faces.

It would appear that the square dash would lend its self more to the incorporation of after market guages more effectively than the oval dash - I wouldn't bother swapping it over though.

Back on thread:-

According to Michael Cotton's book (a must for all 944 owners) "1985....the 944 Turbo was announced in February...."

Significant changes came in the following build years:-

'87 - Increased brake servo, improved wheel bearings, ABS as standard.

'88 - Turbo S with Cup Spec. uprated suspension and bigger turbo .'. 250 bhp - limitted to 1000 cars - included disgusting pink interior and equaly strange pinkie silver paintwork - weren't the 80's great!

'89 - Turbo SE with 250 bhp as standard and bigger brakes.