New 1982 944 owner

[gilbo]

Hi - noob here from Leeds - I just bought my first 944 after quite a while searching. It's an '82 and the original VRM was a 'Y'. Did a lot of research on what to look for before handing over the money and I think I have made the right decision with this baby boy I decided to adopt. The car appears to be original with an immaculate and unworn interior with the exterior looking better in person than it does in these pictures. Car drives great and the mileage, which shows 54000, may well be genuine although I only have service history for the last 16 years. It has done 4000 miles in the last 10 years though, and has been stored indoors.

I would not have bought this if I did not have a garage myself and I am not even getting it out now until the weather improves.

Problems I have so far found with the car are the instrument panel lights do not work...... thats about it right now, if anyone can help! - Chris

 

[DivineE]

Interesting colour and I love the interior carpet trim. With the dash lights do you mean just the three guage pods or all of the switches, smaller guages dont work?

 

[gilbo]

Hi the three clocks behind the steering wheel - I have now done some searching on the forum and have found quite a few people posting on this so I have something to go on now

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Looks superb. We had a few 1982 cars at the Club National event in 2007, celebrating 25 years, but there aren't all that many around now.

One thing, when was the belt last changed? If it's been stored it might be overdue as there's a limit of 4 years max regardless of mileage.

 

[Alpine]

Hi Gilbo - looks very nice, like the wheels

where in Leeds are you? I am in Leeds too.

 

[gilbo]

Hi Phil I am in Moortown

I have the car booked in to our garage to get the belt changed shortly - should give me peace of mind

 

[Eiger]

That's a lovely colour! Goes really well with that piped interior too.

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
One thing, when was the belt last changed? If it's been stored it might be overdue as there's a limit of 4 years max regardless of mileage.

Paul, why do the belts need changing if the mileage has been so low despite the years? Surely little use means it's unlikely that the belts need doing. I'm curious.

 

[gilbo]

The belt was last changed in august 2001 - the car was then on 51000 miles, but due to the time between now and then, I intend to get it changed as a precaution

 

[barks944]

ORIGINAL: Eiger
Paul, why do the belts need changing if the mileage has been so low despite the years? Surely little use means it's unlikely that the belts need doing. I'm curious.

The belt is rubber with a reinforced core (Kevlar?), the rubber will degrade with age and could compromise the integrity of the belt.

 

[Alpine]

ORIGINAL: gilbo

Hi Phil I am in Moortown

I have the car booked in to our garage to get the belt changed shortly - should give me peace of mind

Hi Gilbo - I'm in Cross Gates, not that far from you. I shall keep an eye out for you ! Wise to get your belts changed I think.

 

[zcacogp]

Have to say, that is one of the very few early cars I have seen pictures of that I liked.

Very nice. I like the interior particularly. Look after her - there aren't many around like that any more.


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

If its been laid up for a few years I would want to give it a good once over at a specialist, the belts definately should be changed, many things can stiffen up or seize if left over a long period of time.

Then you can drive it knowing there shouldnt be any big suprises.

Edd

 

[MRGT]

Someone has spent an awful lot of money for that retrim at some point in the past.

It looks amazing for a 28 yr old car, but I echo the sentiments of everyone else here, get the belts done asap, and get it to a specialist sooner rather than later

 

[gilbo]

Thankyou all for your kind comments - believe me, I will take great care of it! It's only coming out when it's dry too!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Paul, why do the belts need changing if the mileage has been so low despite the years? Surely little use means it's unlikely that the belts need doing. I'm curious.

The official time limit is four years, I wouldn't even turn the engine over if the belt was older. I've only heard of two engines wrecked by belts failing in the last few years, both were between four and five years old with low miles.

Belts don't only degrade over time, there's also the possibility of contaminants such as oil which would have been damaging the belt for a long time. Why risk it, a belt every four years is cheaper than a new engine. [8|]

 

[DivineE]

I understand completely the desire to keep such a tidy car bubble wrapped but do make sure you get out in it whenever you can too. These cars are built from hardy stuff and not only would it not hurt the car to be driven and get some air/heat into those bits you can't clean but they really are blissful to drive and it'd be a shame not to enjoy it. I was reminded just how good these cars really are to drive when I went out with a journalist who drives thousands of sports cars and he said "You know there's something really good about the feel of these cars" it just re-affirmed my own experiences that even today being behind the wheel of a 944 is one of the best driving pleasures around.[]

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi
I've an '83, and yours looks superb! Far better than mine in all departments.
I love the Fuchs, done in the blue too!
As the guys have said get the belts done and check it all over, then enjoy it on the roads of Yorkshire (and beyond).
Mike