Beat up 944 For Sale Near Me

Naturally aspirated tech and talk
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Arne2
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dlarsen944 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:13 am From the pictures of the rims/wheels, the 1987 model year of a different wheel offset then the 85.5/86 model year. I believe its a 1987. The Porsche sticker on the drivers side door jam would specific the month/year of manufacture.
I compared the pictures in the ad to the pictures I took of my former 944, and I'm pretty sure those are early offset phone dials. Definitely looks to have deeper lips than the later offset that I swapped onto my '84 using some big spacers. Note the different contours around the holes as well.

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- Arne

Current Porsche - 2018 718 Cayman 2.0 litre
Past Porsches:
  • 1972 911T coupe, silver
  • 1984 911 Carrera 3.2 coupe, Chiffon White
  • 1973 914 2.0, Saturn Yellow
  • 1984 944, silver

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PSU_Crash
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Arne2 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 5:04 pm
dlarsen944 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:13 am From the pictures of the rims/wheels, the 1987 model year of a different wheel offset then the 85.5/86 model year. I believe its a 1987. The Porsche sticker on the drivers side door jam would specific the month/year of manufacture.
I compared the pictures in the ad to the pictures I took of my former 944, and I'm pretty sure those are early offset phone dials. Definitely looks to have deeper lips than the later offset that I swapped onto my '84 using some big spacers. Note the different contours around the holes as well.


Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 5.09.47 PM.jpg
DSC_1609.jpg
I thought the same based on how my 86 rear wheels are set in a bit on the rear. Same as that pic. Why didn't Porsche make them more flush? Trust the engineers I guess 😄
'86 Zermatt Silver 944 N/A :thumbup:
'86 Mitsubishi Starion - Purpose built SM class Autocross car
'87 Chrysler Conquest - Mid LS Swap

#22

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Arne2
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PSU_Crash wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 9:50 pm
Arne2 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 5:04 pm
dlarsen944 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 10:13 am From the pictures of the rims/wheels, the 1987 model year of a different wheel offset then the 85.5/86 model year. I believe its a 1987. The Porsche sticker on the drivers side door jam would specific the month/year of manufacture.
I compared the pictures in the ad to the pictures I took of my former 944, and I'm pretty sure those are early offset phone dials. Definitely looks to have deeper lips than the later offset that I swapped onto my '84 using some big spacers. Note the different contours around the holes as well.


Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 5.09.47 PM.jpg
DSC_1609.jpg
I thought the same based on how my 86 rear wheels are set in a bit on the rear. Same as that pic. Why didn't Porsche make them more flush? Trust the engineers I guess 😄
Rear fenders were sized to cover 8" wide Fuchs. The 7" phone dials sit a full inch (25mm) deeper in the fender. Adding 25mm spacers on the rear only makes a big difference in appearance.

When I went from Fuchs to the late offset dials I had to put on 25mm spacers in front and 50mm in back to fill the fenders.
- Arne

Current Porsche - 2018 718 Cayman 2.0 litre
Past Porsches:
  • 1972 911T coupe, silver
  • 1984 911 Carrera 3.2 coupe, Chiffon White
  • 1973 914 2.0, Saturn Yellow
  • 1984 944, silver

#23

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PSU_Crash
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Arne2 wrote: Sat Jan 03, 2026 9:56 pm

Rear fenders were sized to cover 8" wide Fuchs. The 7" phone dials sit a full inch (25mm) deeper in the fender. Adding 25mm spacers on the rear only makes a big difference in appearance.

When I went from Fuchs to the late offset dials I had to put on 25mm spacers in front and 50mm in back to fill the fenders.
That makes sense. A crude measurement shows i'm about an inch shy of being flush in the rear. Although, I don't know that my Fuchs are the early offset either.

I was able contact the seller last night, or at least the guy who made the listing, and told him his brother ghosted me. I got some BS story about his phone being dead and he would "probably" be in touch this morning. Nothing. So that's that. I guess I won't be picking this up after all. Why list a car if you aren't interested in answering calls and texts from a guy who tells you the trailer is hooked up has cash in hand? Frustrating. At this point the only thing left to do is leave seller feedback.
/end rant
'86 Zermatt Silver 944 N/A :thumbup:
'86 Mitsubishi Starion - Purpose built SM class Autocross car
'87 Chrysler Conquest - Mid LS Swap

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Arne2
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PSU_Crash wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 4:14 pm Although, I don't know that my Fuchs are the early offset either.
No such thing as late offset Fuchs. If your rears are inside the fender that far, they are probably 7", same as the fronts.
- Arne

Current Porsche - 2018 718 Cayman 2.0 litre
Past Porsches:
  • 1972 911T coupe, silver
  • 1984 911 Carrera 3.2 coupe, Chiffon White
  • 1973 914 2.0, Saturn Yellow
  • 1984 944, silver

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barnwerks
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PSU_Crash wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 4:14 pm

At this point the only thing left to do is leave seller feedback.
/end rant
Another possibility is to be patient. You never know what someone is going through and from the context, there may not be high level function there. They have your contact, let 'em come to you. :thumbup:

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PSU_Crash
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Arne2 wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 5:04 pm
PSU_Crash wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 4:14 pm Although, I don't know that my Fuchs are the early offset either.
No such thing as late offset Fuchs. If your rears are inside the fender that far, they are probably 7", same as the fronts.
They are indeed 7s. Well now I have another item to add to the list. 8" early offset fuchs in gold ;)
'86 Zermatt Silver 944 N/A :thumbup:
'86 Mitsubishi Starion - Purpose built SM class Autocross car
'87 Chrysler Conquest - Mid LS Swap

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barnwerks wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 5:29 pm
PSU_Crash wrote: Sun Jan 04, 2026 4:14 pm

At this point the only thing left to do is leave seller feedback.
/end rant
Another possibility is to be patient. You never know what someone is going through and from the context, there may not be high level function there. They have your contact, let 'em come to you. :thumbup:
You may be spot on with all counts. I'll wait and see.
'86 Zermatt Silver 944 N/A :thumbup:
'86 Mitsubishi Starion - Purpose built SM class Autocross car
'87 Chrysler Conquest - Mid LS Swap

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Update time!
I heard back this afternoon with a text that just said "Do you still want it?" Yes, I do. Here's my offer. I can be there at 5PM tomorrow with a trailer and $600 cash. Of course he asked for more, but I declined. Now he gave me his address and said he will be there with keys and a title.
Initially he wanted $800 for it. At this point I felt like 600 was still generous, especially sight unseen. I really didn't think I'd hear back, but here we are. I'll be sure to share the tale.
On the bright side ... 97% chance of severe thunderstorms at that time.... Excellent. :thumbdown:

More seriously though, how do I hook the winch up without damaging something? Maybe slide a strap behind the bumper? Pull out a head bolt and screw in an eye bolt? :D
'86 Zermatt Silver 944 N/A :thumbup:
'86 Mitsubishi Starion - Purpose built SM class Autocross car
'87 Chrysler Conquest - Mid LS Swap

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zooklm1
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Do you have a screw in tow eyelet? If yes, I think there is a small cover near the center of the front bumper near the top of the license plate holder. If not, I would wrap a tow strap around the bumper shocks, center the straps in the middle of the bumper and pull from there. Should be able to get to the bumper shocks from under the bumper. It is a long shot, but I read that some cars came with a tow eyelet in the tool roll.
Good luck with the pick up.
Lee

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