1978 928 - 5 Speed - #241 - Restoration

So I bet you never thought you'd see a restoration thread for a 928 on Ferrari Chat. Well here it is! Frankly one of my favorite cars and certainly one of the most misunderstood in history. I have owned many trouble free 928s over the years and while I also own a lot of Italian metal, the 928 is equally enjoyable for me, as they offer a very different driving experience and unique design aesthetic. Certainly one of the best GT cars in history!

I found this first year, 5 speed, 78 with pinstripe cloth interior in early 2015 and planned on doing a mechanical refresh. However after some thinking, I have decided to take the refreshing to a full restoration. Frankly the car deserves it and I feel that I have it at the right shop to get it done. Jim Doerr of 928 Classics will be doing the work. He is the first name in early 928s and a true asset to the community.

For everyone's enjoyment I will post pictures of #241 before, during, and post restoration. Hopefully others will see the beauty in these cars that I have loved for many years and decide to save more of these truly iconic V8 GT Porsches. I welcome you all to follow along and encourage any question along the way; while I am no expert, I will do my best to answer any question that you ask. So here we go and enjoy!
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First some of the things that drew me to this particular car. I prefer the clean and pure look of no rub strips
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This is also a relatively rare non-optioned sunroof (some say sunroof delete but they were not standard), which is always a preference for me.
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Porsche had some great "of the period" interiors in the 70s. The 928s were offered with Pascha, Tartan, and Pinstripe cloth interiors. I was particularly drawn to the simple elegance of the pinstripe interior of this car. The interior of this car is in fantastic original condition and much of it will be preserved.
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Many of the 928s were fitted with automatic transmissions. I prefer the 5 speed. As you can also see in this picture, the carpets are original and in fantastic condition.
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Dashboards were prone to major cracking on 928s. This one is in excellent condition.
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Original, uncut vinyl door cards with pinstripe inserts.
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This is a relatively low mileage car and its condition seems consistent with the odometer reading.
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All original padding, carpet, etc in trunk.
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Engine compartment is very original. The original aluminum radiator is a rare find. Car runs and drives well. Engine will receive a proper degreasing, resealing, refreshing of components, replating of hardware, replacement of hoses, etc.
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Intake plenum for the early 928s, known as the "spider."
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Perhaps one if the best views of the 928 is the rear end. It was well ahead of its time with integrated bumpers covered in body colored plastic panels.
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Starting with a straight, accident and corrosion free car is a huge advantage. Other than some small bubbling at the bottom of the doors, this car's body is corrosion free. Although a good amount of the paint is original, areas that were touched up don't match well. Therefore. #241 will receive a bare metal respray.
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The early 928s are know as "OBs". The major aesthetic difference from later years is they are free of rear spoiler and front splitter. They also have "phone dial" wheels. Truly the purest of the 928 designs.
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The shark nose and exposed pop up headlights are also signature features of the 928.
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A well maintained, well love 928 is as reliable as any Porsche.
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And finally, as with any car, the more accoutrement, the better.
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Now down to business! Disassembly has commenced in preparation of a bare metals respray.
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The V8 water cooled engine is said to be bulletproof, with many of these 928s surviving well passed 150k miles! Engine is also being prepped for a proper refresh / reseal.
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From another angle.
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The galvanizing used on the 928s was well ahead of its time. This is something that should not be touched even during a restoration; it's simply too good to change. In fact the underside of most 928s clean up very well simply from a proper steam cleaning.
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More evidence of the benefits of a proper steam clean.
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One more.
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While suspension components are in good shape, having spent much of its life in the Northeast, there is some corrosion. Suspension will be rebuilt with of course all components refinished / replated.
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