928 AUSTRALIA - JAFFA! - Robin's '78 928 Resto.

Here is my Red, August '78, Five Speed 928.
I'll provide additional images as the restoration progresses
- Robin Gray, Brisbane.

6 March 2008
Hi all, just an update on whats been hapening with the '78 Resto. I have been spending most of my time getting the electrics sorted. There were three main issues, a black widow alarm, many years old, a Laser detector and a kill switch with three switches, all which had to be in the correct sequence, or no go. The owner forgot the sequence, and as well, it was playing up, so they were all removed. Also removed were the subwoofers and an ancient Amp. It's now 5kg lighter!

Next, the seats! Jaffa's are currently updated full leather electric and I bought some Vinyl/Pasha manual seats. As soon as I tried to clean the Pasaha it virtualy disintegrated. Options were to go all vinyl, or source some Pasha. Unfortunatley the original material is no longer available. However I managed to find a boutique manufacturer who scanned the pattern and produced some. Not cheap, and not the nylon of the original fabric, but 100% cotton and a very good finish. The original Pasha when I saw the untouched bits from the rear seats deep in the joins where no dirt, sun or wear etc. got to, was very white and black. This compared to the rest which was now a dirty white/grey and as explained by the upholsterer, the black goes to grey, then a bluish tinge and finally to a green look, which this fabric now is. After all, thirty years will do that!

So now the seats are done and ready to go in. It took four metres of fabric, and in the upholsterers words, "it's a wastefull patern"! getting the same pattern on all four seats and door trim. The seats will go in last.

Presently Jaffa is in getting new brakes. Including; disks, pads, lines, calipers o/hauled, master cylinder O/hauled, fluids and brake booster hose and switches etc. Then she's off to John Giaccio (who previously maintained my S4) to get the engine bay sorted. Sadly, its been sitting for approx four years. New cambelt/waterpump is first on the list, as well as all the pipes and belts, and new cold start valve.

I have already replaced the leads, plugs, dissy cap and rotor but there's no telling what is still to be found. I'm assuming the engine mounts, ball joints and tie rods etc. All up more than the car cost in the first place!

29 September 2007
We have cleaned up the interior and engine bay, changed the fluids and got some plug leads. Unfortunately the leads were not very good, so although we have her running, it's only on 6 - 7 cylinders. I've just recieved proper leads and braided brake lines which will go on soon with a brake fluid flush and we have removed the front non standard armrest and the boom box speakers, amp is next?

The wheels are my old 17" non genuine Cup 2's from the S4. The 944 wheels which I thought I'd won from ebay were presold at a higher price but the seller let the auction go till the end, so although I won the auction, I still have no wheels?

Next job is to fit plug leads and get running on eight, remove the alarm system and laser detector(?) and tidy up the wiring. Then when running, I will take it to T&D to get it properly sorted, then we'll decide on the next step.

23 June 2007
Just purchased a set of 928, 16" phone dial rims, 928 7" 65ET front, 944 8" 52.3ET rear. Excellent price and they are almost like new. Jaffa's refurb is progressing, slowly, but surely.

20 May 2007
We (Dean and I), got a little fuel and a lot of gunk from the fuel tank and found the fuel hose 95% gone. The main issue is the dreaded alarm which refuses to spin the fuel pump or allow spark to the distributor. BTW this one seems to have two fuel pumps. External one, in normal position and another in rear guard under a shield but with wires to it so it's definitely not a filter!

19 May 2007
It has had a total respray about 10 years ago. If you look at the battery area it looks like the original colour, but I have never seen one that colour. Looks like the 911 orange, but I hope not!

I will go to Porsche to find it's history. Not looking forward to removing seat covers, but it may surprise. Happy to say the seats are in excellent condition, although that orange colour is showing up more, in the wheel arches, been sprayed black but when worn off is showing through.

18 May 2007
It has been in storage over four years, hence the mould on the leather. The carpet is excellent and the dash OK. The front bumper cover is cracked and there's a blemish on the bonnet. Sadly a P.O. has added 'S' spoilers which will be removed in due course as will the added electric seats. No sunroof, standard steering wheel (hooray!) and I already have a early radio to put in. I will be looking for Phone Dial rims down the track.

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