944 with 968 rear.

[Keyzy74]

Found someone selling a 968 rear bumper conversion kit. Granted at £460 it sounds expensive, but the 968 back end looks sooooo much better (to me) than the 944. Best of both worlds me thinks, as I love the 968 but don't like the front. i.e. lights. I prefer the pop up lights on the 944, but again............ the 968 rear is sexy as!

As i'm gonna restore my 944 fully including respray, I think I might use the conversion, just to try and be a bit different. Although I bet there are probably a few around already.


Opinions please, in favour or not.

As i'm 37, this is not a boy racer thing, just someone who loves the Porsche brand but can't afford a 968, 911 etc....

 

[Gordon Attar]

The 968 lights pop up!

 

[Suffolk944]

I doubt you will get any sort of consensus in terms of thumbs up or down on this. Personally I would say no as I don't like the look of the 968 plus having half 944/half968 doesn't work for me. That said I know others prefer the 968 rear end as you do and for me one of the great joys of 944 ownership is that so many of the cars are very different to one another and not just a parade of silver coloured clones. For me, someone who is into these cars and sinks some love, attention and money into them is the most important thing. []

 

[Copperman05]

The 968 whilst def more modern looking with the 993 front end, its lines are more subtle and looses some of the aggressive looking appeal of the 944. The rear end as a one piece is very American looking to my eyes. I like the 968 but don't find them value for money compared to our cars.

If you like the look go for it its your car and your money.[]

Edd

 

[Keyzy74]

http://www.deutschnine.com/mm5/graphics/00000002/968-style-rear-bumper-pu-conversion-01M.jpg


I completely agree with that, as I've taken a sorry 944 which has been off road for the last 5 years, and slowly been replacing parts for the last 3/4 weeks. Think it's going to be a complete winter restore, but will be worth it. As you said, another Porsche back on the road.

 

[ukmastiff]

I certainly like the sound of your project and look ofreward to seeing the result !

Unless you are a panel sprayer though , I dont see how you can afford to respray a 944 but cant afford a 968


Just checked your profile , you lucky swine []

 

[Keyzy74]

LOL UK MASTIFF.

Done cars for many years, got bored and now spray buildings, football stadiums etc..... I'm currently looking for a large garage, or small unit in my area where I can get away from the family and spend some quality time on preparing the 944. Won't be to concours standard, but will certainly be nearly new. Currently have cookie alloys, which will also need fresh paint and the rims re polishing.

All work will be completed by moi, including strip/refit, scotching the car over, masking etc.... Still have my compressor and a few guns, all set up with different needles, from 0.4 to 2.0.

Perhaps I should set up on my own as a Porsche Smart repairer. Would be alot cheaper than a bodyshop without losing on the quality. lol []

 

[robwright]

You can come and do my rear wheel arch if you like []

 

[Keyzy74]

I would love to help out, but wouldn't go down too well at the moment as i'm off on the sick for the next 2 and a half weeks. I have a chipped bone and the small piece has lodged itself in my right knee. Hurts like hell when it bends. X rays were done monday, and if it's confirmed then surgery it is. Had to wait for the Mrs to take my daughter shopping for trainers this afternoon, before sneaking outside to sort out the new parts on the car. Always find it easier to keep my legs straight when working on a car anway. lol[]

 

[Keyzy74]

I thought the 968 lights were standard lights and NOT the pop up style Gordon??????? My mistake....sorry[]

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: Keyzy74

I thought the 968 lights were standard lights and NOT the pop up style Gordon??????? My mistake....sorry[]

They do pop up/forward, so the car looks like a startled frog..

 

[Gordon Attar]

ORIGINAL: Keyzy74

I thought the 968 lights were standard lights and NOT the pop up style Gordon??????? My mistake....sorry[]

dont worry I made the same mistake! lts literally just the headlamp unit i.e no bodywork protection

 

[bmnelsc]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

The 968 whilst def more modern looking with the 993 front end, its lines are more subtle and looses some of the aggressive looking appeal of the 944. The rear end as a one piece is very American looking to my eyes.,,,

Further to the lack of consensus - I agree with Copperman. Personally I like the front end of the 968 but the rear looks very generic and somewhat lacking in style - mostly the rear lenses I'd say - kind of flat and featureless to my eyes. Other than that - is is much cleaner looking than an S2 rear.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944
I would say no as I don't like the look of the 968 plus having half 944/half968 doesn't work for me.

You know, for a turbo owner you do speak a lot of sense sometimes Jon. Are you sure that machine of yours isn't an S2 in disguise? []


Oli.

 

[GlennS]

Oddly enough my preference would run the other way around if forced into it; 968 front end and 944 rear as I never liked the back of the 968 which I think looks like an after thought.

in truth though, as I regard these cars as emerging classics I wouldn't muck around with it.

 

[homesea]

I think if you fit the 968 rear end it would be worth also fitting the side skirts, as the line from the back runs into the side.
A few guys in the USA seem to have done this mod, but sounds a lot of work. Have to cut the rear end on the 944 to fit
the 968 back end. Also the exhaust will need sorting.

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp


Are you sure that machine of yours isn't an S2 in disguise? []


Oli.

Ah if only that were true Oli, I can but dream..[]

 

[Eldavo]

Whenever I see a lux with an S2/Turbo front end on it or a 944 with a 968 rear end on it anywhere on the internet I normally think its had a smash and they've replaced the panels with what they could get hold of/cheaper aftermarket parts.

If you do it I'd document it with photos of what's coming off as well as what's going on. That way should you come to sell it down the line you can prove it wasn't a graft as the result of a big impact.

 

[Pastry]

to be blunt, i think a 944 with a 968 rear end looks terrible. there was a yellow one kept popping up a year or so ago, real dogs breakfast.

a lux is square, 80's, angular. a 968 has a much smoother 90's look. mixing them up is an aesthetic mismatch and as others have said will look like a bodged shunt victim.

 

[Keyzy74]

I respect all comments, and I can't say there's one that I would disagree with. As the modification is only the light placements ( have to be grinded) the original 944 rear can be put back on if the car was to be sold. Not too difficult a job, especially as I spent an age spraying and modifying the exteriors of cars. []. But in saying that, there are already side skirts and rear valance mods already on the car which are in perfect condition, so maybe just a re spray will be all that's required. I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Thanks everyone though for all comments.