651=power windows) and 469=roofliner black, 566=rectangular foglights white, 590=center console

 

 

304 similar vehicles (SC's) were delivered to Japan. The window sticker , possibly original.shows the original Japanese Porsche dealership.
Mitsuwa motors is now Mizwa Motors
Here is a Japanese ad from 1978

 

09721
Link to VIN and engine number decoding http://www.elferhelfer.com/fzident/fzident78-83.htm

Chassis factory production number decoding http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-912-technical-forum/497381-1969-chassis-production-number.html

 

 

 

 

This is interesting!

" Brand new is good, but used is not... In Japan, there is a serious stigma attached to using or acquiring anything "used". Originating from ancient beliefs, it still affects all commodities, such as home appliances, automobiles, even houses.

For instance, purchasing a new home in Japan will invariably results in its value shrinking by about 30% within the first 5 years. Value will be considered equivalent to zero within 15 to 20 years.

Even with the current economic slow down and a newly acquired Japanese taste for bargains, the large majority of vehicles is still acquired new from a dealer, by trading in the current one (usually at shaken renewal time, after 3, 5, 7 or 9 years).

Private car sales are non existent in Japan, because technically impossible. From one owner to the next, the vehicle MUST pass through the hands of an authorised dealer for ownership transfer. NOTE: Genuine Service Books are almost never available with Japanese imports as practically no one in Japan bothers writing in them nor have use for them. This is because maintenance is always done by the dealer and private sales do not exist. Often the owner will dispose of anything that can trace the car back to him or her so he/she is not bombarded with more junk mail or telesales."


Features as at 12'2009:

1) Colour "Fern Green (farn-grün) #L273 - one of over 20 shades of green offered by Porsche over the years http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/porsches-past-general-porsche-news/1959-green-machine-all-shades-green-offered-porsche-2.html, and one of 5 offered in 1978. Fern green is quite unusual but I know of one other similar vehicle in Australia. This differs externally with respect to having chrome window trim; mine is black.
http://www.qnetonline.nl/cgi-nt/qnet/qncolorlist.asp?site=LESAU&md=man&mk=Porsche&yu=1978&cc=273&cd=&cg=1&pd=53&qy=1.0&um=1&pr=cum&go=Start+Search

2) Left hand drive ( though Japanese drive on the left hand side of the road , apparently it was considered prestigious to leave them
LHD Sided-ness and thus the car is unmarred by right hand conversion. In my state it is legal to drive a LHD car over 30 years old. A conversion would be financially out of the question and certainly spoil the originality of the car.

3) 3.0 litre 6 cylinder air cooled fuel injected boxer engine.

 

Carrera hydraulic chain tensioners + idler arm upgrade March 2010

4) Original Fuchs wheels 911361020 43 1978 wheel specs,  Michelin Pilot Preceda tyres : rear = 225/50 front = 205/55 Dating Fuchs wheels

4(a) Brakes stock : slave/master ratio 35.192

5) Excellent quality respray - external bodywork is 99% perfect

6) No rust identified ; all the usual spots checked.

7) Power windows & mirrors

8) Air conditioning (York compressor) - it works, sort of but needs testing and regas if possible.

9) Interior as close to perfect as you could hope for in a 30+ year old car. Seats and trim are in almost as new condition, carpets likewise show little wear.

10) Original car jack included , but no tools.

11) Catalytic converter is the Jap spec one number 93011322810 . These were not required until 1979-80 .

12) Bilstein HD shocks

13) Heat exchangers dated 12/77

14) Bischoff muffler part # 024010977 dated 12/77

 

15) H4 Euro headlights

The only provenance is an extensive photo album detailing a complete engine rebuild in Japan. Busted head studs -> stuffed bearing.

Found this under the handbrake boot!