A 1991 GT for $50? That is not an accurate statement but it is the beginning of a long story. The following is my attempt to condense that story.
In 2001, Jim Morehouse asked me for advice as to whether he should buy a 1991 GT with a fire-damaged engine. In response, I told him that if he didn't buy it I would (if the timing belt and compression were OK). Of course, he bought it. However, due to other interests and commitments little was done to the car during the following year. In mid 2002, I approached Jim about his plans for the car. As a result of this conversation a deal was made for me to take the GT, an '88 parts car and some cash for my '88 5-speed.
After delivering the '88 to Jim in Allentown, I was riding as a passenger in the roll-back, flat-bed truck that was towing the 'GT home for me. We had come to a stop at the toll-booth at our exit on the PA Turnpike and were waiting to pay the toll. All of a sudden we were struck from behind by a car doing ~60 MPH. The brand new steel cable holding the GT on the truck snapped, allowing the GT to roll off the back onto the car that had hit us, finally coming to rest on the road beside the toll taker. The tow truck was pushed 100 feet forward.
Three of the four teenagers in the Chevy that hit us were saved by airbags, (I am sure that none had seat belts on). The fourth teenager was thrown from the back seat and hit the windshield. It was later determined that the driver never hit the brakes. Except for the fourth teenager, we were all taken to a local hospital. A helicopter was brought in to take the him to a Philadelphia hospital. The truck driver and I both broke the windows directly behind us and were disoriented for awhile. Fortunately, as we discovered later, no one suffered any long-lasting injuries.
There were, however, a serious number of disgruntled commuters who waited for an hour or more while they closed the interchange for the helicopter to land. The entire PA Turnpike, East-West and North-South, was stopped for that amount of time.
The tow truck cab was moved back on the chassis 6" and the truck was totaled. The GT actually came out pretty good needing new front and rear bumpers and one fog light. After a month of being shuttled from adjuster to adjuster by the insurance company, I finally got to someone that could make a decision. The company offered to give me what I paid for the car and they would sell it back to me for $50. Hence the $50 GT.
RESULTS OF THOROUGH INSPECTION
RESTORATION
WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE?
Good question. The Porsche 928 has NO electrical short circuit protection between the battery in the rear and the fuse panel. There are NO fusible links.
It appears that the heavy power cable to the ABS shorted to the outside temperature sensor wires, starting an electrical fire under the hood which eventually burned through a fuel hose. There was a 1' diameter hole burned in the aluminum hood. I suspect that body damage, caused in the original total, may have caused the short. Sensor wires are not normally fused, since it is expected that most shorts are to ground, which would not cause an overload. But the HVAC controller did not like being shorted to the battery positive. A fusible link may have saved this car from fire.
Disconnecting the battery at the battery negative terminal "wing nut" may have saved this car, but it could be that the driver was not aware of the "wing nut". Probably, one of the first indications of a problem was smoke from the HVAC control unit in the dash. Someone actually poked a hole through the center air vent plenum (1/4" plastic) in the dash and poked the burning wires to stop the smoke. In the meantime, the engine was on fire. Also, the hood release cable was broken, so the hood couldn't be opened. Apparently they tried to get to the central electric panel since the passenger side carpets are missing. There was no evidence of fire extinguisher powder.
928 FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE
928 owners might want to check the condition of the wire insulation and routing at the following locations. They have caused fires in other 928sFuel fires
Be extremely careful when doing fuel system maintenance. A fuel leak with fuel pump pressure ~50 PSI can atomize the gas and be extremely flammable. A dripping fuel leak is not nearly as serious, such as on older, carbureted cars. The 928 may be more susceptible with it's extremely high power ignition system. There may be spark leaks that you have not noticed.
