Australian 328 quirks - 88.5 or not?

Crikey, didnt realise how unique the Aussie cars were. My assumption they were basically UK cars could not have been more wrong!

 

No, australian 328s have the same engine as US cars: catalytic converter, K-jet, 260hp, letter "X" in the fourth position of the VIN.
Swiss engine (catalytic converter, KE-Jet, 255hp) is letter "C" in the fourth position in the VIN. These cars were sold in Switzerland and Sweden (identifiable by a small washing water outlet in front of each headlight pod).
Rgds

 

As said by Brian ("Rifledriver") above, australian 328s are basically (some details do differ indeed) RHD US cars.
Rgds

 

Have no fear .. I have a transition 328GTS like yours other than US version (LHD) .. #76289.. Feb. 88 build date I think. I call it an 88.25 model. I like the 88.5 features (old suspension though) and the concave wheels.

 

I have an Australian delivered 1989 328 GTS #81270 first registered 21/07/1989. It is red with tan carpet, cream leather seats, black console and door trims, large external side mirrors and no rear wing spoiler. It does not have the black gaskets around the external door handles and obviously the later style interior door handles. I was under the impression the introduction of convex wheels was to accommodate suspension geometry changes to reduce nose dive under braking and ABS was a separate and later update. Hence, why not all early convex wheel cars have ABS. Australian cars have the lower HP engine due to catalytic converters i.e. not Euro Spec. Consequently, I believe the rear under body mesh grille which covers the exhaust muffler is unique to Australia, Japan and Swiss market cars.

 

sdamiani73 Do you know early history of your car ? The interior console and top door trims is always the same color as the seats. The interior of your car should has been redone. That is common for 30 years old car.
Also door could be not original ...