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What better way to kick off the new year than refreshing an air-cooled 911!! I recently purchased a new-to-me 1978 911SC targa! Thanks to those who provided some great feedback
I purchased from a client of mine who has had the car in storage for quite some time (15 years). The car comes with 25 years of maintenance records dating back to 1978!!
After picking up the car & reviewing the maintenance history. This car has shown to have been incredibly well maintained! It is such a cool find, when you can buy a classic car with such well documented history behind it.
The car will be going in Monday to the shop that she’s been going to since 1979 in Sacramento. Frank’s automotive. I’ve talked to the shop & after all of these years; they recognize the car! So I’m excited to bring her in & get her back into running shape.
Let’s start with some of the cars history. I went through the maintenance records & took the liberty of summarizing some of the critical maintenance/owner events:
Date - mileage - service 1/78 - 0 - original owner #1 (Fred Wood DDS) Oakland/SF purchased from California Porsche/Audi of San Francisco
2/78 - 1,002 - 1k mile service
4/79 - 15,558 - 15k mile service 12/79 - 20,718 - new owner #2 (Don Blythe) Sacramento
5/80 - ***** - front brakes replaced
4/81 - 34,385 - tune-up 8/81 - 38,600 - replace air box
6/99 - 149,894 - tune-up
5/00 - 157,878 - tune-up/window crank
2/01 - 164,947 - replace ignition switch 4/02 - 171,336 - new owner #4 (Dion Archuleta) Sacramento
4/02 - 171,336 - oil change by owner
4/04 - 173,138 - oil change by owner + smog
7/05 - 174,938 - car is put into storage 12/20 - 174,938 - new owner #5 (smiles11) SVR
90% of the maintenance was done at Frank’s Automotive. So I’m excited to show them the history! Let me know what you think...
I will update as progress is made. Starting with the big day on Monday (1/4) & getting this refresh started!
Feel free to provide your knowledge & advice during the journey! I’ll post findings from Frank’s Automotive & any relevant repairs needed in real time. Any input will be greatly appreciated!
Very cool. What makes this extra fun for me is my Dad's partner purchased that same 1978 SC Targa, new, in Guards Red. It was the first time I became aware of what a Porsche was. Never drove it, I was too young, not that he would have let me. The owner was also a pilot and I remember some white knuckle rides in that car. So to see the history and records of a car like that really connects the two eras for me. Thanks for posting.
Love the story! My first Porsche in 1991 was a 1978 SC Targa as well (in black). Had it for 10 years and outside of oil, tires and an occasional tune up, never spent a dime on it and didn't have any issues. I also think I sold it in 2001 for a few K more than I paid for it :-)
Update: motor turned over, but the fuel line was leaking profusely. So before the shop is able to fully diagnose the engine, they need to ensure the car can retain fuel.
Took about a week to get a new hose & crimp the ends. Installing today & hoping for some more updates by weeks end.
So after about four weeks. The shop has continued to delay progress with the car. I’ve followed up each Thursday since the car was towed to Frank’s, but the owner Nick has stated each time that the shop is too busy right now to accommodate the car.
Had me curious as to why they even take appointments...
Luckily, I have a second appointment (scheduled back in December) with IPB-Autosport that I never cancelled. Scheduled for Monday 2/1.
I’ll have the car picked up Monday morning & towed to IPB. I’ve kept in touch with Ron at IPB during all of this & got him up to speed on the car. We are both in agreement that Frank’s service has been pretty terrible to say the least. If it wasn’t for them taking the car in a month sooner, I would of just gone straight to Ron @ IPB.
The communication at Frank’s is lacking by comparison.
He will give it a once over - front to back - and give me a list of what the car will need in order of priority.
Based on the condition of the car - he said he will be able to provide an estimate after a day or two.
01-02-2021, 03:23 PM
My 1978SC targa refresh
