pantera43

Hi guys, I could really use your help. I'm looking to purchase my first 911. I came across a strange find, a 1978 911SC with 9200 original miles. It has cloth covered Recaro front seats, sunroof, whale tail and no modifications or updates. Unfortunately the car has been parked in the elements for a few years. On a scale of 1-10 outside cosmedics is now a 5. The paint has totally faded and a few areas that have begun to surface rust. Windshield gaskets etc have all deteriated. Tires are dry rotted and flat spotted.

Now for the good things. Everything else is like showroom. The interior is mint. The pan is spotless and the car has never been driven in rain or snow. Just left outside in it. Ugh

Any idea what this car is worth and what problems I might run into with a car that has sat for at least 4 years, engine seals, rust on cylinders or worst.

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

smshirk

A 78 SC in excellent condition is worth around 20k. The PPI will likely reveal some fairly expensive repairs, plus a quality paint job is around 5k, unless you've got friends in the business. Depending on PPI I would add 5k for paint to the repair costs and not plan to have anymore than 17k total in a repainted 78 SC. That would require the seller to take 10 or so for the car as it sits. If I were him I wouldn't sell for that though.

hoffman912

sounds fishey. no one just parks an sc with 9,000 miles on it.

J. Brinkley

ahh, the voice of reason

epbrown01

If it were a Ferrari I wouldn't bat an eye, but it's uncommon for a Porsche - though not unheard of. What's more significant is that the car has been neglected, and the only thing that can empty your wallet faster than a neglected classic is a bitter ex-wife. Move on and fine a car someone cared about - that's more important than mileage or age.

Emanuel

earlyapex

I agree. This car was left sitting for a reason. Cosmetic issues are only the tip of what is very likely a money eating sink hole. SC's were made in such numbers that they aren't collector's cars.

Now if you're still interested and the car actually runs, get it over to a trusted Porsche shop and have them do a complete inspection. I suspect the odometer has turned over. Make sure the VIN matches. Surface rust usually means there is rust in other less obvious places. The mechanicals are all suspect since it has been sitting in the elements for so long. I recommend the Peter Zimmerman book, "The Used 911 Story".

For reference:
Porsche Market Letter pricing for 78 SC
Low - $7,500
Median - $13,996
High - $ 22,500

I'd start at the low figure and start subtracting how much it would cost to fix each item discovered during the inspection.

What would I do? I'd walk away and keep looking. You can use your local Porsche shop, The Porsche Market Letter, Auto Trader, Craigslist, Rennlist, etc. to help you find the right Porsche for you.

smshirk

Everyonee else is probably right. There is some reason this car appears to have been sitting outside for so long. I have seen this sort of thing to be legit though. I had uncle who left a 50's Studebaker pickup truck sitting for 30 years until he died. He went blind and couldn't drive, but refused to get rid of it. The owner could have a good reason

pantera43

Guys, I do understand your suspicion but the car is legit. Its one of the strangest things I've come across. I met with the owner today and it does turn out the ex wife owns it through a divorse settlement. She was truthful and mentioned cutting her nose off for spite and now wants it gone. I wouldn't be able to get a PPI due to the fact it has no plates or insurance. As I've learned from this forum no PPI no sale.

Its ashame because underneath the surface it really does look like a new car. As I mentioned the interior, pan, fenderwells and engine are spotless. Defintely not retouched with undercoating or engine steam cleaning or any of the typical used car dealer tactics.

I guess I wanted to hear the voice of reason to walk away from this. I do have a weakness for trying to save this thing but at the same time I don't want to have to save myself from it.

I guess I'll keep looking for the right 911. I really appreciate your your input and I've learned alot from you guys and the forums.Some lessons are best not learned from experience.

Many thanks, Pantera43

J. Brinkley

you never said if it runs or not, or what she wants for it. Could you steal it for cheap?

smshirk

Where is it? Ifr not too far from me, I would like to go look at it.

hoffman912

how do you know its legit? cause the person that owns it now says so? what is his proof? how long has he owned it? any paperwork?

dont trust it unless you have physical legal proof in hand

Bill Gregory

The other thing to keep in mind is if it's been sitting for quite awhile, the gas is probably way bad, which is especially not good for a CIS engine. That could mean, for example, a new fuel distributor, which isn't inexpensive.

hoffman912

not to mention it probably needs a freshen up on engine. rings are probably ruisted, and who would want to trust those valve springs after sitting so long (probably have rust on them as well).

JCP911S

Ditto... a higher mile car that is run regularly is likely to be better than one that has been sitting unused.... are you buying a story or a car? In my uneducated opinion, unless you can steal this car for $6-7K, I'd spend $12K for a really nice clean driver.

itsme-itsme

You'll have 20K in this car in no time. For the same money, you could drive off in a well documented car with a smile and few worries. Do yourself a favor and pass.
But if you buy it, keep us informed on progress and cost. Should prove to be, (nothing personal) entertaining in a sad sort of way.