RedProphet

Hello all,

In late 2008 my mother inherited a 1972 911T targa when her older brother Vince passed away and I've finally convinced her to sell it, but I've run into a few snags. I drove it from his auto storage unit in Taos (New Mexico) down to Albuquerque last year after it cleared probate and I've been starting it twice a month since, but today when I tried the ignition it started to turn over for maybe a second and a half and then made a single, loud "clunk" and went dead. Waited a few minutes and tried again, same clunk, so I think I may have fried the starter (just my luck).

The other major hurdle is that the odometer does NOT register correctly, I'm 99% sure the car has about 50-75k miles on it, (it was mostly driven the same 75 mile stretch from Taos to Santa Fe since '97) but that's just a guess based on what Vince had told me before.

The body is in very good condition, I have a clean title for it, the frame isn't warped, Fuchs wheels, no major rust (that I can see, and I've peeked under the carpet and in the trunk), the targa top has been redone (new interior liner, comes on and off properly etc). The seats are original, the rear are in good shape but the front need to be recovered (the leather is cracked). The transmission felt fine on the drive down from Taos, and the engine never sputtered or died at idle, but that was the only time I'd driven it.

To cut to the chase, I'm a little lost trying to value it at this point, I've attached some pictures I took this afternoon, if anyone could give me a few ballpark figures I'd really appreciate it =)

P.S. I'd take a picture of the engine if someone could explain how exactly in the nine hells you release the latch on the compartment (I feel like an idiot for asking but...)

Ed Hughes

I'm not sure I can help you on the value.

I'd check the battery and connections before I'd assume the starter packed it in. When you open the drivers door, look to the exposed door jam behind the door near the latch pin. You'll see a T handle which you pull straight out to release the engine lid.

Car looks like it needs some TLC-maybe low or mid-teens if it is sound mechanically.

Ed Hughes

Make that really low teens....

ivangene

IMO you would be wise to go to a local independant Porsche repair shop and ask them to evaluate the car, then give you some idea of its worth and possibly post a for sale ad in the office of the shop. I see cars for sale all the time at the shop and they often hear of someone local "looking" and can match them up to the car. They can help with the sale because they know what type of buyer would fit that car. You might have to spend a little money for them to check it out (an hour labor or so) and then you also know more.... knowledge is king, if you dont know what you have, you could sell foolishly, then again if you "think" you have something you dont... you might miss the chance to unload it for what it is really worth

BTW - I think its cool looking!!

check the drivers door jam for opening latches? (if its like the later cars)

RedProphet

Ed - Thanks! Yeah, I'd guessed about 10 or 11k, it's got a pretty sizable "to-do" list on it. It's taken me the better part of a year to convince my mom that not every 911 is bottled gold, and that leaving it sitting in her garage does NOT increase it's value =P
*KNEW* that was the engine release, the handle itself seems to work normally, and I can hear it pulling what I assume is a cable on the driver's side under the door leading to the engine latch, but the latch on the just will NOT let go, thanks for confirming though I've only ever really worked with my GMC's and my old Chevy, so everything inside the 911 seems just ..... odd and out of place to me hehe. I'm going to go whisper sweet nothings to the pesky latch tomorrow and see if I can't get it open, maybe troubleshoot the ignition just far enough to see whether it's electrical or mechanical.

RedProphet

Ivan - I'd considered that, still am I suppose, there's a place in town I know that specializes in European restorations and does sales for private parties, but Albuquerque is notorious for shifty/shoddy mechanics and dealers, so I've always been loathe to trust anyone here with my vehicles. And I agree, it's REALLY cool looking! But I don't have the bank balance, time or know-how to put the work it needs/deserves into it, and it does NEED work hehe.

theiceman

restoring Porsches can be an expensive proposition ... if you don't have the bank ballance buying any Porsche could be a risky move .. why not just check ebay for similar years to give you a starting point.
have a buddy pull on the latch while you try to wiggle the dek lid . My guess its the latch mechanism is seized. it is an ingenious design that if you pull it it will open and if it ever sbapped it would open. so the little jaws that hold the pin in place for the lid are probably seized in place.
That to me looks like a definitely doobale project though ... I would take up thae challenge if the body is in good shape ..

whalebird

That car will take a lot of work.

Ed Hughes

Folks, just say no to drinking and posting. It is a dubious or doobale proposition at best.

theiceman

well you know what a "10" i s right ? ... a 4 after a 6 pack ...

whalebird

This is a drinking forum with a porsche problem it seems

Ed Hughes

Exactly. Picking the mint for Mojitos in a minute...two races on back-back.

sobamaflyer

Does drinking work on cars like it does in bars?

That poor little lady doesn't need passed out on the floor drunk but fuzzy eyeballs wouldn't hurt. If you are looking to sell it a few weekends of TLC might net you a bit more from the casual buyer!

What in heaven's name is the chain for?

theiceman

I was wondering about the chiain too .. figured it was some kind of bondage car .. which ups it's potential in my mind .. have you ever noticed threads go sideways faster than lifting in a corner around here .. wonder what the O.P.s think

HkPlinker

Is that like a Jewish "10"? Defined, it's a 4 with 6 million in the bank