pettybird

Funny--the first thought through my mind was the Twilight Zone episode where William Shatner goes insane watching the monster pull apart the airplane wing in flight...

The Targa bar wasn't standard in black in '78. Also, when they fade, they fade into what this looks like. The chrome headlight ring is OK for the H4 kit that's on it--a little bling and 100% less paint work getting the rings to match the fenders.

Good find, especially at 4 grand. Yes, take it to get looked at and see if it's straight. If it is, awesome. If it isn't, you're in well enough that you can still make more than your investment by parting it out.

If you have an older M3 you know what needs to be done to vintage German iron... effort and cash.

Coldface

I've been reading up a bit on the history of 911 and did see that chrome was an option for SC, so at least in that department, I know the car is not jacked. I do want to restore it to as original condition as possible, so do let em know if you see anything out of the ordinary.

Oh, and I will put some $$$ in it, but nothing like these examples
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e34...30-m3-s38.html
or one of my favorites
http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e34...-back-now.html

Amber Gramps

Yep, car used to be yellow...

http://www.salvage-cars-for-sale.inf...UzNzg1NzU0MDU#

https://www.ridesafely.com/Inventory...yID=1012191043

http://www.easyexport.us/cars-for-sa...E_911_23673370

I'll take one in white:
https://www.ridesafely.com/Inventory...yID=1012195098

Phil Ehlen

LOL - the impact bumpers probably sved the drivers life! Or at least minimized the damage to the car.

ivangene

man, nice job on the M3 motor!

UberXY

Porsche restoration, step 1: ask Visa to raise your credit limit.

Wachuko

Where are you located?

Amber Gramps

I can see the gears turning in your head already.

Ed Hughes

I'm not so sure....was the engine running when this happened, and did it puke out all its oil?? Or, was the driver on top of the situation, and killed the engine immediately? This could be the key as to whether this buy makes economic sense.

To me, and it is only my opinion, but I'd have rather have looked for a solid roller for $6 or 7K as a starting point. A heavily wrecked 911 bought at $4K kind of scares me...

"Normal economics" go out the window in the land of Porsche. You can easily spend $15K on this and end up with a $12K SC. Good luck. Truthfully, I could give a rat's *** about making any money on fixing up a 911. It is extremely fun and rewarding, and will give you hours of enjoyment; I think you need to go into this project with such an attitude.

I can show you how you can spend $50K on a Carrera, and still have a car worth $15K on a good day, if I ever found the right buyer...
That is the extent of my knowledge here.

Amber Gramps

Dang! The white one went for $11,100. Now that was a good buy.

https://www.ridesafely.com/Inventory...yID=1012195098

Ya, Ed. That Targa makes me really nervous.

Coldface

I'm in Minneapolis area, so if anybody is from around and can give me a lesson on what the true good condition 911 should look like, I'd be happy to bring a 6-pack and pick your brain.

The interior is in fair condition (it got a bit of moisture inside from all the snow), and some of the panels are fitted so-so. Passenger door handle (the one that operated latch cable and you pull it to open the door) is broke. Some of the vents on the dash seem to miss the inner part of them that controls turning (or are they supposed to be that way?).
The driver's door closes and the passenger door is pushed back 1/8 of an inch (should be fixable via hinge adjustment), which prevents it from closing well.
The engine had plenty of oil in it and the car started, but I had to kill it when I saw the oil coming out quite fast. What is the purpose of this trombone pipe anyways? It does not lead to a cooler of any kind.

The front bumper is salvageable and the targa top will fit, once I figure out how to repair the little nut where the turn handle goes in. It was half broke, and now when I pushed it a bit further, it snapped in half.
As far as car color, I did note that it was yellow before (the biggest drawback for me). Whoever repainted it did a decent job, but there are still signs of yellow paint in hard to reach places. Where surfaces got damaged (edge of the door, door jab, front bumper), the paint is coming off rather in chunks (or chips). Figuring out how to blend existing paint surfaces with new acrylic will be something that I'd have to prep educate myself on.

A couple questions:
1. How do you prop engine cover? I did not see any prop sticks or hood shocks
2. Is there a place that sells mechanics for the targa top? Or just the turning nut pictured below.
3. How does the hood latch work? I think I'm missing a tong for it, can someone confirm please? aI had to press on the hook with my finger to open it. The picture on mine is attached.
4. If anyone knows a seller with a fender, headlight, both side view mirrors and the trombone oil pipe, let me know. Also, if someone could give me a ballpark on prices for these items, I'd appreciate it.
5. Any suggestions on how to make interior not smell like an old tent are welcome.


Let the fun begin

Coldface

One more, is there an online etk for referencing parts on Porsche? I'm looking for something similar to realoem.com

Ed Hughes

Go to the Porsche Website, under "Classic", you'll find what they call PET, which is the parts manual.

As mentioned earlier, make sure the credit limit on your CC is at its maximum.

The trombone IS an oil cooler. There should be hydraulic shocks on front and rear lids to keep them up. www.carsinc.com is where to go for Targa top work/parts.

Coldface

Thanks for the info. www.carsinc.com is classic chevy site. Do chevy targa parts fit 911 and if yes, from which model?

I am a stricktly cash guy. If I don't have money to buy something, I do not buy it, period. I worked hard enough to get myself out of the CC hole I got into 5 years ago, so now I do not even open their offer letters. lol, and I'm switching jobs to go work for a bank. Irony of life.

Ed Hughes

google carsinc and Porsche. There may be a twist to the url.

The comment was somewhat tongue in cheek-CC's come in handy for ordering parts, I pay mine off every month.