Coldface

Hey everyone, I am coming from a lot of BMW M-series car restores and jobs, and I've never owned a Porsche. I have access to a body shop and my F-in-Law is a mechanic, so we do a lot of work on cars ourselves.

I just won an auction on a 1978 911SC, which you car see below. I do not know anything about these cars, but hope with your help to catch up on them quickly. My question is what would be a good place/community forum to read-up on these machines and maybe buy some parts from similar minded enthusiasts.

Any help is helpful. Also, if you recognize the vehicle and know a bit of its history, definitely let me know cus this car is getting a full treatment.

ivangene

welcome
members here have access to the for sale forums - also try here:
LINK

so you bought this having no ideas what is involved or what condition the car is in.... or what?

what are your plans for the car?

Its an interesting way to get in an old 911... hope it works out for ya, love to watch the progress, post pics as you go

GothingNC

Looks like the trombone oil cooler is trashed...

Pelican Parts BBS is another active forum with a wealth of information.

Good luck.

John

ivangene

I dont know John, my thought is the oil cooler is the least of that cars issues...

to the OP, mind posting what you paid? (curious minds)

Coldface

Thanks guys, please do point out things wrong, as like I mentioned, I do not know much about what is involved with this kind of damage.
My plans are to have it fixed and drive it during summer time as a daily driver or maybe just on weekends. This one will replace a 1991 M5, btw.
Buying repairables is and was my way into getting in a lot of cars I cannot afford. With this one, it was listed as Run-and-Drive, the damage does not seem to affect critical parts of the vehicle, and I figure when you pay $4k for it, there's gotta be some room to fix it and not break the bank.
I'm picking it up from Madison tomorrow and know more what I need when I inspect it a bit closer, but for now, my list includes
(1) bumper
(2) RH fender
(3) RH headlight
(4) Turn signal ?
(5) trombone oil cooler.
(6) suspension parts ?

500

Certainly you may have a great time and learning experience with this car. But you will be surprised at how quickly $4K may turn into $20K+, depending on what level of restoration you envisage.

Before you start buying parts, you need to make a very accurate assessment of the what the true damage to the car is. You may want to consult a local 911 expert (and I mean bonafide 911 expert, not just a "German car guy").

The twist of that bumper hints that the tub might have had a significant load. Plus, the way the Targa top is popped out as well as the lower window trim on the passenger side suggest that there may be more serious damage. Not that it can't be dealt with, but get a very clear picture of what you're up against first.

These cars are worthless when only half-repaired. You pretty much have to decide to do it right (expen$ive, even doing all the work yourself) or moving on.

ricster

The twist of that bumper hints that the tub might have had a significant load. Plus, the way the Targa top is popped out as well as the lower window trim on the passenger side suggest that there may be more serious damage. Not that it can't be dealt with, but get a very clear picture of what you're up against first.

These cars are worthless when only half-repaired. You pretty much have to decide to do it right (expen$ive, even doing all the work yourself) or moving on.

^5 on this read of the cars condition, with the way the load was distributed, I am guessing the frame is tweaked

ivangene

is the title free or a salvage? that in the end (the day of selling) will determine a ton of what type of buyer will even look at it.

BUT - if done right and documented - full pics and specs on each "repair" a buyer might come up above one just "repaired back to perfect" as we have seen

Amber Gramps

It's the targa top that concerns me.

If it twisted the tub you've got a parts car at best.

Hope I'm just seeing things.

Look at the trim under the "Targa" in the last picture...it busted up the trim on the bar and the seal on the window. And...neither door is closed.

It's a Taco'd Targa

dshepp806

+1.

Doyle

dshepp806

+1.

Doyle

ked

pretty sloppy slantnose conversion...

anyway, this old 911 has enough questionable signs (isn't the Targa bar supposed to be black? non sugar-scoop headlamp rings), I'd suggest you post the VIN & engine # + lots more high quality photos if you want useful help for cheap. there's a saying we all know well - "all 911s are $20k cars, sooner or later". one could start w/ a 911 frame guy to properly measure all the key points (& examine for rust & additional accident history) before executing a plan.

911s aren't magic (though some have seen God from behind the wheel), but they are different. Good luck with the project.

GothingNC

I agree with the others, the tub looks like it is bent and a salvage title would kill the value if you need to sell.

How is the motor and transmission?

Might be better off buying this roller with a clean title and swap the motor and tranny plus you will have the correct fog lights.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...911-targa.html

John

Coldface

I'll take more detailed pictures when I have the car in my shop. It is a clean title btw and the odometer shows 70k miles.
My best case scenario is that the car was babied all its life, and some silver haired guy wrecked it on a patch of ice taking his Betty to a Dairy Queen for their 50th anniversary. All the mechanics are in good shape and it needs just the body work. The VIN is 9118210313, btw. If someone has Carfax or Autocheck and can run it, that would be great.
I hear what you guys are saying, but I've seen far worse wrecks live another day. We have to always fear the worst, but hope for the best, right?

Stay tuned.

rusnak

Good thing he didn't remove the bumperette "tumors".