This is my first post as a rennlist member. I have been after a buddy of mine to sell me this car. It is a 1978SC Targa. It has been sitting on the street for the past 6 years..It has had a leaky roof and windows for most of the 6 years, is rarely driven, and is collecting a really good layer of moss. The paint is almost completely gone, the seats and most of the interior are completely shot, and I believe there is a good chance of rusted floors...... The good points are........It has been in the same family since new with no accidents and I believe I can get the owner to part with it for cheap considering its condition. I have extensive knowledge, a good shop, and have rebuilt several cars so 99% of the work will be done by me.

My question for everyone is this.....

Is this car worth it for a DIY restoration??

 

depends how much money you want to pour into a 13k car i guess . if you can get it for what you could sell the engine and transmision for i say why not .. sounds like the car is generally crap .. you might wanna find out why it was parked.

 

It's amazing to me but it is driven maybe once every 6-9 months..Mostly because of a lack of interest I imagine...It was inherited so I think there is a lack of percieved value by the current owner. Too bad.

Seems at risk for head stud breakage once/if it finally ends up getting back into regular service/use. ??

The floor rust is an assumption due to the fact that it is a Seattle car with a leaky top and window seals and has been parked that way with water on the floors........Is it likely that they have started to go? I can only imagine what is underneath the carpet and sound deadener/padding. Thoughts?

 

Here is a view of the other side. Looking at the bumper makes me wonder what condition the mounts are in? I also wonder about the battery box since he claims to have to charge the battery every time he wants to drive it......not surprising for a 6 month dormancy......It has probably been cooked more than once.

I also know that the windows haven't rolled up completely for the last 5 years, or the gaskets are gone completely. There is always a 1/2" gap at the top.

 

hell yea id buy it. but like theiceman says. it can take 1k or 20k . depends how far you want to go with it

 

Trying to use floor rot to convince the owner that it is now an out of control "downward spiral" of decay....just to get him to part with it....

What's the likelihood that they are gone after 6 years of being a fish bowl?

 

Hmmm.... It's a brown '78SC. Let me think. Who's got a brown '78SC?






Sorry, 5:00 just isn't coming fast enough.

 

Ha ha.

 

it looks a little more like Johns brown than mine .. it would not surprise me if the galvainized floors are actually fine. the pedal cluster however may be a different story.. the interior could be very expensive .. you could just buy and NOT try to restore it .. just get it driveable and have as much fun as you can and try to keep it running with your knowledge ..

 

Wish I could go the NOT restore route........It's not in my blood. I would never consider parting it out. I'm no stranger to gearbox rebuilds, engine rebuilds, mig welding, etc........so no project scares me... Been looking for a vintage 911 for some time that needs work...

 

max price to pay for something in that condition??

 

i didnt say part it out .. i just said dont restore it .. just get it driveable .. to totally restore that would take way more money than you could buy a decent one for.
before you can even talk about price you have to know the condition of the gearbox and engine . i would say if you can get in it and drive it around and it is solid ( which i doubt) i would offer around 5K max. however all hell could break loose a week from now

 

I know it will never be perfect, half way there would be good enough. paint and some interior work....Engine very likely needs some serious work. Any thoughts on the head studs?

 

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/2650333273.html

 

It may pencil out if you can buy it for $1. Otherwise, let somebody else drop a boatload of moneyvinto it.