longhitv

Can I get some thoughts?

I'm looking to make a lightweight semi-hotrod and have had a 912 and a few 356s in the past and figured I'd look again for a 912 project, strip it down and add a hot rodded 912 motor and it can be a fun hobby car.


However, a complete well-running 1976 911s with 180,000 km on it is available to me for $8000.

At the end of the day, I'm just trying to determine what is the best car to end up with.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Is a $8000 running and sorted 1976 911-S a better car to backdate a little and start with, or is a 912 rolling car worth the investment.
I have read that the 2.4 litre had a few heating /running hot issues and although this one is used regularly it does have high kms.
The prices seem to be increasing for 74-77- 911s.

Are they going up in demand over the 912?
Anyone have a crystal ball?????

davePorsche

i am not an expert by any means in doing this type of project.. my 2cents... I have a 912 . and a 911 .. in broad terms the 912 is just an older car - everything - is older. transmission, wheel well sizes, 4 cylinder engine, carbs , etc, etc. you have to love the 912 for what it is.

you couldnt come close to getting a well running rust free 912 for $8,000 maybe not even for $18,000- so that is something there too.. i have a hot rodded 912 - love it - but glad its my 3rd car as it is very tempermental..

nathan1

You can't go wrong for $8k so buy it and if you change your mind there is probably some profit in it... Mid-year cars historically got no respect and in return were priced low. Since long hoods are sky high mid-years have come up in value, especially stock ones with narrow bodies and original deco trim. Love mine...

GTgears

Sure you can go wrong for $8k. While he says the '76 is "sorted" and driven regularly he also says that it has high miles. That does not answer directly the question of whether or not this car has had the 2.7l engine rebuilt and all of it's weaknesses resolved at the same time. Sorted is just to vague of a term to know for sure.

If the engine has never been apart, then it's an $8k timebomb because when the engine gives up the ghost it's going to be a $10k job to make it right. While mid-years are finally getting some respect and on the rise recently, it better be a really nice example to be an $18k car.

Now if it has been rebuilt, and rebuilt properly, and the engine is already "sorted" then that risk factor goes down substantially. Then it's a $10-12K car that can be had for $8k and would be worth considering.

All this assumes a clean straight tub, with little or no rust, decent paint, decent interior, etc. To be even worth $10k, midyears need all those ducks lined up, and without pictures and a little more detail, "sorted" is vague enough that I wouldn't feel confident making a call on the car one way or the other.

And I already told the OP on his Pelican thread to get a 912 instead, for reasons completely unrelated to what this particular '76 911s may or may not actually be.

Regards,

Matt Monson

PelicanParts.com

Crystal ball, no but this sounds like a positive purchase from your remarks. Any further details on this particular S and its maintenance history especially in regards to engine?

longhitv

has bills and service history. Original miles, Never been rebuilt. 189k miles. Was looking at it today , runs great.

GTgears

I stand by remarks. 189k mi on a never rebuilt 2.7? That's a rebuild right around the corner.

nathan1

I agree that if a 2.7 has never been rebuilt at 189k it is on VERY borrowed time. I would honestly suspect that the seller doesn't know if it has been rebuilt because the odds are VERY low it hasn't had some significant work if its truly running well (of course that is subjective since none of us have seen it).

I only disagree on your valuation that its not a good deal at $8k. A cars value is not simply the market value of a solid engine example minus rebuild costs. That makes logical sense but a rebuild would cost more than $8k, but that doesn't mean the car is worth zero. If the car is straight, rust free, complete and runs and drives its worth $8k all day long. I would argue its value is at least the parts value of a car, I see $8k all day long. Now of course never forget its all conjecture since we have not actually touched the car, the shades of gray are really what puts the final touch on values...

GTgears

Nathan,
Be careful about putting words (values) in my mouth please. I reamed a guy earlier today who used such ridiculous subtractive math on a car I am considering selling. As I said above, is this $8k car with a $10k (what it costs to do a 2.7 right with all the added machine work of pinning, align boring, and time getting one MUST do on a proper 2.7 rebuild) worth $18k? If so then there still isn't an issue with the buy at $8k. But I don't see $18k Midyears. I see $12-15k in cars like this.

Now that doesn't rule out coming across a decent 3.0l engine for $4-5k to replace the 2.7, you set the numbers matching engine for someone else to rebuild later, and you've got your hot rod Midyear for $13k and should have no problem getting back out of it for that.

I guess it all goes back to that adage of they are all $20k cars, it is just a question of whether you pay $20k today or your spread it out over the next 3-5 years.

Unless Midyears are your personal thing this car does NOT fall in the too good of a deal to pass up category.

davePorsche

Of course it is POSSIBLE being from vancouver this car will only get driven 2K miles per year.. and the engine has 6K miles left in it ? meaning you could drive it for three years before worrying about it.

GTgears hit it.. every car is going to cost you .. 20+K just a matter of how you get there.

2 more cents. buyer states he wants to build a hot rod - to me this means he has plans to put money in it and make it something he likes.. no intention of driving as is for five years. so as a starter car for a hot rod .. id see putting money into this to get to 20K than a 912 -- you will get to 20K pretty fast with a 912 and not have near as much car .. unless having a vintage 912 is your goal..id do the 911S.

Mr Michael B

Are those "SC" flares on the rear of that car? Sure does not look as demure as a 911S flare...

longhitv

It was originally lime green and from Wisconsin. Came into Canada a long time ago with a repaint.

e90steve

If you pass in the 911 would you mind sending the info my way. Pretty much exactly what in looking for. Good luck with everything. They are both fun cars.

CDLVancouver

chris? haha...we used to be neighbours in cottonwood!

longhitv

I did buy this 76 Car a while ago.
The Previous Owner(s) had maintained it and there is a file folder 3 inches thick with receipts dating back to the 80s.
Turned out there was a stack of receipts with engine rebuilds and replaced sleeved headbolts. The car has had the thermal reactors long gone, and replaced with the european heating system and a SC exhaust.

The paint polished up ok, and I have decided against backdating it. The carpet is being replaced as is new seats.
It will just be a nice presentable driver.