I am inheriting a 951. I am both ecstatic and terrified. I don't really have the resources the own this car right now (I'm in the midst of starting a company and was TRYING to trim my expenses), but I can't pass on the opportunity - it has too much great sentimental value and frankly I just love the car.

So I'm hoping to find a good Porsche mechanic local to San Francisco that knows 944s and is willing to help me learn to wrench the basic maintenance items myself. In the past, I've owned japanese cars and motorcycles and am a mildly competent mechanic. I can read and follow a Haynes manual, but don't yet know the quirks of this car. I will say the Pelican Parts buyers guide is very helpful in that respect.

So does anyone have any recommendations?

 

hey welcome, and you will be going FASTER...

clarks garage website for 944s will be your next best friend to a local mechanic... in some ways better. not from area so good luck my man. BTW what year is car , color , mileage etc...? congrats and enjoy a true classic.

 

Also, I have found the factory service manuals to be really good from reading through them... you have to get used to the terms they use for certain things, but otherwise it is very straight forward.

 

Autos International in Concord. Most honest, reliable, kindest mechanics you'll find. Tell the owner, Gary, that I sent you, he knows me very well and will vouch for the fact my family has used him and only him for the last 20 years.

 

I'll also send out a recommendation for Autopoint Motors in Point Richmond. Art looks after a bunch of the 944Spec racers and knows the 944 platform really well. (He has a couple of his own as well).

He also built up and maintained our 25hrs of Thunderhill car

http://944spec.org/944SPEC/component/content/article/71

 

How about me?

I work on friends' cars for cash all the time, and personally I like it when they get involved and learn. I can do basically anything to a 944. I rebuilt my 968's engine in the driveway last year, that was fun.

Where are you located? I'm in the peninsula.

The only professional mechanics I know about are Vanguard motors in SF (good mechanic, charges a lot) and Heyer (I think somewhere in Hayward maybe?) whom a friend of mine told me sucks *****. I've never taken a porsche to a mechanic myself though.

EDIT: it wasn't Heyer, it was Bauer, and they're in Oakland not Hayward. Heard bad things.

 

Awesome thanks for all of the info, and especially FRporscheman for the offer. I may take you up on that.

I actually don't know much about the car yet. When I said "frankly, I just love the car" I meant 951s in general. I'm not one for flash, and this is about as "sleeper" as it gets for a Porsche. This one belonged to a very close friend and was the first car he bought with his own money. He's leaving the area, it's been in storage for years (to the point I've never seen it in 6 years of friendship), and wants it to stay in the family. I believe it's an 88 Turbo S that has had some light engine, brake, and suspension upgrades done. I don't know the mileage or color. I'm hoping to pick it up Sunday and can share pictures and details then.

edit: oh and I'm in San Francisco. Hayes Valley to be exact.

 

Sounds like a cool car! My dad lives in the richmond and I used to live in the excelsior, for all it's nuisances I still love the city.

 

This guy worked on my 951 and it promptly blew up






haha. Just kidding. He helped me fix a blown headgasket and get the 951 running gain.

And Heyer Performance is in Mountain View and that is a great place and the main guy there is VERY knowledgeable. I used to take my 944NA there. Now Bauer in Oakland..........well I've got nothing good to say....but that was a long time ago.........

 

I was going to say Arash, but he already jumped on it and plugged himself..

 

I can also be of service, I live in san mateo,

 

Hey Roger, glad to see you're still around! I thought that NSX took you away from us. Yeah, I meant Bauer, not Heyer, I'll correct my first post.

Will wrench for food- starving grad student.

kev, where about in san mateo, and what kind of porsche do you drive? I might have seen you around. We should meet up!

 

Arash, I bought your hatch!

 

I'm always free to stand around eat food and offer my opinions.

 

Haha, I remember you now! Chetori?