My friend has found an '81 S auto, metallic blue/black interior
that has not run in 6 years.(sits outdoors) Leaky trans and " bad fuel pump" the owner says.
77k miles. Paint is shot, body is good, seats are good, dash is a gonner.
What should we offer? I am thinking 800 to $1000? He is a very gifted wrench
by trade and willing to tackle all the issues himself.
Once I see it I will take some pics and post

Van

 

If it IS REALLY a Euro S then there is some value to the engine......if it is a USA 81 there is not much there at all.....I can not help but think that most people would find the car to be lacking in performance once they get it running. But by then they have already invested too much time and energy into that project.

 

My guess it's not a Euro. Not many Euro's in California because of smog control and the grey market conversion in the day was expensive.
Also I just found out that it's on a used car lot in Richmond. No battery or spare
Tires have to be rotten as well and any other piece of rubber. More to come
$800 for a parts car?

 

Maybe $500 for a Lemons racer !!!

 

I just went to look.
California car, last registered in '96. 77k miles. All the tires are flat, one is a P7
Paint and interior is toast, typical 928 that has been basking in the sun for 15+ years
Part car or Lemon racer? Sadly all the bits are there, someone just gave up.
$500 is my best and final offer.
It makes your brown car look like a Pebble Beach winner

van

 

I personally, enjoy the challenge and reward of getting a much neglected 928 back on the road without getting stupidly upside down on the parts. Its not for everyone, but as a kid I grew up following my dad around wrecking yards in pursuit of his hobby, and the waste of the junked cars always made me sad. At $500, you have a little room as the car is perhaps worth something between $1200 and $1500 running. Not a lot of room, but it can be done. Enough for a new fuel pump, a new relay, spark plug wires, and a WUR rebuild. Tires you will have to find used, and your labor will be free.

 

As a none runner there is no way to KNOW if the transmission is any good or how bad the steering rack leaks or if the engine is any good at all....sitting that long means the coolant is shot and head gaskets could be as well.... And when IF BIG IF you get it running it is not exactly a great ride. It costs much the same to restore a desirable car as one which is marginal. It is best not to get sucked in because it is so, so cheap ! Also check the back registration fees, California can get really ugly !!!. And that car needs to be smogged !

 

If it is a Euro, wouldn't the intake parts be worth more than $500?

 

correct if it were an S cams, heads, intake, would have value. However it probably just has a 928s decal on the bumper and that has no value......

 

wouldn't be a bad idea to pick it up for $500.00 if you already have a 928, just a few parts here and there is worth that much.

 

Right but you must tow it home, have a place to store it as you scavenge parts (neighbors seem to hate this) and ultimately get what is left over hauled away....and odds are most of what your car "needs" will be what this car needs..... But a great way to learn how a 928 comes apart...

 

I agree with everything said here. I doubt if one has to pay back license fees if you pay cash and just part it out. My friend has the space and he is a full time mechanic.
But not a Porsche mechanic, only old Montero's. ( everyone has a weakness).
I gave him a ride in my car and I changed his life...we shall see.
It's an S as the owners manual and original doc's are in the glove box. Beverly Hills Porsche sold it in 1981. It must have been a stunner, now gone to seed. As I was driving home after looking at spiders and crawly things living under a leaky gas tank
what it was like in the spring of '81 to roll home in your new 928S. How cool!

 

Bev Hills Porsche would not have had an S.... best check the Vin # and an automatic is NOT the same as your 5 speed. And yes if you part it you need not pay registration fees however getting rid of it with no paperwork can be problematic.

 

Kinda fun to take one apart, although I do miss having a garage for the last two years, and like Jim said, any parts still good on it are likely the parts that are still good on all early cars so nobody needs a spare.

No title locally means an extra $75 to have the remains hauled away due to the need to cut the car in half before the scrap guys will take it.

As for Euro models in Calif, very common from 80 to 85 due to a favorable dollar vs mark and less pesky federalization, maybe 4k 928 in total, something like that in the US. After 86 imports almost stopped.

 

Ok everyone. I am going to walk away from this one. I have lot to do on my own car.
First is trying to find a set of rear Bilsteins...oh one of these days.
No 'S's from BV Porsche.. why is that? The owners manual was an "S" manual and the delivery stamp was where I got the info
Off to Monterey .....