New 928 Owner
12-06-2011, 06:24 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
New 928 Owner
Hello, I'm Brad Artigue and last week I bought a 1979 928. I sound like someone at a 12-step program with that intro, don't I?
This is my first Porsche, and frankly it's an exciting thing for me to do. The car is a manual transmission version, black with an interior color that I'm going to describe as brownish orange (I can't find the actual color name despite looking). After a very long day of cleaning it up here's the story on the car and what I'm facing:
- Runs, drives but needs the shift "angular bushings" replaced (new to these terms being a lifelong FIAT/Alfa guy we had no such fancy names).
- Needs pretty much every ignition part since the stuff works but has reached the age of brittleness.
- Timing belt age (and cooling hoses for that matter) is unknown so it isn't being run any more until it all gets swapped out for new.
- Stinky gas leak from a bad hose.
- Tires are k-rap. They appear to be older than the car. Rims are perfect though, oddly.
- Cracked dash and broken cruise control armature.
- Issues with the rear hatch lock and the fuel cap is missing the lock cylinder.
- Faded carpet. Uh, faded to an intensely bright yellow from the original orangy-brown. Weird looking.
I don't think it was well maintained, I think it was made better than the folks maintaining it. A fortunate thing for the car that the angular bushing went to crap and they simply stopped driving it a few months ago, then it got keyed. Oh, I didn't mention that: the car was keyed. Badly keyed. Some kind of ex-wife/girlfriend misery left the hood and roof and some of the doors keyed. So there will be a paintjob to stock once it is mechanically sorted.
For me, a good project with the entry cost being reasonable due to the destroyed finish. I've restored several I-cars and am already impressed with the fit and finish of a 928. Just hearing the door close so solidly is an amazing thing to me.
The plan: get it back to a baseline of "stock" - as in, replace what needs to be replaced, get it all back to mechanical newness, then paint, get the dash and consoles covered in leather, replace that weird faded carpet, and enjoy it.
I look forward to sharing the tale as it progresses!
This is my first Porsche, and frankly it's an exciting thing for me to do. The car is a manual transmission version, black with an interior color that I'm going to describe as brownish orange (I can't find the actual color name despite looking). After a very long day of cleaning it up here's the story on the car and what I'm facing:
- Runs, drives but needs the shift "angular bushings" replaced (new to these terms being a lifelong FIAT/Alfa guy we had no such fancy names).
- Needs pretty much every ignition part since the stuff works but has reached the age of brittleness.
- Timing belt age (and cooling hoses for that matter) is unknown so it isn't being run any more until it all gets swapped out for new.
- Stinky gas leak from a bad hose.
- Tires are k-rap. They appear to be older than the car. Rims are perfect though, oddly.
- Cracked dash and broken cruise control armature.
- Issues with the rear hatch lock and the fuel cap is missing the lock cylinder.
- Faded carpet. Uh, faded to an intensely bright yellow from the original orangy-brown. Weird looking.
I don't think it was well maintained, I think it was made better than the folks maintaining it. A fortunate thing for the car that the angular bushing went to crap and they simply stopped driving it a few months ago, then it got keyed. Oh, I didn't mention that: the car was keyed. Badly keyed. Some kind of ex-wife/girlfriend misery left the hood and roof and some of the doors keyed. So there will be a paintjob to stock once it is mechanically sorted.
For me, a good project with the entry cost being reasonable due to the destroyed finish. I've restored several I-cars and am already impressed with the fit and finish of a 928. Just hearing the door close so solidly is an amazing thing to me.
The plan: get it back to a baseline of "stock" - as in, replace what needs to be replaced, get it all back to mechanical newness, then paint, get the dash and consoles covered in leather, replace that weird faded carpet, and enjoy it.
I look forward to sharing the tale as it progresses!
12-06-2011, 06:27 PM
#2
Nordschleife Master
Welcome to the forum!
Start with fixing the gas leak.
Beyond that, I suggest you approach with caution, restoration unless you are wealthy, isn't a viable option.
Start with fixing the gas leak.
Beyond that, I suggest you approach with caution, restoration unless you are wealthy, isn't a viable option.
12-06-2011, 06:34 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Welcome doesn't sound too bad projects are the most fun anyway. Good luck approach with caution as stated above. Have fun and ask tons of questions the posters on here know everything there is to know and are more than willing to help.
12-06-2011, 06:38 PM
#5
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
This is almost like a 12 step program. Our Jones is the 928. It is a great car and the most fun you can have with your pants on. I've had two 928s and the first one was a real basket case. It was a 1982 and it took me two years to get it into the condition I wanted. One day some guy walked up to me in a shopping center and made me an offer I couldn't refuse
I sold the darn thing and turned around and purchased a 1991 S4 What a great car. Take your time and I know that you will enjoy yours, and this board is loaded with lots of people that are more than willing to help with any issue
I sold the darn thing and turned around and purchased a 1991 S4 What a great car. Take your time and I know that you will enjoy yours, and this board is loaded with lots of people that are more than willing to help with any issue
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12-06-2011, 07:09 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
Welcome to the shark tank! Ask lots of questions with pictures when possible and enjoy the process. Everthing is pretty much still available and this board will always steer you in the right direction. Lots of good vendors (see my signiture line) and several good sources for used parts. Do the gas leak first then fuel hoses then the timing belt. After that all other safety and drivability issues.
12-06-2011, 08:45 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
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welcome Brad, you are a brave man and has a deep pocket i hope....if not
i would get the car running first with all new fluids, belts, grounds, fuse and relays.
then plumbing and fuel hoses and of course a tune-up, check the plug wires, coil and so on....
check all the safety stuff like brakes, shocks and steering so you can drive it and enjoy the beast,
cosmetic and accessories last i think you already know that and have fun.
Barry
i would get the car running first with all new fluids, belts, grounds, fuse and relays.
then plumbing and fuel hoses and of course a tune-up, check the plug wires, coil and so on....
check all the safety stuff like brakes, shocks and steering so you can drive it and enjoy the beast,
cosmetic and accessories last i think you already know that and have fun.
Barry
12-06-2011, 09:03 PM
#13
Racer
Welcome, and congrats on acquiring a 928.
I like to tell people that you don't buy 928's. You pay a fee to adopt them, then sign on for monthly custodial support payments and lots of grief.
Seriously, they are a pleasure to own if you have a nice set of tools, Rennlist for support, and lots of patience. Oh yeah, and as my 911 buddy told me when I bought it....Keep the checkbook handy.
Gorgeous car!
I like to tell people that you don't buy 928's. You pay a fee to adopt them, then sign on for monthly custodial support payments and lots of grief.
Seriously, they are a pleasure to own if you have a nice set of tools, Rennlist for support, and lots of patience. Oh yeah, and as my 911 buddy told me when I bought it....Keep the checkbook handy.
Gorgeous car!
