Fantastic feedback in quantity and quality, thank you.
Let write that yes, I'm mechanically inclined, having restored several American cars. If something's possible for me to do, I'll do it.
I've received the info I was asking for in your replies and going through the stickys for newbies.
I'm going to check two cars out in the next week or so and let you all kind folks of my findings. If Ido go for a 928, I'll be selling my 1937 Lincoln Zephyr if anyone is interested.

 

Good to hear back.
Best Wishes.

 

Well it sounds like you are already armed and dangerous and an early 928 might be right up your alley. That Zephyr is gorgeous!

And I do concur, they are not mechanical nightmares, though I might have actually specifically said that verbatim in my other post. There is just a lot to do if the car was not really cared for by the decades of previous owners. The only initially challenging part of it all is learning how to access and identify everything at first. Really just a learning curve like any other car. This forum is well populated with folks that are not only well versed veterans, but great scribes as well. Almost every big time procedure that will need doing has a full "how to" tutorial buried somewhere in the archives. I hate this cliche but the search option and FAQ really are gold.

I know there was a little confusion about my engine being out thinking I was the OP. Had to replace head gaskets. REALLY had to replace head gaskets. I mention this for another point for new 928 folks. And I am about as much of a 928 noob as it gets as well. Find an excuse to pull the engine out. Any excuse. It was like a choir of angels singing to me when I got it out (which was VERY easy) i finally got a chance to just sit there and look around at everything in the engine bay and everything just finally made sense- Tracing back all of the various micro systems that keep the beast roaring along and how everything is routed and tied together. It was like solving a Rubix cube via the disassembly method because I could finally see it how it was all put together.

I've already hijacked the dickens out of this thread so I'll be brief-- here is the deal on my little garage that a few folks commented on... and if any of you guys live in Atlanta you will really like this. Oh yeah, it's pretty freaking incredible.

15,000 sqft, 2 lifts, pretty much every ancillary piece of equipment you could ever possibly need,incredible. But I don't own it. I'm just a paying member. A couple guys I met on Pelican came up with the idea of renting this place and offering people memberships to join up and have full access. 24hour keypad access alarm secure access etc... $50 a month. Really. You can store your cars there too for a little more which I wound up doing as well. I pretty much moved in. Brought all my tools, machines/appliances? (welder, hydraulic press, blast cabinet, engine stand etc...) Nice group of guys. Nice group of car guys and everyone is always willing to lend a hand or hold your beer.

Nice little lounge area too with full home theater and projector. Watching F1 on a 50 foot screen (a wall) is just spectacular.

I don't want to make this sound like a sale pitch though as I have nothing to do with the business end of this place but it's called OLOBA Rennsport. They have a site but I have no idea what it is so google it. If you do live in Atlanta and seeing this shoot me a PM if you want to know more about it.

Well, I guess I'm finally an active posting member here now so need to work on the ole avatar.

Robbie

 

Beautfully written, lots to think about.
OK, here's where I'm at. 1980, very rare, and I think beautiful Tarton Yellow, 67,000 miles, phone dials, body is unbelievably clean and straight. I saw it on a hoist, never an acccident. Originally a TX car. Timing belt & waterpump have been changed. Drives very well but it needs rear shocks and probably tires. The original paint has some wear and tear, ,usuall pealing around the windows and deck lid window. Clutch is good, starts and idles beautifully.

Should I bite and go for it??

 

We're dancing without knowing our partner.

How much is the price?

Zephyr, same question? I used to own a 37 Cord Beverly.

 

Was tartan yellow ever a 928 color? I checked the 928 Intl site, and that isn't one of the colors. Anyway, it may have been a respray; not a problem so long as a good one was done, but that affects originality. Also, the original paint in my experience does not normally peal. Instead, rust bubbles form.

 

Absolutely the original color, never repainted.
Price $11,500

My Zephyr is $19,999

 

Are you sure it wasn't Talbot yellow?

Is this the car?
http://north-shore-autosport.ebizaut...-13749186.html

 

Very unique color. I did not know that the factory painted those colors on the 928. But I guess one could order a car however one wished. I really like the color.
Also interesting to see a 5 speed with 15" phone dials. 16" were typical.
Overall, it looks pretty clean, although a bit more worn than I would expect for those miles (data point, mine is at the same mileage and still looks brand new except or some road rash; however, I had very god prior owners). Price seems fair considering the overall rise in early model prices.

 

All the input from these sage contributors helped me when I dove into the shark tank headfirst. They are your best resource on this car if you go down this road. Definately look up the stickies at the top of this forum. Lots of good stuff there. Definately a PPI before ANYTHING! This is were I made a costly mistake and overpaid on my car.

My 88 was in a barn for 10 years. It ran (barely), was low mileage (59k), with very good interior and exterior paint (not perfect but good). Picked it up for around 10k and i've put another 10k into it replacing all the hoses, belts, and everything in my signature line. Some I did, some I paid a local porsche mechanic to do.

Now I have $20k into a 20th century supercar that is as fast as an older Mustang/Camaro/Vette, but turns heads like none of them. Now it is very reliable and I drive it everyday the weather is good! If you are a handy mechanic, this car can be a satisfying conquest....or exasperating learning German engineering logic.

 

John,

I'm over in Mundelein and I've had mine since 2007. The short is I paid $4k cash and immediately put $5k into it at EuroMotorsport in Bensenville because I was not ready to dig in myself. Since then I've done everything from upgrading the brake and suspension to 87 parts to adding a supercharger.

There area bunch of us in Chicago but we don't get together often enough.

My dad had a 48 Continental Cab we restored so I appreciate that Zephyr.

Good luck.

 

Yep, that's her and you are right - it's Talbot Yellow. I'm new to these cars, I guess you can see. Thanks for all the input!

 

Thanks Tim, drove through your town last night!
I'm getting pretty excited about this car, but really need an opinion from someone far more knowledgeable than me. That being said, I want to buy this car. If I bought you lunch, could I meet you, or someone from the Chicago area from the 928 Club to look at this car with me?? Thanks in advance, the car is in the city near Irving Park & the Kennedy. My phone is 847-997-9944.

 

While I'm no expert by any means, especially on OB cars, I do live really close to that spot and would be happy to take a look with you.

 

Thank you, I'm going to be gone for a couple of days, but I might take you up on that offer. If it were a Lincoln or any Ford, it would be different - those cars I know but there is just something about a 928 that separates it from anything else on the road. I thought that when they were new and I think it's even more true today. OK, I'm in love, what can I say?????