Kij

My '87 951 has sat for over ten years. It is in bad shape inside and out. Could you members provide some insight into the pros and cons of restoring my old 951? Clearly I am a little attached to keep it for so long, but is it worth restoring and/or upgrading?

Jay Wellwood

Typically pics would be helpful to assist in forming an opinion. In this case, probably not (just MHO).

If its in bad shape in and out, depends on a couple of things (was it stored outside?). Is it a unique color? Does it have LSD? Why has it sat so long (broken t-belt, or...)?

Chances are better than average that you might be able to sell of some of the mechanical bits and get a little $.

Black51

For the cost of restoration, which sound like it will he high, would you consider buying another 951 in good shape instead? It's not a bad thing to have a parts car. Or you could just get rid of it.

CyCloNe!

If you decide to get rid of it please let me know... but I encourage keep it if you can start fixing it up, if you feel like it would be years before you touch it then it might be best to sell.

Kij

Jay, thanks for your response and insightful questions.

The guilt for letting it sit for so long keeps me from wanting to post photos, but I really need to get some taken regardless.It is fairly common for an 87 951. Zermatt Gold with black leather-ettte, no LSD, but it still has all the wiring for a doctor's cellphone and fax machine! No broken timing belt, it had cooling issues that led to a second warped head. I rebuilt it with a cold sleeved block about 14 years ago, and so it will surely need new seals after sitting for so long. It is currently in our garage, but it spent a few years in a backyard as I worked so much out of state.

I love this 951, it became part of my identity years ago... Perhaps that is reason enough to let it go? Making it a parts car would be tough as I spent so many thousands of miles in it. My wife would have issues if I were to bring another stray home, not to say that I wouldn't like another three of them.

Amazing how psychologically attached and pervasive the cars I drive become.

Kij

Black51,
I have test drove a few over the years, it is amazing how different they each feel.
I clearly have not been able to just get rid of it, I should have done that a decade ago.

Kij

CyCloNe!
I need to at least get the bits back together and try to start it up, see how much it bleeds.

Thanks for the forum therapy... I am gonna go get the thing started and post the before photos.

Black51

So it sounds like you've answered your own question... Let the rebuild begin!

t0mbo

I say rebuild! You can't replace something that was a huge part of your identity, so even if it's a pain and expensive I think it's worth doing. There's a lot more to a value equation than just money. To be perfectly candid you can always go get more money (geez that sounds pretentious!)- but you can't just get a new/different car and have the same result as rebuilding something that you love. More importantly we all love a good rebuild thread, so from a purely selfish standpoint I want to see you rebuild

Humboldtgrin

Porsche doesn’t make 951’s anymore. And Larts has done a number on them over the years. If it’s strait I would clean it up at least. Get yourself a small electric pressure washer and start cleaning it up. Call it spring cleaning.

Noahs944

Rebuilt it! I love the Gold ones. You are still attached. There are reasons for this attachment.

lart951

I can make you an offer you can't resist

CyCloNe!

All Hail The Parts King!