Would I be mad?

[galenmoloney]

Hi guys,
I have posted once or twice on the 964 forum as I had a Targa which is now gone. I am looking to get something pre 1984 as that qualifies for historic rallying in the UK (its not as hardcore as it sounds more of a Sunday drive). To that end I saw this advertised.

The guy has owned this car for 14 years. It has had a new engine ( crank let loose) and has not run on the road since. I think he messed around with it / toyed with idea of putting twin turbos on it. It also has 928 calipers on the front and stock alloy wheels as fitted back in the factory.






I have moderate experience from dealing with electrical issues with the Targa and also through touching up the paintwork and refitting the interior but this is a different ballgame altogether although I have always wanted to do a full restoration (regardless of my lack of talent!).
He is looking for a moderate amount for it not five figures but very close. I would tempted to buy and rent a cheap garage and try my hand at the small things and get a specialist to do the big things, but would it be an absolute money pit?

[oilonly]

I smell money pit. JMHO

[galenmoloney]

Thanks, I am beginning to think that way, anything could be missing form the engine, widebody is just so tempting, I reckon I will give it miss and keep looking.

[oilonly]

Look at the way the owner keeps his work area, that might be a reflection on how tidy he is with his work. JMHO but I say buy one that is running and clean.

[IMR-Merlin]

My project car sat for 16 years, no engine or trans. Got it for a fair price, found the engine and then bought an 87 Carrera for the G50 swap and all the parts I was missing. Shooting for a <$25k build and I am doing all the work.

Depends on how deep your pockets are and what your level of experience is.

[mark houghton]

I think Merlin has the right viewpoint (Depends on how deep your pockets are and what your level of experience is). If indeed the engine is new (please be clear on what the definition of "new" is), then presumably you have no additional expenditures engine-related. But the engine is only a portion of the car. Is the suspension all intact, as well as the interior - and any missing exterior stuff that would have to be replaced?

You could very well spend $10K+ to get this thing road-worthy, and that's just a guess not knowing all the details of what you are dealing with. If you want a project car and have the experience, patience, and funds required, then go for it. But definitely do your homework and price out what's left to be done, vs. buying a 930 that's already good to go.

[oilonly]

You could very well spend $10K+ to get this thing road-worthy,

Agreed, plus the owner wants close to 5 figures so near 20k in cost plus now he has to put a bunch of time into it before he ever drives it.
For close to twenty k I'm sure he could find a nice running 930. Plus I'm looking at the above photo and notice a piece of linoleum rolled up on the floor in front of the car and I'm thinking is this what the owner had covering the car all these years? Doesn't look like a situation where the car was being put together right. JMHO

[mark houghton]

Looks like a rattle-can paint job was attempted whilst the car sat outside in the alley. Lots of stuff looks like it's missing....but of course there could be a pile of good stuff that's been carefully packed and hermetically sealed.

My advice, as I think on it a bit longer....."Run Forest, rrrruuuunnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[spence88mph]

Originally Posted by mark houghton

my advice, as i think on it a bit longer....."run forest, rrrruuuunnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

+1!

[twin plugged targa]

You could always offer half the value of the used parts and sell them off to buy another Turbo!
- Historic Rallying I would look at a NA porsche.

You could even look for a wide body SC or convert an SC to widebody.
If it does not have to be pre 84 you could always go for a 3.2 Carrera, probably one of the most realiable Porsches out there (all except my old one of course)

- My 930 looked 100%better than that from pics and I have spent over 10K euros getting running right!
Turbos are about twice as expensive to maintain than SC/Carreras in my (relatively) short experience.

I would not touch this porsche based on the pics!
However I am interested in the intercooler?