Requiem for a Targa
 

HVAC in the house went down yesterday, repair guy can't get out until 1230. Around 1400 he has the goods on my system, about $500 clams for a pressure fluxerator.

I decide, since it's cold but sunny, to take the Targa back to work. I live in a very rural area, with series of narrow country roads leading out to the highway. About three miles into the journey, on a very narrow, curvey and undulating stretch, a car gets into my lane, maybe a foot and a half over the double yellows. Unfortunately, I was right on the line, just loping really, the car wasn't even warmed up and the tires were cold. I was going 55 in a 45.

I only blame myself, not the other car. On an ordinary day I would have been fine. The combination of cold tires, cold road and my correction got me sideways, then on my side, then two impacts with the dirt hill on the opposite shoulder and then back upright. I may have bitten the lip of the road (no shoulder) on my side, but I couldn't find any evidence.

Since the road the very up and down, the other driver never saw me crash. The interesting thing is that, even with my exhaust impinged, the car started and I was able to limp off back down the hill. The throttle linkage barely worked, but it was enough. There were no other cars involved and no other cars came by until I got the car off the road.

I'm fine, the car will be totaled by USAA. I am simply sick about the loss of a very cherished car. I owned the Targa for three years, put over 40 thousand miles on it and loved every minute...no mechanical issues at all, not a one.

I was talking with a good friend of mine a hour or so ago and (he owns a convertable) and I mentioned to him that there have been moments in the Targa, Spring day, Dire Straits blasting, wind and sun in my face, when all was right with the world.

Again, my fault and I am not maudalin at all...ok, a lot of saddness. I will say that if any 964 owners need my spares, car cover or any other incidentals, PM and they are yours for the price of shipping:cool:

I seemed to have touched every panel on the car, wheels as well. It's a gift.

Edit: It snowed today. Yesterday was beautiful. Also, not sure of the mechanical, front oil cooler ruptured.


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That's too bad. I'm glad you are alright.

That sucks Seahawk! Once the dust settles, maybe you might want to buy it back and make a project out of it as it appears to be a very nice well kept example.

+1 Glad you're OK. Sounds pretty hairy, but cars can be replaced.

Thanks, Tim...I wish I was up for the project, but the first estimate from the USAA folks, without mechanicals, is over $20k.

I know:eek:. Salvage is estimated at 3 to 4K.

Damn shame Seahawk. Sorry to hear it.

Glad your ok.

But can't you just buff that right out?

Damn Paul, glad you're ok. The answer is obvious, of course. Transplant your 3.6 into a longhood and the 964 will live on!

The important thing is that no-one was hurt - it's just a car. You can get a new one.

To help ease your pain of looking at a wrecked car everyday, I will give you 3k for it and pick it up tomorrow. Do we have a deal? :)

+1+1!!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat3.gifhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/clap.gif

You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner! Or find a nice 76 or 77 tub and toss it all in there (er, most of it.)

Thanks, Matt. I just feel so stupid I didn't pull it out.

Gogar: You are bad man! If you get some time in DC, come on down!

glad you are undamaged.

I know where you could get a nice 914 shell to drop the drivetrain into...

Also glad to hear you are okay... "on your side"? that must have been hairy!

Ouch! very sorry to see the end of such a beautiful car, what a great color! like a june bug.

glad you are OK and can look forward to something new.

if you can get it back at $3K salvage, do! I'll come down and help pull it apart over a weekend.

keep us posted on the search. I know of an amazing 97 C4S up here.

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Sorry to see this happen, it was a nice car.

Is most of the damage limited to the body panels?

Could be fate calling you to replace it all with carbon fiber and fiberglass body parts. Would be like an extra 50 hp or more for free and better braking.

When life gives you lemons, make some lemon-aid.:)

Thanks, George...at this juncture, a project is impractical but not improbable;)

So a 959 body kit is out of the question?

Just kidding.

Good to know you were un harmed. The car took good care of you during the accident. Glad no one was hurt.

Sorry for the loss.

Seahawk - glad to hear you were not hurt.

Would that top fit a 77?

while we are on it, would an engine and the trans fit?

Just asking...

Don't know, Mike...you find out, I'll work it for you!

The Top is perfect, BTW...and it couldn't go to a better guy:cool:

Sorry to hear about the car. What a great color too.

My advice would be to take the ins. cash (after you talk them into a fair deal) and find another 911. After the motor gave way on my 86 cab, I sold it, and thought I'd be ok without one in the garage. Yeah, that didn't work.

The 3.6 transplant into another car might be a good idea, but like you said, if a project isn't pratical, then maybe buying the car back from USAA and selling it to someone here, could be a good option.

In the end like you said no one was hurt, thats the most important thing.

Bill

WHAAAAAAT??? You're gonna lose your girl?? Damn that really sucks. I'm so sorry to hear this Paul. I too am glad you're OK, but that won't bring it back. My sympathies buddy. I know the lonely feeling all too well. At least you have those memories. You like me, will own another some day. I saw Coppala's car on ebay yesterday. Got about 50K?

*****. I just saw this. Hope you're okay, Seahawk. And I hope you don't experience grief over the valuation thing with the insurance company. Most important thing by far.....you're okay. You're okay?

Yes, very nice color. And yes, the car protected you. As you may well know by now, these little cars are pretty tough. Much tougher than any other little car.

You gonna be in Seattle in February?

Most importantly, glad to hear you're OK.

Your comment reminded me of that scene in Days of Thunder, where Tom Cruise's character finishes a race, but bashes in all but one body panel in the process. His angry team owner kicks a dent in that last panel, for sake of completeness.

Thanks...I feel fine. Since I wasn't going fast and hit the embankment going backwards, I wasn't tossed around to much. I feel like I used to after HS football games...sore.

USAA has been a great insurance company in the past, hopefully they'll continue the string.

Looks like I'll be in Seattle late Feb, early March. I'll PM you when things settle in.

Glad to hear you are ok. We can buy cars (like airplanes) so your getting out ok is the important part.

Joe

Bummer. Most important thing is that you're ok. There's always another car out there...especially targas - they're a dime a dozen :p

I thought I might lose mine yesterday. Trying to drive down from the Bay Area to LA in driving rain on the 101 fwy with worn RA-1s. I made it through 3 hours of driving about 50mph and dancing through the puddles, only to make it to a rest stop to pee and have the fuel pump die. A 240 mile flatbed tow later, the car was back in LA.

It really doesn't look that bad. I'm I missing something?

Dropping a 3.6 into my 77 with it's 4 speed would produce a very interesting ride on the track.

Paul - Saw the thread but didn't put two and two together until now. Really sorry to hear about the car but also glad it wasn't a big shunt and that you're OK. I didn't think it looked too bad either, but then again it's difficult to judge from a photo. Whatever you do I doubt you will be Porscheless for too long.

All the Best,

Mark

Lube,

Unfortunately, I hit almost every panel and have road rash on 3/4 tires. That plus the exhaust, front oil cooler, etc. runs right at $20k in parts and labor. The USAA folks mentioned that they felt that estimate was fair for the things they could see but were concerned about additional claims on mechanical/bearings.

I am not going to buy the salvage, but again, I have a lot of spares for road trips that I'll give away to a good home.:cool:

BTW. the salvage shouldbe 3 to 4K. The motor ran after the accident.

You had me at hello! hmmm, we should talk.

Sorry to hear that.

Glad you are OK.

On a personal note if the salvage is not too steep might be a pelican willing to pay you more than what the ins co wants to "buy" it for them.;)

I have had a few PMs on that subject and am more than willing to make it work if someone is serious and will commit, caveat emptor.

I would love to try and make the car whole (or part it out), but I retire in May and start work in DC, where I will live during the week, coming home on the weekends...with the farm and the horse boarding biz, the plate is stuffed.

To the earlier poster, the top will not fit a 1977 this top used roller locks.

That said, if you can get the top I would be interested in it. If not, are you looking for a 1991C2 Targa to replace this one? I have one and need to sell it to get a 993 Cab. Long story, but after moving from a 944 Cab to my Targa I decided that I really liked the total open air feel better.

darn, sea...always a tragedy to see this. glad you're okay as well..could have been much worse. speaking as the owner of another black 964, i hope someone does buy and restore her to keep the 964 living on..

I think that fuel pump was your buddy. New shoes are in order.



And I agree, there are more Porsches out there, but it is hard to replace your first love. Hold out for a special car, that does justice to your memories. And take it easy for a few days, until you get your sea legs back. Maybe get a massage or an adjustment.

Ryan and Dan,

All is well, thanks...I'll get back on the Porsche horse in a few years. The 964 was a great ride. Oddly the salvage title price was huge, in excess of $20K:eek:
Ryan, I'll be coming trough LR in a few weeks (early March) and would enjoy a few minutes of your time. I'll PM you when I know for sure.
BTW, your thread on you and your wife's recent experiences is inspiring in it's candor and honesty, very rare.