Help with decision about my '78 911SC

[eubanksae]

Hi,

I have a decision to make about my '78 911SC Targa, and I'd like to bounce it off folks here to see what thoughts you all have. My car has been sitting for about 6 years (since my first child was born).

I recently got a job with NATO in the Netherlands, so in a couple weeks my family and I will be leaving the states for 3-6 years. My intent was to get my car running and leave it with my parents in SC to run occasionally, however, after getting the fuel system in order, new lines injectors and rebuilding the fuel distributor, my mechanic tells me that he wouldn't do anymore to the car because the lower engine needs a rebuild. That its leaking oil and smoking a ton and isn't drivable. He believes the seals are shot from sitting so long without running.

Now I'm almost out of time and I need to decide if I just sell the car as-is to someone (if I can find a buyer) or I trailer it to my parents and leave it there waiting for me to begin to tackle the project in 3-6 yrs...

I hate to give up on my car, and wish I hadn't let it go so long... What would you do?
I appreciate any thoughts or advice.

Thanks,
Andy E.
Lakewood Ranch, FL

[timmy2]

Smoking a ton after a long hibernation is quite normal. May take days of full operating temperature runs to clear up...
How many miles on the engine?
Is your mechanic an air cooled Porsche specialist?
Likely just needs an “Italian tuneup” after being parked so long.
If you can, have someone that specializes in air cooled Porsche’s take a look at it.
If the engine is done, and you don’t need the $$, park it until you return.

[tmaull]

I had mine off the road for six months while I did the suspension, and outside for about three weeks. Smoked like a chimney for the first few miles. Was quite disconcerting. But then a few weeks later I drove it from Columbus Ohio to Exeter New Hampshire (850 miles) and it ran like a top.

[Ian Comerford]

I would put it in a container and take it to Europe. Run it there, enjoy it and deal with the issues as they arise. You might find that some of the issues are a result of lack of use and actually reduce or go away with use. If not there are plenty of good places for fixes over this side of the pond.

[Bill Douglas]

Just my opinion...

DO NOT SELL THE CAR!

You'll spend the rest of your life saying "I wish I never sold that car."

So do anything, just don't sell the car.

[Bigtoe32067]

It’ll cost twice as much to buy the same car back. If you can then put a cover on it, drain the fuel and leave it at your folks place.
Gives you something to do when you get back and if if then you decide you don’t want to deal with it then you can sell it and get more money likely then you’d get now
Think of it an interest bearing savings account in the interim.
Plus your European NATO pals will think it’s cool that you own a 911 back in the states.

Just my thoughts

[sugarwood]

100% sell the car.
You don't have time for this car, nor will you in the future.
Don't burden your parents with your hoarder bull****.

Plan A: Sell it. Move on.
You have 2-3 weeks to find a buyer.
That is plenty of time if you don't get in your own way.

Plan B: Let it rot in the garage for another 30 years.
After you die, your children will drag it out of the ground and sell it to some guy for scrap.
Internet sees pics and says, "What a shame. Another hoarder destroys what was once a decent car"

FOMO is the worst reason to keep a car. And what FOMO?
Either way, odds are, you're never gonna be driving it anymore.
Once the car becomes a trophy paperweight, it's time to sell.

Get a little scale model and put it on your desk, it will accomplish the same thing.
You can even wax the scale model.

Most people need a reason to own a car.
That reason is often actually driving the car.

Would you ever buy a computer that you never turned on?
Would you ever buy a guitar that you never played?
Would you ever buy a car that you never drove?

Justified.

Why would you regret it? You barely even drove it.
What exactly will you regret? Having a giant paperweight in your garage?
I can promise you your only regret after selling will be not selling it sooner.

You don't keep a car because of potential value in 10-20 years.
Consider opportunity cost of money.
A car that sits for 10 years will just rot away.
Either start driving it or sell it.
Invest the money in SPY.
Buy another one later in life, if you want.
These cars will crash in resale value as Boomers start to die off.
He can always buy it back at half of today's cost in the future.
(See Model T, 1957 Chevy, etc)

Most people here will tell you that your SC will be worth $100,000 in 20 years.
Maybe even a few million dollars.

My opinion is not a popular one here, but do the math.

You can get a nice condition Model T for $5k these days.
How hot is the market for '32 Ford or '57 Chevy? These were $100k cars at one point.
60s Muscle cars prices have been on the decline for a decade now.

These are toys that rarely get driven.
Guess what gets sold off when people downsize or get laid off ?
Guess what people hold off on buying when they get laid off ?

Your 911 just doubled in value in 5 years.
It's a great time to sell when an asset doubles at the tail end of a long bull.

[Macroni]

Sell it.... quick $25,000 if it needs a rebuild.

[MIAdragon]

I may have a friend looking for a targa down here in Naples.

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

Congrats on your new gig. I'd keep it, especially if the parents don't mind you storing it there.

[Locker537]

It doesn't sound like you want to sell it. Do you parent's like the idea of having a project?

[yelcab1]

I agree with this "do not burden your parents with a non running car"

[MIAdragon]

If it has sentimental value keep it if not sell. It’s a bellybutton 911, you can find another when you return.

[boyt911sc]

Andy,

If you could afford not to sell the car and have a safe place to keep it while you are in Europe, I would keep it. I have a black ‘78 targa like yours that was sitting in my garage for more than 5 years actually 6 years in October. The gasoline was last filled in 2014 and forgotten under car cover.

Two (2) days ago, I decided to remove the car over and inspected the car. But it took me a year of procrastination to do it. It was running when I parked it but not this time. The battery was under battery tender and fully charged but won’t start.

Hooked a pressure gauge and the control fuel pressure was too high. And the smoke detector showed several sources of air leaks. Spent several hours fixing the problems including an engine partial drop. Too tired and called it a day.

Yesterday after breakfast with regained energy, went back to the garage and prepared for startup. The fuel pressures and air leaks were corrected but my concern was the old fuel. Never tried before using a 5 year old fuel that looks brown already. I wanted to drain the fuel but can not find big enough containers to hold 1/2 tank of gasoline. I decided to try what an old supply of gasoline would do this time.

First crank of the starter, no luck. Second crank and longer, still no luck. Third try, the engine started and stall. Fourth attempt, the engine roar to life and rev high and loud to 1200 rpm! I was surprised with gasoline more than 5 years old and with light brown in color could still make the engine run.

So putting your car in storage for 5 or 6 years is not that long. When I got back in the house my wife was asking why I was smiling and happy. My reply was that “I feel lucky and happy today”. The car has started multiple times since yesterday and could not asked for a better day.

Keep the car if you could and it will be waiting for you. I am almost 78 years old and might not be around when you get back in 6 years but there will be other guys to give some help. Good luck.

Tony

[BK911]

I'm a potential buyer if you decide to sell.
Email or pm with a number and we can chat.

[creaturecat]

you said you would hate to let it go. so don't do it. that part is easy
i would take it to Europe. truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
fix it there, fix it here. gonna cost less now, than 5 years from now.
don't know the importation process, however lotsa motorcycle folks run USA plates for years and years.
i'd stay there - if i had the option. Europe in incredible.

[Geronimo]

A full engine rebuild is going to cost nearly what the car is worth...

sell it and avoid dumping a ton into it.... besides in 10 years gas cars will be illegal to drive. lol

[Rodney Nelson]

Keep it. It is hard to buy another one when you want to. Especially with a family. Your wife isn't going to just let you throw down that kind of cash on a toy. You will never be able to get another one and as others said, prices keep going up.

I don't it needs a rebuild. I would get a battery tender, have your parents start it once a month or so. Or prepare it for storage, drain gas etc.

Just don't sell it!!!!! I know.

[Glenfield]

Yeah, I reckon hang onto it. If you get to Europe and change your mind, you can always sell it. Assuming you have nowhere else you need / want to park the proceeds of course. Good luck with the decision and the move

[Bob Ashlock]

Put it up on blocks, throw a cover over it. It will be waiting for you. You are going to have a great time in the Netherlands. The Dutch are awesome. I went there on a work assignment back in the early 90's for 3 years. Left my almost new BMW 325i convertible sitting in the garage and it was still there when I returned home 3 years later. I was really glad I did not sell everything, and could just kind of pick up where I left off. That car turned out to be the one I owned the longest out of all the cars I have had. You might end up with the same experience.