Refresh, restore or ?

[Dirty Marty]

Greeting Pelicans,

My bone stock 70 T has come to a point where I need to decide what to do with it after nearly 45 years of being my daily driver and weekend fun car. I'm at a crossroads as to which way to go. Should I refresh the engine and trany to stock, hop up the engine if so what do you guys out there recommend? Or should I just through my retirement account at it and have it restored to like new........I live in Fallbrook and the guys at CPR ,California Porsche Restorations, here in town say just drop the car off and leave a blank check and we'll have it back to you in a few months. They do phenomenal work but you pay for it.........

Dirty Marty
Fallbrook Ca

[proporsche]

the question is does it need it at all?;-))

Ivan

[Jdub]

First off, lovely car and color as well. Next, Sweet Jesus in the Morning Dew you are going to drop a helmet, surfboard edge, or similar onto that car my friend! Don't wait for it - protect that car from that garage first thing!

Next, I would perform a rolling restoration on that car in an attempt to keep it as absolutely bone stock as possible. Separate the car into "modules" of work: Brakes / Suspension / Engine / Trans / Paint / Interior, etc. and write down what you think is amiss and what bothers you about those areas. Then use an Excel sheet, or whiteboard with Trello or similar (available free) to figure what you can do and what your wallet will need to do.

But yeah, for sure - I would not hop it up but keep it stock. The value should you flip this car for say an S or SC for heavy mods will balance in your favor. Again, lovely car and best of luck!

[Dirty Marty]

Thanks propoorsche and Jdub.....good advice. In the interest of transparency I screwed up 4th and 5th gears and the interior is very tired. There are some severe paint cracking spots as well as chips and other use issues that come with nearly 600K on the chassis. ........

[quickxotica]

600k miles! You, sir, are a hero.

I say go with your gut, but I'd keep it visually stock and fix only what must be fixed for safety, reliability or to restore its original functionality (which you clearly enjoy).

Again, good for you for driving it 600k miles.

[brshap]

If it were me (and assuming I could afford it) I would drop it off at the shop and do a nut and bolt, stock, full restoration. That car has given you 45 years and 600k miles of joy. Give it a day at the spa and then do another 600k.

[Locker537]

I like cars with character and signs of use, so I would go with "refresh" and keep enjoying it versus a full restoration.

[Showdown]

If it were mine, I'd just fix what was broken, assuming something is, and leave everything else as-is.

If you have the itch for a hot rod or another project, sell this one.

[proporsche]

Marty..as the boys said i would also do what is necessary..Your 911 is in Ca,no body rust and 600k is a plus,fix the transmission and whatever you have to..keep it stock it is jewel...

i just need anot 105 k to catch up with ya;-)

Ivan

ps..one thing i`d do..get the black plates;-)your must be from 1984 or so or?

[Dirty Marty]

Thanks to all you guys that responded out there.......I think I will go the sane and realistic route and do the rolling refresh on everything rather than the restoration and hot rod route......after all it's only original once. Again, thank for keeping me from doing the foolish testosterone leap into insanity.

Dirty Marty

[jjeffries]

I’d get the interior pro-restored using extra-good materials.. Comfort and cockpit appearance make all the difference. Get a trustworthy and competent shop to either do a mechanical refresh, only as needed, or for you to take your components to.
Leave the outside the way it is; replace the windshield if it’s pitted. Painting a car can be the kiss of death to enjoying it.

That’s the perfect plan!
John

[famoroso]

Sent you a PM. I have some experiences to share if you are so inclined.

[Cairo94507]

Beautiful 911. Love that you have driven it 600K miles over 45 years. I too come in on the side of mechanical, rolling restoration. Unless there is rust and body damage I would not touch the paint. If it needs new rubber seals, interior, do all that. I would do full suspension restoration, brakes, all lines and hoses and complete engine/transaxle. That car has given you 45 years of terrific service and deserves to be treated to a refresh. Have fun and good luck. Oh, yeah, please post pictures along the way.

[Dirty Marty]

Thanks Again everyone, Solid and Great advice. For the record Im pulling the engine and trans out in the next few weeks. The transmission will be going to a shop for a rebuild as I screwed up the 4 and 5 gears and from there the engine for a little tune up and reseal. From there I'll handle the rest of the shade tree stuff like I have for the last 40 odd years. Curi0us does anybody know if somebody ever made it to 1,000,000 miles with a 70s 911. No that would be a record!!

Dirty Marty
Fallbrook, Ca

[porsche930dude]

I agree with the others do mechanical properly and interior where nessesary but dont ruin the character it has acquired. Might as well buy an already restored one if thats what you want. It looks to have aged well. Maybe could use a buff?

[FloydPink]

What a beaut! I hope that’ll be me in 500k more miles with my 86

If you do decide to get some paint correction done, I highly recommend Derek Bemiss (detailwerks). He’s based in OC and did a phenomenal job with my black paint. Mobile too, so he’ll come to you.

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by Dirty Marty

Thanks propoorsche and Jdub.....good advice. In the interest of transparency I screwed up 4th and 5th gears and the interior is very tired. There are some severe paint cracking spots as well as chips and other use issues that come with nearly 600K on the chassis. ........

I’ll just never understand people and their garage queens.