What to do? Advice?

[Rusty911SC]

I have been working on a ‘79 SC ROW coupe project. I bought the car a couple years and have been picking away at it since with plans of a bare bones outlaw hot rod. I have always wanted a 911 and this was a project that I greatly enjoyed sharing with my Step Dad since he was a Porsche owner/enthusiast. Unfortunately, my Step Dad just unexpectedly passed away. I have lost most of my interest in continuing with the project. It’s just not going to be the same for me.
Should I try to sell the car as a package or should I just part it out? Again, this car is all apart and will still require quite a bit of work.
Thanks

[Hulley]

Hi Rusty,

I'm very sorry to hear of your step dad passing, I completely understand the emotions as my dad and I were actively looking for a 66' Mustang to restore when he passed. I would step back and just catch your breath for a moment, if you don't need to sell, then don't, you may want to start the project back at some point as a way to honor him or relive the memories. If you have decided to sell and just trying to figure out the best way, then I would sell the car as a package deal, someone may want as many original parts as possible. Ultimately it's hard to say without knowing what all you have a condition of the body/drive train.

Again, my condolences and best of luck.

[EC900]

Sorry for your loss.
It would be great to finish tor project as intended if only as a tribute.
I too always wanted a 911/912 and it took almost 50 yrs to get one since my first car was a 68 VW Fastback my father bought me instead of a Beetle. Back then parts were scarce, expensive and mechanicals complicated…(no internet) when you can’t afford tools or find a mechanic !
I still find tinkering with the old 911 runner I have enjoyable, it’s mostly gremlins and it sure passes the time. Inspiration comes every time I open the garage.
Good luck. I say keep it, follow those dreams as your inspiration will return.
But if it comes down to Selling it off, do it whole which would be faster than slowly parting out over months/years waiting on someone to pick thru nuts/bolts, one gauge or one tie rod, etc.

[917_Langheck]

My condolences to you. Your loss of enthusiasm is understandable. How about switching roles and being the mentor/cheerleader to someone else on this project as a shared experience?

If you choose to sell, parting out likely makes a few dollars more, but then there is all the time dealing with individual sales and shipping.... so an all-at-once sale would be a lot easier time- and effort-wise.

[redridge]

How much is it apart? Sorry for your loss. If this project was more of about you and your step dad doing stuff together... maybe he would of like for you to finish it. Give yourself some time and maybe that fire of owning a 911 will get re-ignited. You may regret that you had a chance of owning one, but let it go.

Another option is to sell the project car and buy one that is less of a project...

[OldSpool87]

There’s lots of emotions here that none of us will truly appreciate. I would not make any decisions now unless you absolutely have to. Take some time. I’m sorry for your loss.

[Cory M]

Sorry for your loss. I would cover it up and wait a while if you can afford to and have room. Once it's gone, it's gone; and your passion for the project may come back. Working in the garage can be therapeutic and provide some nice memories and reflections. My father and I recently finished restoring my younger brother's 911SC, over 10 years after he passed. It was a basket case and was almost sold a couple of times. It sat for many years before we committed to building it, but once we began the enthusiasm took over and it was "done" in about a year and a half. I'm glad we didn't sell it.

[70SATMan]

When my buddy died, his widow was left with his SC. She came to me a couple of months later asking me to help her keep it running which I did from time to time. She drove it on occasion when my buddy was alive and then after he passed..

Then the Widow's sister expressed an interest in buying it as "an investment". Widow asked me what I thought and this is what I told her.. Might apply to you Rusty.

Aside from telling her not to sell it to her sister, I told her that she needed to figure out whether seeing the SC in the garage made her sad because he was no longer around or whether having it in the garage was somewhat soothing because of the constant reminder of the man. Coming to the realization takes time.

She kept the car for several years and only sold it within the last year or so.

There are two sides to the relationship you had. One is the loss which right now is raw.. The flip side??, you greatly enjoyed it before he passed, partly because of his enthusiasm.. Sounds like a similar situation.

[Bill Douglas]

If you are looking for advice. I think you should not be too reactive. Sorry your father in law has died and maybe he would have wanted you to complete the project. He could be watching over you enjoying the project, who knows. Leave it in boxes for 12 months and see what you think then.

If you are looking for offers, there is the excellent buy and sell section right here on Pelican Parts.


my vote is do nothing. It would be a shame to look back on this project and wish you still had the car.

[Cherry Bomb]

Condolences.

Lots of good advice already. I agree with stepping back, looking into your future with this 911....don't be hasty!

God Bless

[ant7]

Originally Posted by 70SATMan

When my buddy died, his widow was left with his SC. She came to me a couple of months later asking me to help her keep it running which I did from time to time. She drove it on occasion when my buddy was alive and then after he passed..

Then the Widow's sister expressed an interest in buying it as "an investment". Widow asked me what I thought and this is what I told her.. Might apply to you Rusty.

Aside from telling her not to sell it to her sister, I told her that she needed to figure out whether seeing the SC in the garage made her sad because he was no longer around or whether having it in the garage was somewhat soothing because of the constant reminder of the man. Coming to the realization takes time.

She kept the car for several years and only sold it within the last year or so.

There are two sides to the relationship you had. One is the loss which right now is raw.. The flip side??, you greatly enjoyed it before he passed, partly because of his enthusiasm.. Sounds like a similar situation.

[Rusty911SC]

Thank you all for the condolences and sound advice. My Step-Dad Paul will be missed by the Porsche community, especially here on Cape Cod.
I am certainly overwhelmed right now due to his passing and the thought of finishing this project by myself. I have a Boxster that he was instrumental in helping me locate and acquire. While it’s not a 911, I do think of him every time that I drive it and imagine him sitting next to me saying as I bang through the gears with the top down- “Now this is what life is all about”. RIP Paul.
Thanks again.

[lateapex911]

It's always really really tough to lose a loved one. When my mother passed, it took me a couple years to get to a good place, and I honestly made some decisions that (or didn't act quickly enough) that were unwise. (And she would have been annoyed at LOL) But I was alone and likely others around would have helped in the process.

You've gotten pretty much unanimous opinions here.

If you are in the position to chill, do that and see how you feel in awhile when the emotional dust settles.
Your feelings might change.
ANd as for selling, yes, ultimately, parting out could yield the most $$$...but if working on it is too painful, then selling the parts seems like it would be dragging out the pain the most. You'll need to research values, advertise, deal with broken deals for whatever reason, packing, shipping and it can be a lot of work, especially if you have a job and can't be running to the FedEx place every day.

Selling as a package would be the quickest cleanest emotionally I would think.

Not sure if you have other family members involved or close enough to have opinions, but maybe if you do, they might have thoughts as well.

[75 911s]

I'm with the others on this. Just wait a bit if you can. you'll probably be glad you did.