How ORIGINAL do you keep it

jrb964 · 07-31-2003, 12:16 PM

I've got a 80SC Weissach edition, Platnium in color. The car has 62K on it and is pristine condition other than needing some paint work on the passenger side and the whale tale. (And that is my problem) As many of you know this car is a limited production model, but in reality it's a standard SC with specific paint and interior. There were very nice cars, and still are but I'm after something a little more "custom". I've put in an alunimum flywheel and pressure plate; a Dansk premuffler, and solid engine mounts. Also, had the seats redone, and they came out perfect. I just wish there for more performance...but that's a different topic.

When the painting is done I'm considering having the whole car painted the same color, but with a little customizing, My though was to have the bumpers and rocker panels painted in a burgundy color to match the piping on the seats. The platinum is rather dated...and this might add more life to it.

My question I guess is will this distract from it's value or enhance it, or remain about the same?

Jadams1 · Jadams1's Garage

If I owned a Weissach 911SC I would keep it as original as possible. Even though it is only a SC with special paint, interior, spoilers, they were limited in production so that makes them worth something. If you change the color it just becomes an SC. Personally, I like the platinum color. Put a set of SSI's with a 2 in 1 out muffler and enjoy the 20 hp gain and keep everthing else as original as possible, IMHO.

masraum · 07-31-2003, 12:38 PM

I think I would stick with reversable mods.

Hetmann · 07-31-2003, 12:45 PM

It's your car. Why not do what you want to it? The next owner just might want to paint it black for all you know. I don't think the Weissach package adds that much to the value of a standard SC. The value comes from the condition of the car, its general appeal and care you lavish on it.

Danskman · 07-31-2003, 12:45 PM

John...
Very interesting to me that you start this thread. I have the same car as you, and it is absolutely original. I have only had the car for a couple months, but I've thought many times about "upgrades" I'd like to do. Then, I catch myself, and think that once you drill that hole, once you change that feature, it can never go back. The car is original only once. Other than replacing the "kaput" Blaupunkt cassette deck, and an exhaust upgrade, I'm going to keep mine completely original. There were only 400 made, 200 in each color, so it's almost like I feel a responsibility to the marque to keep it original, and preserve it. I thoroughly enjoy my car.

My next project is to get the seats redone. Who did yours, and what was involved?

Kemo · 01:01 PM

seems to me that there are a few "upgrades" that actually increase the value of the car, like the Carrera chain tensioner update. Plus, many upgrades are reversable such as bolt on exhaust items and turbo tie rods. Aside from doing anything major, it seems you could always go back to original pieces if you decide to sell. Of course you need a nice place to store all the pieces.

as far as the paint, i would think that original paint would be most desired by buyers. When you paint cars non standard colors you kinda get in a real gray area.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 07-31-2003, 01:01 PM

Cosmetic limited issues like "Weissach Editions" and "Indy Pace Cars" and "50th Anniversary Models" have never added appreciably to the value of a car on the collector market, though of course we're still decades away from SCs ever appearing as "collector cars."

I have an '83 SC, Wilkinson Edition, and my principle has been to not do anything that isn't reverisble with simple tools and to not change the sheetmetal.

Stephan

Phoenix · Phoenix's Garage

Have your motor rebuilt by MM to ensure you can never, ever go back to originality.

banjomike · banjomike's Garage

There's a guy in the local PCA who has a personalized plate that reads

VI SOK

Since you aren't in Calif, it might be available and it shouldn't affect the value.

Cerbin · 07-31-2003, 08:26 PM

I'd keep the car original.

Now if it was like my car (911 T, the factory had to De-tune it for gods sake), I have done everything that i love about 911's to my car that i can afford so far...in other words 'irreversible mods'. If i had a 911 S it would be a little different story.

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

John, Pimp it out, then you can sell me your seats, carpet, dash, & wheels.

Seriosly though, I'm dropping some major jack to restore mine. From what I gather limited edition cars are worth about $2k over a eqaully equipped models. I think these cars look awesome the way they came from the factory. I may buy some Fikses to stick on it, but I'll restore the original Fuchs & put them on after I get done with the restoration. I bought a OEM vinyl dash to put in while I have the leather dash restored. It crossed my mind when I bought it to pimp it but it was all original & worthy of a good restoration. I would at least keep it restorable because you don't know what will be "dated" twenty or thirty years from now. Look at some of the awful things people did to Pcars in the 80s. Research Miami Vice on this board & I think you'll get the picture

island911 · 07-31-2003, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jrb964
. . .. My though was to have the bumpers and rocker panels painted in a burgundy color to match the piping on the seats. The platinum is rather dated...and this might add more life to it.

My question I guess is will this distract from it's value or enhance it, or remain about the same?

Eeewwww!
Hell-yeah it will detract from it's value!

It's a very tricky thing to improve on the looks of a 911. What you risk is ending up with a car that looks like children designed it.

"platinum is rather dated" (!?) With the recent popularity of Platinum Metallic variants on Hondas, Mercedes, Lexuses (Lexii ?) . . . it may be a pedestrian color soon, but hardly "dated."

Hmmm, to steal from Mark Wilsons explaination on matter such as this:

08-01-2003, 01:25 AM

You go Island!!!!!!!!

Platinum is a beautiful, classic color. Painting the rockers/bumpers burgundy would look horrible/chopped up/juvenile/ricey/stupid/ugly/just plain bad. Just say no!!!!

Victor · 08-01-2003, 01:39 AM

Oh no, please don't paint different bits of the car in different colours. Leave the unsightly visual improvements/mods to Wayne and his "C-Type" 914!

IMO, ofcourse.

08-01-2003, 02:17 AM

I must agree that any 2 tone paint job on a 911 is bound to look silly. If you want to repaint it then please choose the same colour all over the car.

To me a Weissach SC is just another SC. Come on guys what's so special? A certain colour and certain interior combo. Even Toyota builds "Limited Editions" like that. Come back when someone wants to paint a Club Sport or even RS brown with purple stribes. That's when originality is important.

It's funny how I just talked to the previous owner of my Carrera about this whole originality issue. I repainted my white car in Arctic Silver, an original Porsche colour, but not original for an 84 model. I put black leather 993 seats (original Porsche but not for 1984) in and had the rear seats retrimmed in matching black leather. I put Porsche designed Cup (again not correct for 84)wheels on it, Bilstein shocks, lowered suspension etc.

The previous owner thinks I mad. I love the changes... My car looks so much better now yet still it stays true to the Porsche style and spirit. What's wrong with that?

Before:

After:

Deeks · 08-01-2003, 03:33 AM

Mikkel - I've got to agree with you.
Your car looks a LOT better than when you bought it.
I think that teardrop mirrors look good on an SC with
updated wheels too.

I would have no problem buying a 911 with mods/changes like yours.

Superman · 08-01-2003, 06:22 AM

It depends on whether you want to feel trapped, or liberated.

jrb964 · 08-01-2003, 08:23 AM

Guys thanks for all the input. I got some good suggestions. All of the expected upgrades have been made (tensioners, turbo-tie rods, etc) I'm quite frankly leaning toward repainting it the original color.

The only reason I'm repainting it is because of the passenger door and the tale. The fibre glass tail has flat just faded. The door (and I've confered this with the previous owners) came from the factory a little different color that the rest of the car. The original owner said the clear coat developed a yellow tint to it. The owners all say that it has never been repainted. And over the years it is significantly more noticeable.

I guess from the suggestions my next stop will be GHL or B&B for an SSI exhaust. All of the previous upgrades I've made have the removed pieces neatly packed away in my garage so the next owner will get the car as it came from the factory, but many parts will be in boxes.

Thanks alot for the input.

PS - I've seen a couple of neat subtle two tone P-Cars.

MIK911 · 08-01-2003, 02:55 PM

Mikkel--you did an awesome job!! Looks much better.

I agree with Superman. Half the fun of owning a 911 is tinkering with it, personalizing it to 'your' specs. If it's an investment, keep it stock. If it's your toy, play with it.

mike
'86 coupe

MIK911 · 08-01-2003, 02:55 PM

Mikkel--you did an awesome job!! Looks much better.

I agree with Superman. Half the fun of owning a 911 is tinkering with it, personalizing it to 'your' specs. If it's an investment, keep it stock. If it's your toy, play with it.

mike
'86 coupe