Quality of this car/How to ship a car without brakes?

[Fuzzbeaner]

Ok, I found a car that suits my fancy for an electric conversion.(somewhat) It's a pretty dead 912 (I know this is a 911 forum, but it's got no engine or tranny, so just pretend it's an 11) but it's located around 1,000 miles from me.





Now a few questions for your knowledgable folks.

Question one: Thoughts on the car? Rust too severe, it'll blow up 2 miles from now, etc. Remember, I wouldn't be using the engine anyways, or the rear seats, nor most of the guages save for speed. This is sorta....pre stripped for me, if you will.

Question two: The thing has no brakes. How can it be transported 1,000 miles? (cheaply I mean, hiring wrestlers to push it to my house might work, but i don't have the dough)

Thanks!
-Jeff

[89911]

Go underneath with a sharp awl or other tool and start poking. It could go from bad to worse with the rust, no mater how cheap the car is selling. As far as transporting, the cheapest way is to find a friend with a pickup or other tow vehicle and rent a U-Haul. You'll need a few people to help push it up the ramps. And absoulutely do not try to move it without some form of brakes. Hooking up the emergency brakes is good. Visions of a runaway 912 careening through a neighborhood are pictured if not.

[djmcmath]

I looked at an early 912 in reasonably similar condition. If you don't have an awl, try a screwdriver. If it pokes through, you're sunk. You can still obtain some parts, but some aren't worth replacing. Fenders, for example, aren't too bad, at about $1000 with no welding required. Floorpans, frame components, that sort of thing -- a lot more painful. In all honesty, I wouldn't be afraid to move it without brakes, as long as I was totally sure I could maintain positive control of the vehicle at all times. Never roll it without cables hooked up to the truck, people in position to stop it, etc. But then, I'm a bit reckless, and have been know to do stupid things ("Sure, just ride your 800lb motorcycle down those stairs, then we'll pick it up and stick it in the back of this truck..."). Good luck!


Dan

[Fuzzbeaner]

Yeah, I guess because of the distance it's not worth the risk of going for it and finding my foot flys right through the floor.

Thanks!

-Jeff

[john70t]

Wow!!! That semi-rusted shell would be perfect to put in an electric powerplant..........as long as you:

-rustproof/paint the chassis well. This seems the most important thing for me. (Check out Targa80's beautyful POR15)work.
-don't chop/cut huge holes in the chassis.....(!)....... Some of the batteries can go in the back seat foot area to retain the weight distribution and center of gravity. You need good venting or gell-cells.
-sell those beautyful 4.5/5" steel rims to me cheap. They won't hold the weight of the additional battery packs but are good for at least 5mpg while cruisin'.

Please rescue that abused puppy...sorry,ehem... early porsche.... from the evil owner who's letting it rot in that field. I've seen nice Rabbit and an S-10 conversion for a daily driver but the mileage and performance will be a problem.
Don't make any changes that aren't reversable and save all the old parts!!

[john70t]

As for shipping, go with the lowest bidder, specify clearly that the unique SWB "has no brakes!", and put the value at $25k to scare the idiot drivers into giving a small percentage of a *****.

[vash]

when i shipped my car, that wasnt running, every company required, "rolls, steers, and stops" and most just added $150 extra. i would rent a trailer.

[Fuzzbeaner]

Ah, well I emailed the seller and he says there's no title just a Bill O Sale. I don't think there's much chance of getting a car w/o title registered here in good ol Mass anyways....

Oh well....(sniff)

-Jeff

[Fuzzbeaner]

Whups, I was wrong. I need a title. Blast.

-Jeff