Feedback on some very early planning (long)?

[adamred]

I have started the very early thoughts and ideas for "what's next" for me in Porsche world. Some may know that recently I did this to my nice looking Targa



The cost to fix vs total it out was below Hagerty's limit so it was fixed. Unfortunately it has been too darn rainy, and dark to early for me to snap a pic of the repairs. They were done very nicely but in the course of the repairs it was discovered that my 911 has seen at least one other major hit in its 25 year life, the other fender, door, etc were hit, which became clear when they had my car on the jig for straightening and discovered that the last time it was fixed it was hammered straight instead of pulled

Oh and about the time of the accident I was planning for a full rebuild on the 3.0 with 3.2 P/Cs, SSI, new exhaust the works.

So now she is basically tucked away for winter (staining my garage) but my heart just isn't into this car anymore.

So what to do next....Fortunately life on the personal financial side is looking up over the next couple of years (I won't bore you with the details)

1) I could save a few bucks and trade her in on a newer model, later carrera, 964, even perhaps a 993, to me this is a viable option, but not in dreamer land

2) Through this site (damn you guys) I have become completely enamored of the early cars and the RS/RSR custom treatments. I particularly like the mocha colored "cafe racer" that was done by TRE and highlighted in Excellence a few months ago. Oh, and I want to go coupe, targa is nice for cruising but to me not conducive to the custom treatment I have in mind....

So, I could rebuild the motor over the next year figure about $5-10K depending on how much my wrench does (I'm not much of a wrencher on this scale).
Tool around while I search out an early longhood roller, perhaps even work with the TRE guys or a similar outfit out East (but I don't really know who I would work with out here).
Eventually pull my upgraded 3.0 and 915 trans, put it into an early tub with upgraded suspension, brakes, flares, wide wheels, etc....The full Tyson treatment .

What am I looking at here, without engine work, $30k, $50K, $100K?! 3, 6, 12 months worth of work? Has anyone done this kind of project long distance with say a couple of visits and taking advantage of technology? Anyone have a build sheet that they care to share off line (even with prices removed)?

The most important question, has anyone sold this to their spouse and tips to stay out of divorce court (I really do love her...so it won't be car over wife)...

Can I at least just get an "Amen" brother Adam?

[72 four door]

Adam if your hearts not into it [your car] then dont put the$ into her sell it and get what you want. The 993s and 6s are sweet but look into getting what i think from [reading between the lines] is that you want an early hotrod. so start looking buddy and be happy.25-30 should get you something sweet.

[adamred]

Thanks Paul
As sappy as it sounds, part ofme just doesn't want to give up on my first Porsche (like a first girlfriend only without the guilt, cheating, lying...oh man a scab has been picked....)

[72 four door]

Adam if i can sell my 66 shelby gt350 you can sell your targa.Youll get over it i havent. lots of therapy still hasnt helped. lol be gone with her and remember change is growth. Ok enough of me seeya buddy.

[Jack Olsen]

You have good instincts. Take a look at the recent thread on the similarly-colored ST replica being built in Seattle.

Of course, you could have started a backdate on the SC instead of the straightforward repairs you just finished. But what's done is done.

If you're not in a hurry, keep driving your SC and keep an eye out for someone else's project coming up for sale.

[twin plugged targa]

Adam
I and probabley a ton of others are also in the same boat as you.
I too have a Targa which is crying out for mods and maintenance, but my heart is not really in it!. (PO did all mods and shes a bit of a cream puff)
I nearly bought Rattlesnaks RSR but it too needed a chunk a change to get it more streetable (very track oriented).

I am conciderring different paths here-
Converting a 930 to RSR (with turbo flares)
Or converting an 84-89 Carrera to RSR, but keeping both streetable - not uncomfortable or so loud you need ear muffs!.

I would be interested in your response to this thread!
Rgds Ben

[adamred]

What about the notion of sticking with my targa, getting the engine sorted prior to moving it into a project car? I sort of like this angle because let's face it, other then rust our biggest concerns when we buy another person's vehicle is the condition of the motor. Nothing is guaranteed but if I oversee a comprehensive rebuild at least I'll know the motor and be comfortable applying it to a project shell....

Jack, I contemplated the back date on the targa but if I'm going to spend the time and money on a dream car, I want a coupe....

[Jack Olsen]

Ah, that makes sense.

[Zeke]

Sounds like you talked yourself into a plan. But, what do you do with the Targa roller once you rob the motor from it?

[adamred]

Good question Milt, I'm actually pretty sure my mechanic would buy it from me and part it out....When the insurance co was deciding what to do after my wreck my mechanic's immediate response was "if they total it tell them you want the wreck and I'll buy it for you, I could use the parts!"....sold to the man in the blue jumpsuit....

[72 four door]

Adam your car has cis if im not mistaken what kind of fun HP can you ultimately get? I dont mean to be a wet blanket but these motors are lame.They have nice midrange but the fun from an MFI motor or a 3.6or turbo is the way to go. You can probably spend lots of $ on cams and ssi but realistically youll get bored quickly. I know im going to get trashed o well. Sell the car for 10-14 and build something that will put a smile on your face for a while.

[adamred]

True enough Paul, my wrench thinks we can (reasonably, $$ wise) around 200-210 hp out of the 3.0. I know CIS gets bashed but for me it has been relatively trouble free, requiring basically just a couple of runs of techron in the 3+ years I have had the car....Your little "t" motor does get up and go with the MFI but I'm concerned about the constant fiddling...