Buying a '77, 911S

jdlowery · 02-12-2006, 05:15 PM

Hi Guys,

I'm new to Porshes but may have the opportunity to purchase a 1977 911S. I plan on having a PPI done before the buy. Is there anything I should give special attention? The car has about 70K on it and appears to be in real nice condition. What kind of offer does a car like this in excellent condition get?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Jim Sims · 02-12-2006, 05:28 PM

Pulled cylinder studs, warped case, worn valve guides, cooked oil return tube o-rings. This car still has to pass smog inspection so ensure that air pump, air injectors, EGR, thermal reactors and charcoal cannister are in place. Inquire if pressure fed chain tensioners have been installed, a pop off valve installed in the air box, an auxilliary oil cooler (will be up front in the passenger side wheel well) added and the fan changed from 5-blade to 11 blade. If the car has had the original design problems sorted out in an engine rebuild it could be a good purchse otherwise one could soon end up spending $8000 to fix it.

GothingNC · 02-12-2006, 05:34 PM

I almost purschased a mint condition green 77 911s with 80,000 miles.
Top end rebuilt at 52,000
Brakes overhauled.
Paint in very good condtion and interior near perfect along with all rubber seals. Won a few awards at Porsche shoe's in the North East.
All motor Upgrades were performed but the owner left the Thermal Reactors attached

He would not go lower then 12k and it's still for sale

So I picked up an 82SC Targa for a bit more $$ but well worth it.

2.7's are a decent motor as long as they have been rebuilt correctly and the 77's had the updated valve guide material.

I've noticed that the going market price is about 10 - 12k for a realy nice one max for now.

74's are not galvanized but they did not have the smog devices attached and seem hold a higher value on the west coast.

Mid Year models are not that bad but they are stuck woth the 2.7 problem stigma which makes them harder to sell sometimes.

Make sure to have a thourough PPI performed.

Charles Lee · 02-12-2006, 06:03 PM

H

Charles Lee · 02-12-2006, 06:08 PM

Sorry, pressed the wong button.
Have Jimmy do the PPI and Tom do the test drive.
buy it if it pass them tests.
About how much? Is it a good $$ to U?

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

Not to mention 78s all have flares....I agree SC would be a much better choice....All Porsches have issues....but it seems the 77 struck the lottery for the most in one year.

jdlowery · 02-12-2006, 06:38 PM

It sounds like '77 was a bad year. I'm browsing the "Porsche Buyers Guide" and there's no indication of '77 being a dog.

I guess I should ask what year 911 should I look for if I wanted a reliable ride (no major issues corrected in newer model years) that wouldn't be a daily driver?

The price is not yet set but it will probably in the neighborhood of 10K.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

Unlikely to find a good 78 in that neighborhood...just remember to add the price of needed repairs to initial cost to compare apples to apples

GothingNC · 02-13-2006, 04:43 AM

Try changing your budget to around 15K.

You will have a lot more better examples to pick from.

I know someone who picked up a Carrear Targa in real nice shape for 10K.
Had a shop look at it and he will need to sink another 5 to 6K into it to sort everything out. Not a daily driver so it gives him time to shop around for service and attempt the work himself.

rsa · 02-13-2006, 07:55 AM

Jim, I own a 77 911S. It was my first and is my current car. I wish I knew then what I know now. Most common upgrades are post 77, like wheels, brakes etc. The AC will probably need updating which is not cheap and probably will not be what you will expect. Compared to current or even newer cars. I love my car, BUT

I would look at newer than 1977.

jdlowery · 02-14-2006, 12:48 AM

Thanks for all the info guys.