Keep it the way it is or ????

[H2OThrottles]

I would like your valued opinions, I am a first time P-car owner and have a 1976 911s Coupe, NON sunroof, the original paint was #107-9-1 (Contential Orange) according to the placard in the drivers side door jamb. Car has spent all it's life in California and is really clean.
Car is close to stock with the following exceptions: Turbo flares, tail and front spoiler, stereo, wheels and 1996 seats, But I do have the original seats.

The reason that I am asking is a good friend of mine has a hi end body/paint shop and wants a project this coming fall, glass out, strip to metal etc etc.

If it is a rare car it will go back to stock and sell it, if not I would like to have it painted black, OR do I keep it the way it is ?, the current paint which is the only repaint was of a high quality but is starting to show some age. Other than that everything else is excellent and the interior is mint.
Two concerns that I have are, I want a driver, last time we did this it was an American muscle car and it ended up over restored, I used to wax the bottom of the floorpans and cringed everytime that I drove it.

Currently I have a rattlefree car, which is one of the main reasons that I bought it, it is absolutely quiet and drives like a new car and I love driving it.

Any suggestions????
Thanks.

[pwd72s]

Since it is a '76 911s, it has obviously been already modified from stock. This will shock a few people here, because I have the reputation of being a sort of "Mr. Original". But especially in this case...I feel that the '74-'77 model years are excellent base cars for a hot rod 911 project. My only caution would be to really think over anything you plan on doing. Consider brakes and suspension before going for that hot engine. Consider cooling for that hot engine...the list goes on...It's the "Carol Doda" type cars that I don't admire...what we called "No go show boat" cars back in my early days of pre Porsche involvement...

[Oh Haha]

I don't believe that it is that rare of a car. If it was a Turbo I could see maybe keeping it concours clean.
Drive the pio$$ out of it. I have given up keeping my 911 free of road rash and chips. I keep it clean and waxed but not to show car extremes. I have been through that with a previous car. I spent more time keeping it clean than driving it. That's my .02.

[Komenda Fan]

If I read your message correctly, you are happy with it. Why muck about with it and possibly make it something you are less happy with for lots of money? It looks great now.

[Hetmann]

If it ain't broke...

[RSBob]

There are plenty of people who would love that car as is. There are others modifying their cars to look like yours. If you are not happy with the way it looks, why not sell it and buy a car pretty darned close to what you want. You will save a lot of time and $$.

[oneblueyedog]

I wonder what that orange would look like today?


Drive it though, like old man Ferry wished everyone would do.

[dentist90]

If you are considering a very detailed tear-down and careful, original colour repaint to get it to like-new spec for resale, just ask yourself: will the selling price jump up enough to more than cover the cost of the restoration? As it is apparently not a particularly rare car and has had body modifications it probably will not fetch premium dollars. It looks and by your description sounds like an excellent car so my opinion is keep it, love it and do whatever you want to improve it. If you are going to change the paint colour it will be a good challenge for your friend as this is not a masking job if you want to do it right. We're talking about engine removal, extensive interior trim removal ( to get door sills and floor pans to black), trunk cleanout... pretty well everywhere you might catch a glimpse of the old orange colour. Doing that right would indeed be an all-winter project. If black is what you want and your buddy is giving you a good deal I say go for it! (Repainting the factory colour will involve a lot less time and effort though) But PLEASE don't create a car with a glossy black outside and an orange engine bay.

[snbush67]

My vote is keep it the way it is. There are plenty of black turbos out there allready. I really think you have a nice car and it looks great. I likr that color.

[Facey]

my vote goess to a ncie deep black, and then a new front airdamn, including a front mount oil cooler. then a newer set of wheels (CCW), tint the rear window, and get rid of the flag mirros.

IMO i'd add more supportive seats also. oh....and if the stock 2.7L is in there get it out.

[dsdw40]

i wouldn't change a thing, the car looks great
also, i believe i've read some where that you'll be lucky to get $.50 return on every $1.00 spent on rehab/mods

[rouxroux]

I'd take the money you would sink into that and buy and extra set of wheels/tires, put on a few suspension goodies and spend the rest on track time IMHO...

[dean]

I personally like red but so do the Fuzz. So I bought a black car. I would also put a 930 motor in it so you can back the flares and tires But then I am slightly a turbo guy.

[DUK]

Paint it black and driveitlikeyastoleit.

[Pele911]

Since you are a 1st time p-car owner Id drive it like it is for a while and get used to how a porsche drives and have fun before you modify it. But I would definatley hot-rod it later.

[Gogar]

Originally posted by dsdw40
i wouldn't change a thing, the car looks great
also, i believe i've read some where that you'll be lucky to get $.50 return on every $1.00 spent on rehab/mods

More like $.20

Just drive it. Restoring it to its former glory will only be fufilling if you REALLY love the original style.

And, for the amount of money it will cost you, you could just buy another 76 S coupe.

[Elu]

I like it like it is as well. It's not a rare car and by the time you get done, you will have put more money in it than you could get back out. The car rocks just as it sits. Spend the money on the interior and maybe some other problem areas that may exist.

[JeremyD]

Buy a helmet and go to an autocross. When you think that was fun sign up for a DE - after that - I think the porsche gods will tell you what to do. It's your car - you decide.

[75blkcarrera]

With your limited driving weather, have some fun and drive it while you can. During the winter think of things you may want to do to make it more (you). There are many who want to flair their cars, so sell it to one of them and get something else if you want to. Have some fun.

[Par911]

She's purrrty, let her be as is.........UNLESS you are thinking of going back to Conti Orange.