New Member - '89 3.2 440 targa, 82k mi.

[chiplamb]

Bought my '89 L22D targa through a MN Pelican (Johnson Autosport). Hadn't seen a targa in slate grey/black leather with a rear wiper since they were new and my father sold them. This was obviously a special order car new per Dad, no spoilers, yet 220 (LSD) and the 425 (rear wiper) among the more common US codes. I've been enjoying reading the forum and getting caught back up, had an '86 coupe some years back.

Car currently having a hyper-extended door repaired by my expert body guy, came to me with a shoddy repair from many years back.

No other visible defects, and simple fixes to perform from here out, needs to have its heater blowers rebuilt (I'm out of kitchenware to make another motor fit, so I think I'll just overhaul the motors) and a corner balance/alignment/turbo tie rod end swap.

Yours,
Chip Lamb
SCM Auction Reporter
General old car nut

[imcarthur]

Love that color! Congrats & enjoy it.

Ian

[crosby50]

Can u post a pic of what your "hyperextended door" looks like? I was told that is what happened to my car's driver's door. I replaced the door check to avoid it again.

[DUK]

Welcome to the madness. And nice car. Where are you located, I might need to borrow the sandblaster. LOL

[livi]

Welcome! Fantastic color.

So, how do you think your current G50 compares to your previous 915 in the 86 ? Much better or are you missing some of that primitive, mechanical feeling with the clutch and gear change?

[chiplamb]

Danke für Ihre feierliche Wilkommen! Wenige Antworte an Ihren Fragen...

The hyper extended door was apparently rather violent, like a domestic quarrel gone bad (but not to the point where she stuck her spiked heels in the seats). The check ripped from the flimsy inner door structure. Someone had applied an inner and outer patch fix but it was binding and the check strap had suffered another failure. The door post dowel holder was also loose, is now being re-tack-welded.

Re G50 vs 915 - I think the biggest difference here is the peace of mind knowing that it may occasionally tolerate fumbles. I told someone some years ago whilst looking at a rather depressed '87 targa and trying to get away from the situation that I preferred the feel of the 915. I really don't think there's much difference, neither are Jap-car slick nor were they new, I remember. (I also run a 2000 Miata SE)

I'm in Richmond, VA and currently without sufficient shop air pressure to make the bead blasting cabinet very useful. Currently finishing a new 1600sq/ft shop and one major detail is a proper air compressor, coming soon...

One more thing. Has anyone digitized the '87 Carrera video? It is a marvelous tape which I've had since '87 given to me by my father, with Guards red turbo, targa and cab doing various antics on and off the factory test track. If anyone has the facilities I'd volunteer it, e-mail me privately on chip at wmsbrgnospam dot com (remove nospam)

[Zef]

Welcome aboard...very nice Targa...I like that classic color...Have fun ...!