Front end corrosion

[Komenda Fan]

Hi guys, I did a search, but I really don't have a good understanding of what I am looking at.

I have had a prepurchase inspection done on a 1970 911T, and the shop that did the work informed me that the car has a rusted out suspension pan. The mechanic went on to say that the corrosion was in the torsion bar area, and would need to be replaced. Are the front torsion bars incorporated into the suspension pan?

The shop which carried out the PPI said that they are able to do the work, but that it would likely cost $4000 CDN ($3600 US).

I have spoken to the cars owner, and he has agreed to reduce the car's price, but I am a bit worried about getting into something that could turn into an even bigger job... The owner did say that he is having the same work done on his 67 911S, and that it is costing him $2000 CDN.

So would you expect this to be a $2000 or $4000 job? If the torsion bar area needs to be redone, is this car even worth saving?

[ossiblue]

What you describe in not unusual, and a very common repair. The torsion bar area, in the front, are where the A arms attach--at least that's what I assume from your post. When the pan rusts, the attachment points are weakened and the suspension pan needs repair. If he meant the torsion bars (or tubes) themselves, those are readily available from salvage yards, and not overly costly. If he meant the rear torsion bar area, that is a different and more expensive matter, but from his estimate, it didn't sound like it.

As far as the price quoted, I can't comment, but it shouldn't cost much more that the quote for the 67, if it is for the same work.
Either way, the problems you describe are not deal killers if the price is right