I am in the wrong business!!!

I just was sent a reply from a local Porshce dismantler for a few semi-common parts... The prices I got back were crazy!

The part I really needed was a speedometer for a '79 SC and was expecting to pay $50 for a used one. Wrong, try $125 for a mismatched one! I can get my current one serviced for $85 locally at a VDO repair place, easy choice.

I also inquired about 16x8 Fuchs, expecting $200-$250 each... Wrong, try $350-$550 each depending on condition! My current Fuchs 6x16 and 7x16s are looking pretty nice now

It is just a shame to see some of these cars dismantled due to just a blown engine... Shoot a DIY rebuild for a few grand would take that $3Kish non-working P-car to $8-12K goer easily, $20K on Gar-bay Some of the cars Parts Heaven and PAP dismantle make me sick because they are perfectly fine.

Very seriously. Where do dismantlers find these cars? I would love to take the blown engine ones to refurbish and resell. Has anyone tried this? I figure I could turn a few grand on each and have fun doing it. Shoot I have done friends VW engines for beer and fun, this I may actually make a buck and have fun too!

Thanks,



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Adrian Pillow
1979 911 SC
1966 VW Microbus
PCA - Peachstate Region

I too have thought about this, but have no cash to do something like this. You can try insurance auctions in your state. You may able to pick up a car in nice condition.

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Jeff
1976 911S

Sadly, automobiles are worth more in pieces than they are as a whole.

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'83 SC

Sadly I think you are right Superman.

Dismantlers may want to start watching thier prices. I am of the mindset of buying a new part that has a full life cycle ahead of it, instead of paying 25% less for a used up part. Why would someone pay only 25% less for a used part that will last only a fraction of a new parts life?

I am very frustrated by the crazy used part prices. It just forces me, as a buyer, to only have new parts as a viable option.

Usually, when I hunt VW bone yards I can walk out with both arms full and only owe the guy $10! I know the story about apples & oranges...

where do the dismantlers find these cars? often they may have friends that work at insurance companies and keep an "eye" out for Porsche wrecks.

i've been to the auto recycling yards before and i have seen gorgeous engines sitting in trashed cars. the big-bore throttle body in my 924 was obtained from an Audi 5000S. $15 and a can of throttle body cleaner later... i gained about 1-2 hp and the engine sounds "throatier". a definite top-end improvement for $15.

there used to be a web site out there that had parts equivalencies that would fit on Porsche 911s. some were Honda or Subaru parts that only needed to be bent slightly to fit perfectly. i've also seen people put intercoolers, oil coolers, and other components from Saabs, Chevrolets, Chryslers, and Fords on Porsches. hey it's not like anyone will notice, and if it's cheap and available.. use it!

obin