Crashed the car, sell it or make it a track car?

[moazam]

A couple of weeks ago I sent my brother my 1986 911 Coupe. He's been having a blast of a time driving it in Miami, Florida. Unfortunately, in a freak moment, he got into an accident today, about 3-4 hours ago. The car was hit at about 30mph and looks pretty nasty. Funny thing is, it drives perfectly fine, the oil pressure seems fine, and it drives straight. He drove it home 60 miles from the accident site.

So now, I'm a bit torn (as is the car!). Should I just sell this thing or should I start making it a track car? I could possibly get some fibreglass parts from GT Racing and redo the whole car, but honestly I'm not much of a racer, nor a builder. The engine is the 3.2 original (plus S.Wong chip), has 188k miles on it and runs very strong. The transmission was very recently rebuilt at RMG in Sunnyvale with upgraded stock short shifter, new engine motor mounts, and turbo tie rods.

This was how the car looked before the crash today,



*sigh* and now this is what it looks like after the crash today,















So any thoughts? Sell and buy a 993/996? Or spend the next year trying to rebuild?

[geof33]

If you had added some spray foam...

Cut the quarters off, check the frame, slap on some RSR flares (front too) and go to town...

[Todd Simpson]

Why not fix it and keep it?

Insured or no?

[moazam]

Originally posted by Todsimpson
Why not fix it and keep it?

Insured or no?

It was PIP insured. No collision. Honestly, I'm not sure if I wanna put more money into fixing this right now....unless I make it a track car. The reality is that I'm not into the track stuff enough to warrant that either.

[BReyes]

I would go racing. You need to make a decision as to if you want to. It is in Florida...

Here is food for thought. I could build it for you. I have the skills necessary to make it a winning car. I am in Florida too. You may call me presently at 407-687-8497.

Regards,

[Carl83911]

Can I have it?

[moazam]

Originally posted by Carl83911
Can I have it?

$?

And please don't say free. I'm already injured, don't need an insult added to it.

[john walker's workshop]

looks like a fixer to me.

[Todd Simpson]

If it's cosmetic damage I think you'll find a buyer at a decent price here who will fix it themselves and just drive it.

If it's twisted you could part it for probably more money but that's also a lot of hassle.

It's hard to decide a value or path to take from here until you really know what you have. Get it to a collision shop and see if the tub is tweaked.

Good luck.

[Carl83911]

Originally posted by moazam
$?

And please don't say free. I'm already injured, don't need an insult added to it.

____

I was just kidding bud..

From the looks of it, it only looks like a fender bender. How's the Oil temp. Is that the Thermostat i see sticking out. I would just fix it.

[moazam]

Originally posted by Carl83911
____

I was just kidding bud..

From the looks of it, it only looks like a fender bender. How's the Oil temp. Is that the Thermostat i see sticking out. I would just fix it.

The oil temp seems to be normal. My brother drove it home in the South Florida heat. In stand-still traffic it hit 215-220, and then on the turnpike it went back down to 185-190.

I also don't know who to take it to in S. Fla to get it fixed. In CA I know that Yeoman Auto would be my first choice.

[Cory M]

By your own admission you're not much of a racer or builder, and you aren't sure if you want to put any money into it. In my opinion you should just sell it to someone who wants a project. The damage doesn't appear to be anything beyond the capability of a decent bodyman, especially considering the optional FG flares. If you're not really into the car or racing you probably will run out of motivation before the car is finished, and if you don't want to spend any money racing is definitely the wrong route. Maybe you could work something out with your brother so he can fix it and keep it..

[emcon5]

Originally posted by moazam
I sent my brother my 1986 911........ he got into an accident

and

I'm not sure if I wanna put more money into fixing this right now

I don't see what your willingness to spend your money has to do with this. Seems like the guy who wrecked it should be spending his money to make it right.

Tom

[moazam]

Originally posted by emcon5
and

I don't see what your willingness to spend your money has to do with this. Seems like the guy who wrecked it should be spending his money to make it right.

Tom

Well, what I meant was, I'm not sure *he* should put any more money into this. He will be the one paying for damages as the car is his now. Nevertheless, I really really really feel bad for him.

[Crachian]

First of all, that damage is repairable, but it will be very expensive to do it right, and I wouldn't be surprised if the insurance company totals it. (it's not clear whether there is insurance for this or not--wasn't it someone else's fault?)

As someone who decided to repair crash damage, I strongly suggest parting with the car and getting another. Or telling your brother to buy his own damn Porsche. It's a huge pain in the ass, a shop won't fix it to your satisfaction, the paint won't match, the repair will be visible from five feet away in a couple of years of hot Fla sun, and you'll have to wait. I'm glad I went through the exercise, but I probably wouldn't do it again.

In hindsight, I would have been better off getting another car.

[moazam]

Originally posted by Crachian
As someone who decided to repair crash damage, I strongly suggest parting with the car and getting another.

I'm seriously thinking the same way right now. I think someone else will be better at making this a track car and enjoying it than myself. Worst case scenario I can always pull out the tranny, engine, suspension, interior and part it out. I would *really* hate to do that though since the car is running perfectly. I suppose I'll figure out a plan of action in a week or so.

[vash]

damn, i was wondering what happened to you. you need to get on a plane and give your brother a wedgy. damn glad he is ok. i loved your car. tell me you didnt just give it to him!

i would fix it. that actually doesnt seem that bad. so are you outta the 911 world?

fix it, your car deserves it. on the bright side, that tstat is really easy to get to now

[moazam]

Originally posted by vash
i loved your car. tell me you didnt just give it to him!

i would fix it. that actually doesnt seem that bad. so are you outta the 911 world?

I practically gave it to him. He gave me some money for it, but I could have sold it and gotten much more for it. Right now I feel so bad that I almost want to return his money to him and call it a wash! But..remember, I said "almost".

As for leaving the Porsche world, I bought a 2001 BMW 330ci. I might come back to the Porsche world later with a 993 or 996. Or...maybe we'll sell this car and my brother will get a 993/996 some time later.

In terms of the accident, my brother got the ticket. Crap happens, what can I say. He has not had an accident in 15+ years, is a very responsible driver, but today was just not his day. Good thing is that he is not hurt, nor was the other party.

[sammyg2]

that car is repairable, make HIM get it fixed and keep driving it. Nothing wrong with it from the looks of it.
AND DON'T LOAN YOUR CAR OUT ANYMORE.

[moazam]

Originally posted by sammyg2
that car is repairable, make HIM get it fixed and keep driving it. Nothing wrong with it from the looks of it.
AND DON'T LOAN YOUR CAR OUT ANYMORE.

It's actually HIS car already. I just keep calling it 'mine' because...well, I don't know why. I'm not sure how much it'll cost to get it fixed, and if it's just better for him to go get a 993/996 instead.