Rust concerns

nealf2002 · 03-04-2009, 06:55 AM

Hello: I am looking at a car with some issues, early 911T Targa. I am not that familiar with this model. I have posted a couple of photos of what is goin on and wanted some advice with some folks more familiar with Porsches. I am no stranger to rust and old cars currently owning 2 2002 BMW's and a 3.0CS BMW from the early 70's. I am considering unchartered territory with this 911. In the second picture, this area was apparently patched to some degree.

Can anyone explain what is going on in the photos? How much of a concern is this? I know the car will never be concours, but wanted an occasional SAFE driver for the weekends. Thanks.

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Its a big concern even in Michigan. and that's only what you see.

Rot 911 · 03-04-2009, 07:17 AM

That is definitely unsafe. I could see the whole torsion bar housing tearing away. Like Cgarr said, you are going to find a lot more rust in those torsion bar housings when you start digging in.

jwernquist · 03-04-2009, 08:03 AM

That rust is not too good, as the others said that is really dangerous for the rear suspension, its NOT TOO difficult a repair to reinforce and make that area strong again, but most definitely fiberglass and bondo wont give it the strength it needs.

Sadly I've seen cars on the roar being driven with ever worst rust and patching there. If the rust is there its elsewhere too, and you just have to look and find it!!!

I have yet to see one that ONly rusts in that area, its usually more widespread. If you can weld and do some metal work go for it, if not then seriously pass and look for one that is more solid!!

jpnovak · 03-04-2009, 08:08 AM

That is the type of rust that causes really bad things to happen if the car is driven. As Kurt mentioned the rust will migrate into the torsion tube. If this breaks the whole rear of the car can basically collapse. when it does, it tends to damage more things than just that rusty section. To fix properly ALL of the rust must be cut out and renewed with new panels. There are some patch panels available but you ( or the repair shop) will probably have to fab some by hand. Don't let anyone near the car that is simply going to patch this with fiberglass. The longitudinal section of the car supports ALL of the weight of the car. As Jon Said, Fiberglass is not strong enough.

kodioneill · kodioneill's Garage

RUN !!! don't walk away.

Zeke · 03-04-2009, 08:10 AM

I suspect that may be a parts car, but many here have restored worse. What I can see is about 3K in costs at a body shop. What you can't see may cost a lot more. Be careful on this one.

The replacement panels for the rear are 450 ea., but it's seldom that the whole thing is gone. You'll have to remove the rear suspension before you'll know. Still, it's hard to fabricate portions of that area, I've done a couple. If it's your dollar I'm spending, I'll buy the replacement, use what I need and you'll come out better in cost.

Porsche_monkey · 03-04-2009, 08:13 AM

I restored a car just like that, so this advice is coming from someone who had been there:

Do not buy it. It is not worth effort to make it safe.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

My first Porsche had the hole in the sheetmetal below the torsion bar mount, but it continued 1/2 way up both sides. There was no way I would drive a car like that now. That particular car was 5 years old and had total separation of the floorpan from the outer longitudinals. About 2" was missing all the way aorund. The first time I used the jack, it went up, but the car didn't. About 1/2 lb. of rust scale fell to the floor of the garage. It was literally the definition of rust bucket, but I was 20 and ignorant about Porsches so I continued to drive it for a couple of years without problems.

Rick V · 03-04-2009, 08:52 AM

It looks like that bushing is shot as well. Like the others have said, that is a lot of work, and it is NOT safe.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I don't think anyone can make a blanket stmt. based on the info on the car seen above or the info on YOU.

If you are an accomplished welder/body specialist -- on par with milt, who posted above -- AND you enjoy a resurrection, then you will want to buy and restore the car. The price you would pay would quite low.

If any of the above contingencies are not true, then it may be a parts car.

This is a great time to buy used cars as they are quite cheap. This one should be quite quite cheap...

If still interested, get a look at the front where the battery boxes are & where the F A-arms mount.

It will be a LONG time before a 911T is worth any appreciable money.

Lanny · 03-04-2009, 03:06 PM

The good news is that the rust you are showing is probably the worst in the car to repair. Three layers of rusty, rotten sheet metal. It can be fixed with Milt's kit and some fabrication. However there must a lot more rust lurking under all of that black stuff under the car. If you want a big project it looks like you have found it.
Cheers
Lanny

robmog · 03-04-2009, 03:37 PM

fixable, everyone here is familar with darryls work.
http://www.darrylsgarage.com/912/912MAR06.htm
that being said its gonna cost you in time and or money.
tough decision.
if you can get it cheap and you're up to a challenge and have lots of free time, go for it
otherwise, find one you can drive now.

carrera turbo · 03-04-2009, 04:12 PM

all of the above comments are spot on as you read through them you can see the ones who have the ability to repair and those who do not.

the question i believe you have is as is will this car be safe. maybe now for the real question

are you sure you want your first porsche experience to be a "ROLL OF THE DICE"

i for one have been known to buy stuff others would run from. so its easy for me to say go for it.

but i would buy this car for an amount that if it turned out to be not realistic to repair i could part it out for what i purchased it for.

good luck on your decision.

cheers ed