1976 911s targa $4000 complete good deal?

[EuroShark]

Here are the details. Odometer reads 56k, owner has title (I didn't see it). Bad black repaint probably 15 years ago. All tires dry rotted/flat. Tan interior front seats split/ripped up. Crank windows 1 missing arm, passenger side door won't open (stuck halfway open), no map pockets/ door panels coming off. Dash doesn't have any cracks but the bottom part is completely down and the owner said something about the P.O installing a new ignition. Engine leaks oil (go figure right No battery in it so i couldn't see if it starts. NO RUST on the front pan, fender walls, under rugs (they were missing in the front), in the engine bay or underside, but a little around the rear targa window and the front windshield. Whale tail no front porsche emblem. Guy wants $4500 obo said he'd take $4200. I may go back with a battery and some tools and pull the valve cover off to check for headstuds trying to escape

What do you guys think? I know its a mid-year car and the motor rebuilds can be very costly, but id be doing the work myself if it came down to it. Parts car mabye? Has original fuchs...IDK i want to buy this car for some reason.

[dtw]

Parts car pricing - $4k is high. $2-something is more like it. Have paid less than $4k for 911s that I have driven home, or at least rolled onto a trailer.

[mholbrook38]

I guess it depends on your level of "expertise". I think the price is high for a "pig in a poke". You don't know if it runs. From the sound of it, I'm not sure I would start it without flushing the fuel system at least. It is a pretty slippery slope to make a car that needs that much love into a jewel. Still, if it does not need any body work and you can repaint/strip it out/repair everything yourself, sounds like an interesting project.

In the end, will it end up as a $20,000 car? If so, buy a better example.

[EuroShark]

NC and new england cars are different. If i see a non rusty sc or mid year it's unless i'm going there with expectations of it being concourse. If i were to buy a car for $4k down south it would be $5k+ after transport. I know it wouldn't be worth $4k for a parts car...does it sound like its not worth $4k or fixing up?

[Rich76_911s]

What you just described is the most expensive way to buy a 911 possible, and the worst part about it is that in the end you'd have a mid-year car that will be harder to sell than a comparable SC.

You might make a little parting it out, but it'll probably work out to be about $1.50 for every hour you work.

[EuroShark]

Rich_76 do you speak from experience lol

I know exactly what you mean, i'm not looking to make it mint just a driver. Seat covers, new tires, new door handle/window arm, new battery... *cough*engine rebuild *cough*

[sailchef]

I had an old 68 VW bug that was my daily beater. engine ran like a top. that is the only thing that wasn't rusted, broken or missing. I drove that car for three years in Vermont and had some of the best times with it. Wasn't worried about scratching paint or what anybody thought. If you approach this 911 with the same mind set and get it for a thousand less you may have something to remember.

Just my $.02

[tomeric914]

Originally Posted by dtw

Parts car pricing - $4k is high. $2-something is more like it. Have paid less than $4k for 911s that I have driven home, or at least rolled onto a trailer.

I'd like to find one of those deals.

[EuroShark]

That's what i was thinking tom. I can't believe it's not a roller when i see the $4k price.

Sailchef exactly my thoughts. It may be a little rough but it's still a 911...

[john walker's workshop]

the last '76 targa i picked up sounded just like that and it was free, seriously. probably best as a parts car. a grand, maybe $1500. hard to come out on top at $4K.

[aigel]

+1 on all the above. Expect an engine rebuild. Properly rebuilding a 2.7 is $6k DIY. Then you already have a $10k 911 and the paint and everything else is still shot. A mid year car can be bought for 12k in very nice condition. I'd just do that, if you are fond of them.

George

[EuroShark]

Yeah it probably end up being a big money pit...

[tony9704]

There's a 75s targa for sale on Milwaukee Craigslist. $2500. No engine. Solid to restore. (so the ad says) Maybe a decent option for a solid shell to drop a bigger motor in? Been on for a while too. Probably take less $. Just to show you, they are out there. No affiliation btw. Good luck!

[dtw]

Originally Posted by EuroShark

NC and new england cars are different. If i see a non rusty sc or mid year it's unless i'm going there with expectations of it being concourse. If i were to buy a car for $4k down south it would be $5k+ after transport. I know it wouldn't be worth $4k for a parts car...does it sound like its not worth $4k or fixing up?

Who said anything about NC? I drove one home from CT last year at $3,500 (with a Euro 3.0). I buy cars up and down the east coast, 7 in the last 24 mos.

Everything's relative. My '76 was $2,500, with 'rebuilt 2.7', and '9 out of 10 body'. The engine was a boat anchor until I shredded up $8k and fed it into the intake. The body? Sure, it is a '9', from 20 feet. My '72 has $40k in it...but hey, I picked it up for $1,600. Great deals...right??!!

The car you described is one that will be worth - compared to neighboring vintages - relatively little even if fully sorted. Every single aspect of the car needs complete sorting. If there's rust at the rear glass and windshield, give it 50-50 that it will require a little grinding and filling, or massive, difficult surgery. Engine, assume needs everything. At this point, parts car status comes in. Parts sales in this market are difficult at best. What do you think you could get out of this car in parts? Let's run it down:

$600 wheels (if they're 15J6 Fuchs, you don't say, $300 if cookies)
$700 core 915
$200 core top
$200 trailing arms
$225 CDI (if Bosch...$50 if Permatune)
$1000 core longblock on a good day, more if parted out, more if hydraulic tensioners. Assuming exhaust is shot, which it usually is.
$250 CIS
$100 core axles

You're nowhere near $4k yet - and those are the low-hanging-fruit parts, priced to move. There's plenty more parts to be had/sold, but they all require more effort to pull, and more effort to sell. Not to mention we're heading into the dead of winter, and the skin on knuckles tends to tear apart much easily when cold.

[EuroShark]

My '76 was $2,500, with 'rebuilt 2.7', and '9 out of 10 body'. The engine was a boat anchor until I shredded up $8k and fed it into the intake. The body? Sure, it is a '9', from 20 feet

LMAO did you buy it on ebay? I know what you guys are saying i just didn't want to hear it. The way i was looking at it i have the cash to buy it and i can just slowly throw money at it. It does make a lot more sense to get an SC where the biggest problems i'd be looking at is headstuds, rubber clutch, and the tensioner upgrade which could all be taken care of in one shot. I guess i didn't need a winter headache that bad

[aigel]

It is called a saving account. Put your 4k in it now and save $500 a month. In a year you'll be ready to go SC shopping.

George

[Skytrooper]

Originally Posted by sailchef

I had an old 68 VW bug that was my daily beater. engine ran like a top. that is the only thing that wasn't rusted, broken or missing. I drove that car for three years in Vermont and had some of the best times with it. Wasn't worried about scratching paint or what anybody thought. If you approach this 911 with the same mind set and get it for a thousand less you may have something to remember.

Just my $.02

Exactly what I was thinking !

If you are just looking at a runner, then the price would be good (if it turns over)

[EuroShark]

Just talked to the guy again and he sold it tonight for $3800. I think i dodged a bullet...i forgot to add it still had the 5 blade fan. Mabye someone on here bought it?