My new '84 Carerra + stone guard question

LeeH · 09:11 PM

Well, after almost three years of being "between Porsches" I think I've finally found the next 911. This is a two owner car with 83K miles, factory spoilers, sport seats, new clutch, new brakes, and new S02s.

If all goes as planned, some money will be wired on Wednesday, and the car will begin a 7-14 day trip across the US to Phoenix in an enclosed carrier. The current owner has had the car for around 7 years and has his eye on a '67 Vette. His wife said "lose the Porsche and we'll talk about the Vette" hence a very reasonable selling price (in my opinion) of $14K. A friend inspected the car and could only find a few very minor imperfections in the original paint.

My first thought when I saw the car was that it needs stone guard in front of the rear wheels. But would you add stone guards to an all original car? What do you think? Pardon my Photoshop skills!

Lee... about to start an agonizing wait

expat · 12-31-2001, 08:50 PM

My 2 cents would be to leave as is. My 1987 has no stone guards and has no stone chips although I guess to some extent this may depend on what type of surfaces you drive on. Mines all bitumen.

I'm actually trying to think of a way to remove ALL black treatment (rubber bits) and make everything white (looks cleaner and easier to keep clean - avoiding rust etc).

Hope all goes well for the sale and transport.

Mark

LeeH · 12-31-2001, 09:18 PM

Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing! But those with babies at home know what I'm talking about!

daz911 · 12-31-2001, 09:57 PM

Go for the magnetic stoneguards from www.magbra.com - non permanent, non marking, already saved a chip on my SC. A little more expensive but well worth it and they stay on over 100mph, so far I've done 120mph with them.

LeeH · 01-01-2002, 07:05 PM

How do the magnetic stone guards compare to the real thing? Are they thicker? Have you had any trouble with them scratching the paint? I looked at the web site and it looks like a good option. I may get a set for the hood in white.

I'm in Phoenix where the sides and medians of the freeways are filled with gravel! Needless to say, windshield replacement is a big, big, business here. I had the clear film installed on my Audi A4 and it looked great, but I don't think I want something so permanent on my 911.

89911 · 01-01-2002, 07:30 PM

From a prior owner of a Magbra, they are crap. I can still show you the fine scratches from where it use to sit on my hood. Maybe for some lighter colors like white or silver you can get away with using these, but for darker colors they are bad. The theory behind them sounds good but they still move minutely causing fine swirl scratches. Oddly enough, when I changed my torsion bars last year and replaced my stoneguards, the paint underneath was perfect. I actually like the look and protection of these, if it's good enough for the turbo, I can use it.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

Yes on the stone guards. They complete the look of the fender IMHO.

LeeH · 01-01-2002, 09:54 PM

After staring at the two photos I'm leaning toward adding the stone guards. Once the car arrives I'll walk around it for a while before I make up my mind.

Egads! I can't believe that I'm buying a 911 without seeing it first! Wish me luck!

daz911 · 01-02-2002, 01:50 AM

I can't tell you about the magbra bra as I have a colgan. I can see how it would move.

The stoneguards however have shown no sign of scratches whatsoever, you do have to make sure that the surfaces are perfectly clean before you put them on, this maybe where the scratches come from as I said - I don't have any yet.
Also I don't leave them on for too long without cleaning them or the car.

Good luck on your decision.

01-02-2002, 04:17 AM

I always liked the clean look without the black stone chip protection. I think it's very necessary on wide Turbo models, but on narrow Carreras I don't think it's that necessary. At least I have no stone chips on mine. Anyway you can also get clear self adhesive stone chip protection. I have that on my front bumber, under the headlamps etc. and it's almost invisible unless you're really close to the car.

89911 · 01-02-2002, 05:00 AM

Here's my car with the guards. I think your rendition may be a bit generous as to the actual size of them.

Leland Pate · 01-02-2002, 05:30 AM

I dig the stone guards and have put a set on my car.

There is one BIG difference!

There are turbo stone guards and there are Carrera stone guards.

The ones you drew look very similar to Turbo stone guards...which look fine.... on a turbo.
Make sure you get a set of Carrera guards for your narrow bodied car... like 89911s.
They look sweet!

...just my opinon, best of luck with the new purchase

BlueSkyJaunte · 01-02-2002, 06:54 AM

I would try for a set of clear stone guards, myself. As a fellow Phoenician I can appreciate your desire to avoid the "slings and rocks of outrageous fortune" (please forgive the mis-quote).

Leland Pate · 01-02-2002, 07:36 AM

It's a crappy shot but here is my car with the guards...

stuttgart · stuttgart's Garage

I have the Mag type as well and they are great you can remove them to wax and wash and simply slap the back on. I highly recommend them.
Eric Mckenna 78 SC
SCWDP

LeeH · 01-02-2002, 12:04 PM

Hmmm. Now I'm beginning to wonder if my '81 SC had turbo stone guards. I used a picture from a Tweeks catalog as a model for those I added to the '84. They don't appear to be installed on a turbo in the catalog, but are certainly larger than the cars above. Here's my dear departed SC...

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

My .02- you can go either way. The car in the photo has tinted windows, black trim, ect and the stone guards would look fine. On most narrow body 911s I don't like them, and feel they are unnecessary. I have an 87 w/o them and it is scratch free- so I know it is not something you need. Hope your car is everything you expect it to be, and welcome back!