72 911T story

[david c.]

Hi guys,

A few days ago we were discussing the value of early 911T model Porsches.

I mentioned an early T my friend bought and was interested in reselling.

Well, my roommate bought it yesterday!

For those of your who don't recall, it was a completely original 72 2.4T with the MFI intact. about 55k original miles. S trim, 15x6,7 fuchs, Koni's, bumper overriders, S gauges, no sunroof, original color Tangerine (needing some cracking and flaking repaired), excellent black vinyl interior with factory and aftermarket radios, etc.
The interior looks new from the headliner and sunvisors to the dash and seats-no wear or cracks.

The engine was rebuilt 5k and 12 years ago, but it hasn't been started since about 1991. It was then driven into a garage and never started again. We have not heard it run.

I know, the fuel system is likely to be a wreck. But, my friend the seller threw in at no charge a known-to-be good injection pump and is going to test all the injectors.

At the bare minimum, it's going to need a new battery and some work on the fuel system.

But, it does have absolutely zero rust, original battery boxes, etc.

$7250.

I'll post photos next weekend, after it's trailered home.

For those of you guys who have wives that complain about old cars taking up space, I'm still single and so are my roommates. Here's what will be in our driveway/garage by next Saturday:

my 1976 912E (undergoing suspension upgrades)
my 1964 Volvo P1800S
my 1973 911T ROW project car
my 1991 Eclipse 16v (daily driver)
my 1984 944 parts car/dismantling project
Brian's 1975 2002
Brian's 1972 Porsche 911T
Brian's 1971 BMW R75/5
Brian's 1987 VW Golf GT (daily driver)

I thought you guys would find this humorous.

Later,

David

[pwd72s]

David? To my mind, you are overly concerned about the fuel system. At 55K miles, an MFI system should be fine. It's the long stretch of sitting that makes me wonder what the car needs...

[Saffs]

This might sound weird, but I thought that should be a little less. The effects of standing for 10 years could be quite drastic, thinking of brakes, fuel, engine seals, and needing paint maybe?
I got my '73 T for $5,500. Rust free, paint work pretty OK, engine excellent, interior needs new carpets, 115 k miles. All running and on the road when I got it, I thought I paid too much!
Maybe I was more lucky than I thought.

[david c.]

I don't know about the price being right. In the northeast, you very rarely have a car for sale locally with a southern history and no rust. Toss in the original mileage and the rebuild that was supposedly done at 50k (no receipts though) and this seems like a good deal to me. I suppose he could have bought one from CA for less, but there is the value of inspecting the car yourself, not paying for shipping to Pennsylvania, and no travel costs associated with going to inspect it yourself.

I personally haven't seen too many cars with such low mileage on them around Pittsburgh. I guess there is a value to having a deal on a car with 115K; $5500 for a running 911 sounds like a good deal to me! But, you can't take mileage off the clock and this car is like a time machine. It is completely original.

And, you've really got to see the interior. It's remarkable.

Even if it does require new brake lines, fuel lines, etc., so what? For a 30 year old car, it isn't exactly crazy to do that anyway as a matter of course.

In regard to the paint, I guess that's a matter of opinion. I personally like to see imperfect original paint. Only then can you decide to go with either the vintage patina justification for imperfect paint or choose a reputable painter and color yourself. I would rather have that option at $7250 than not have the option at $10,000+ after it's been repainted by someone else.

David

I think he got a decent deal.

[Saffs]

I guess I'm kind of obsessed with bargains, David.
I too love original paint, even if it's faded or cracked etc. I know my car was a bargain by UK standards (ironically, where cars are a little less, when used), but in the US I've seen - although not tested - a huge variance of 911 prices, so I wasn't totally sure about mine. But, the more I think about it, it was a good deal.
Incidentally, mine was in the N. East too, but had been a "beach car", to quote one of the past owners. Explains the lack of rust, I guess.
Love to see some pictures of it.
Oh yeah, mine is Tangerine too.

[Bobboloo]

Dave,
I think your roomy got a good deal. It's plain hard to find an early car in that condition anywhere. I live in Socal and only see them at Porsche events forsale and there not cheap. Great period color too. Don't let him change it.
Obviously he should drain the gas tank before he starts it up and check for rust. You might want to search the archives for all the proceedures to go through before starting it. i.e. B-12 chem tool for the pump etc. I know Warren has written several threads regarding this. There has also been threads regarding what you do for the pistons as well.

Congrats to your roomate
Bobby

[zotman72]

Your roommate needs a proper welcome to the 72T world. There are quite a few 72 911T pilots out in the world. I rescued mine from a dingy Seattle garage in '93 with 87K on the clock. Sat for 10+ years too.

First off, get that old gas out of the tank, DO NOT attempt to start it with old gas. Good chance that the tank is rusted, pull it and take to a radiator shop to get it sealed up. If you get rust through the MFI, you will get serious problems (the fuel filter alone is $50 !). Drain all the iother fluids and replace/flush. Especially master cylinder. Do not bleed brake by the foot pump method or you surely be buying a new MC. My #4 cylinder head had corrosion in it, due to probably gas dribbling out an injector or something. Anyway, once the engine is drained of its oil, do a valve adjustment and then a compression/leakdown test if possible. This will tell what state things are on the topend of the engine. Pull the oil strainer out too and check out the screen. The electric fuel pump probably is seized with old gas, however it might start up with a couple well placed whacks with a mallet (plastic/rubber).
Like others said, there has got to be something in the archives to go by, to get this diamond in the rough back on the road. Congrads to your roomie. I paid $5K for mine and have dropped three times that into it over the last nine years. Your friend price seems fair to me but things get expensive quickly on old 911s. Owners must be able to do most of their work themselves.

[cegerer]

In regard to the paint, I guess that's a matter of opinion. I personally like to see imperfect original paint.

I understand exactly where you're coming from. My neighbor has a 1966 Mercury Comet/Capri. His dad bought it new. It came from the factory with a 427 side-oiler (same motor as the Cobras and some GT40's). Only 33 of these made. The paint is original, but cracked and faded in areas. The rear fenders were banged out with a ballpeen hammer when the car was only a couple of years old to allow clearance for racing slicks. We have debates about whether the car is more valuable 'as is' or with a restoration. I say 'as is'. It is, like you say, a time machine! -- Curt

[david c.]

What does a "T" welcome include?

I guess he and I both are due. I just bought a 73 ROW "T" with the
carbs. See the thread about the $250 911. But, my "T" and his "T" are worlds apart!

As to the 72, the gas tank will come out quickly. After draining
the system, we'll have it cleaned and sealed. We ordered a new
fuel filter as a matter of course.

As for the injector pump, the deal included a seperate working one.
We just have to swap out the old one. My mechanic turns the old
"T" pumps into pumps for his RS spec engines. So, we scored a nice
stroke of luck there. No worries about the injection pump.

The engine turns easily with a wrench. We haven't tried to start
it, but it certainly not seized.

It will be flatbedded to the house on Saturday.

David