Opinons On This 911 For Dad To Buy

[MattKellett]

My father is looking to buy an 80's 911 and the search has begun.

A little history first. He had his first 911, an '83 SC Cab which he bought new, he kept for about 4 or 5 years. He turned 70 last year and has decided if he doesn't buy another one now, he never will. He's still very active, drives an MGA for fun that he's owned for at least 25 years, my parents travel all over Europe in this car and I think now he's looking for something a little more comfortable for these journeys. Even though he'll never sell the MG.


Below are some photos he just sent me of a 3.2 Carrera with just under 50k miles.

I know it's hard to tell anything from photos, but does anything scream out to you for alarm bells to ring. I think it must be an '84. I did suggest an '87-'89 with the g50 and updated ventalation, with the possibility of a/c for the traveling in France, even if it will mean probably fixing the system.

The things I have noted so far are: Engine compartment blower - should there be one? ; Painted wheels 15"? ; Headlights; Door lids; Gearbox - what box is in this car?; Pasha and vinyl (I love it); No a/c; No center console; SC steering wheel.

Experts please please give me your goods and bads on the this car.

I love the look of this car btw, from the wheels to the colour to the interior.

PPI will be performed.

Many thanks
Matt and Matt's dad(future pelican)

[Jeff964]

I love the interior! The "Carrera" badge is incorrectly placed. Water leakage of the targa may be a problem. But, since your father has driven an MG for 25yrs, a water leak here or there should not be a nuisance to him.

[kach22i]

The targa bar seems a little glossy, but it's most likely just waxed. The targa logo may have been glued on a little slanted, hard to tell, but I would not worry about it.

It's hard to refinish the targa bar with the script on. The fasteners for the targa bar are accessed though the wheel well after taking a bunch of things apart. Many people refinish the bar without removing it. Other people will saw off the logo securing posts and glue the targa logo back on after refinishing.

Great interior.

Get a proper PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) done at a good shop.

[MH911]

Good looking car, Matt. Your dad sounds like a good guy too.

[MattKellett]

Just got off the phone with him and he's going to keep checking this thread.

I think he might drive up to look at this car, definitely will get a ppi if things develop any further. Car is priced around 14k pounds, which is a pretty good price over there. I'm thinking at some stage the car has been repainted as the paint looks to be in great shape - I did notice Carrera badge that is low, thanks for pointing out the Targa badge and that the bar might have been refinished.

PPI will probably be Peter Morgan who is very well respected in the UK Porsche community.

He's also looking into this car:

1989 Porsche 911 3.2 Targa, Diamond blue metallic #BDB8BF | Used Porsche for sale

So far nothing he's seen has a/c, so I guess it's fairy rare in the UK.

A couple of photos of Dad and MG

My dad


My Mum somewhere in France on rally with the MG

[kidrock]

I absolutely love those old MG's. What a great looking example.

[dhagood]

based upon the photos:

- the engine at least looks to be a 3.2 liter based upon the induction.
- it "should" therefore have an engine blower; has the heat been backdated?
- the car has had a partial repaint/restoration. it looks like both the targa bar and the wheels have been painted with a glossy black. satin black is both stock and better looking to my eye (YMMV).
- the US market did not get that interior, which is our loss.
- is that a sport steering wheel?
- does the car have an aftermarket exhaust?
- gearbox will be either a 915 or a G50. i don't know how to tell by looking at the exterior

car looks good with no obviously misaligned body panels that i can see. if the PPI checks out and the price is reasonable, i would think your dad would be very happy.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by MattKellett

He's also looking into this car:

1989 Porsche 911 3.2 Targa, Diamond blue metallic #BDB8BF | Used Porsche for sale

Another very nice car, I kind of like it more despite saying in the past that a tail don't look right on a Targa (except a duck). It has the proper amount of gloss on the targa bar, and the wheels look better. However, these are very superficial things which can easily be changed to the owners taste.

[G50Mike]

For sure 915 box.

The reflective center panel between the tail lights has the black "Porsche"-branding while the G50 box cars have it in clear and the script is more narrow. The centerpanel also includes rear fog lights in the G50 cars, while here there's only reflectors with the optional rear fog added-on underneath the bumper, which is correct for a 915 box.

You can clearly see the difference with the Diamond Blue car.

Good luck on the search!

[tcar]

Probably an 84. ONly 84 Carrera had that steering wheel.

That rear reflector panel used from 74-86.

No A/C, and possibly no heat (unless it's been backdated).

Center console was optional in Europe.

Rear engine lid, targa bar and wheels at least have been repainted. Possibly (probably) the entire car? Why????

Second car???? You can hardly tell anything about condition from Dealer 'Studio' pictures.

[tevake]

Hey Matt, Have you considered finding a nice car there in So Cal, getting it sorted then shipping it over? Looks like you are well set up there, with lots of good cars for sell and known shops to get it together. With the exchange rate and higher prices there does this make sense?

I too love that MGA of your Dads. I bet he has had some neat trips there in Europe. Where does he keep it there? Does he do events, rallies, historic race weekends, etc?

Cheers Richard

[MattKellett]

Thank you all so much for your comments.

The car has recently had a new stainless steel exhaust and brake lines and rotors/pads I believe.

Something is definitely not quite right with the heating, as the blower is missing. So that's something he's going to have to look into.

Also reasons for repaint, for cosmetics or crash damage need to be verified.

It's an '84 for sure, after doing a little research here.

He wants a right hand drive, so buying one out here is out - but I'm sure he can find a nice one in the UK.

The MGA has been driven all over Europe, down into Spain, Germany, France, Italy all the way to Prague - they are very active and have some great adventures with it, they've been on most of the race tracks now in Europe driving this car, so hopefully the 911 will get the same amount of fun. They go on many historic runs and rallies in the UK and Continental Europe.

The second car is being sold by Paul Stevens, who as I understand is a very reputable dealer (or as good as one can be anyway).


Thanks again guys, I'll keep you updated on how the inspections turn out and which car he buys. Maybe he'll even get around to joining the forum

[lgb240]

Good luck with the search - he'll be in good hands here.

Your dad has excellent taste in cars!!

(my 58 MGA, '87 Carrera)

[Bear911]

My vote goes to the blue one. G50 plus it looks less molested. Then again, that Pascha interior does look stunning. Mmm.

Your old man sounds like a proper petrolhead. Buying a Targa because it is more refined - How awesome is that??

[Justin@Athens]

It looks like the first car is a 915 gearbox, which is fine, but the hydraulic clutch in the gertrag g50 will handle a lot more abuse and be more reliable over time.

[techweenie]

My gut tells me the Euro Targa is not your best choice. And my gut has become quite substantial over the years.

[MattKellett]

techweenie - I think he's pretty much set on buying a targa at this point, he had a cabriolet back in the eighties, but I think he believes this will be better so that they can take their small dogs with them, rather than having a total open car and worrying about them on the back shelf falling out or something

As he's in the UK all the cars he'll be looking at are Euro models, is there a reason why you're thinking it's not a good idea?

Cheers Matt

[techweenie]

It's the idiosyncratic way the car was modified that concerns me.

[Techne]

Originally Posted by techweenie

It's the idiosyncratic way the car was modified that concerns me.

+1

The little things that are off that we can see (Carrera script too low, Targa script crooked, targa bar too shiny, no heat blower, polished wheel refinish w/center caps that look grey?) are red flag type of things that turn me off when I am shopping, anyway.

What does that say about what we can't see and how previous owners have approached maintenance and repair over the years?

[G50Mike]

A 3.2 with 915 gear box with less then 50k miles? Not seen many with such low mileage...
The '89 looks decent value.