Shop Class Project

[Mike911SC]

This may seem a stupid question but I can thing of no better place than here to throw this idea out for a bit of discussion and hopefully some good input.

My son has a 1978 Targa in the Chicago area and I have a 1982 Targa here in Budapest. My dream is for him to have his restored and then ship it to Europe to do a pan-European tour with the two cars. Unfortunately, the shipping part is phase 2 and we must first accomplish phase 1 - the restoration

The challenge is that he does not have the time to do the work himself, nor the cash to farm out the entire project to a specialty shop. We kicked around a few ideas and one which seemed like it might have legs or at least may warrant a bit more investigation was as a possible Shop Call Project Car.

The idea would be to provide the car to a junior college, tech school, etc. and then serve as the funding source for all parts. The students would do all the work through the shop class with oversight or validation of their work periodically by a certified Porsche mechanic or equivalent. The students then get some form of certification, albeit not as a full blown Porsche mechanic, and we get the car back fully restored.

Although the car is in reasonably good condition, as with any car that is over 30 years old, things need to be addressed and what better way than a complete tear down and rebuild - front to back - top to bottom. Everybody wins and another Porsche is put back on the road the way it left the factory in 1978 or at least pretty close.

All in all, maybe a good idea or maybe total craziness. I know this could be frought with issues, the least of which could be the risk of handing a complex piece of machinery to a team of kids or young adults with limited experience but loads of potential. However, assuming we can get past that issue, the biggest challenge I see at the moment is finding the right a school (high school, junior college or tech school) to even get the discussion started.

So, thus my decision to reach out to this forum for input, suggestions and ideas on how we might progress the concept. Although the car is located in the Chicago suburbs, we can probably arrange to move it to almost any part of the US if we can find the right opportunity, and ensure a reasonably good outcome on the back end. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions or possible schools which might be interested in participating would be appreciated.

I have attached a picture of the car as it exists today and although it looks reasonably good on first glance, as you look a bit deeper there are several issues (mechanical and cosmetic) which need addressing. I can provide more photos and details as this thread progresses but let's see how it goes.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to your input and hopefully finding a good solution in the end.

[gregwils]

The only way to find out if it is feasible is to make a few phone calls. Quite frankly, I think most schools need to equip students with skills suitable for more modern cars, because the school lives and dies on the ability to find students jobs in the real world. There just aren't enough jobs working on 20+ year old cars.

I am wrong lots of times, but I would guess this is a low probability.

[j911brick]

Even to have a school do it pro-bono you might be spending $10k-$20K just for parts and specialty work (like the roof or engine). You might consider sending it to on of those Wounded Worriers programs that help rehabilitate and retrain wounded vets. I know there is one in the San Antonio (Elmendorf) area.

[CHICKS]

I really don't think you know how tech schools, or junior colleges work. Their programs are in place to maintain accreditation. Shop classes are very high paced, as they have a lot to cover in a very short time. For the most part it is very basic, and in general classes. If you wanted to drop off the car for brakes, that would probably work, or if you want your tires balanced.. Some will build a car for drag racing or what not, but its usually extra credit, or just volunteering. When they're done its the schools to keep. They're not just going to restore your car for fun. Remember, these schools are a business. While it sounds like a good idea, I highly doubt it would work, but you never know, make some calls. Good luck!