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Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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Just bought a 76 911 that has been sitting for a while.. Questions!
I just picked up this 76 911 this week from a guy who has not driven it in about a year and a half. He got the car started recently and sent me a video of it running but he says that running old gas has fouled the plugs and it will not restart now. I had the car towed to my garage and its sitting secure now. I have owned many cars but this is my first classic 911. The previous owner had this car since 99 and purchased from a guy in hawaii. He says he only put about 6k miles on it since 99 and the odo shows 50,300 miles, he says they are original. I believe the wheels are fuch's, the interior is in nice shape and it had seat covers on it up until now. The car has a 3 speed sportomatic transmission. I have plans to restore the car and get it in proper operating condition, and am relying on this forum for getting me up to date on these.
I have a few questions about it: 1. The paint is a bit rough but the car has no rust underneath or inside, there is paint bubbling in certain spots, missing clearcoat spots by the fenders etc, because of this I want to repaint the whole car. The question is should I repaint it the original brown color or any other color I desire (guards red?) will repainting a different color kill the cars value? 2. This car seems to have been converted to a wide body, he says it was originally imported from germany.... Is there a way to see the original factory specs for this model by the vin number (its a short vin and the decoder doesnt show anything). 3. Before attempting to start the car up what precautions should I do? From what I have read it is to drain the gas tank, change fuel filter, change spark plugs and oil.... Anything else? 4. Is a sportomatic transmission desireable? He told me that there are probably only 50 cars like this in the united states with this color/this type of transmission, and having a hard top with no sunroof? I have never seen a sportomatic one until this car didnt even know they existed! Here are some pictures for reference the day I picked it up any help or info would be greatly appreciated! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 1,493
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Welcome. That is the same shift knob I have. Was on sale at Pep Boys for $2.00 or something like that awhile back. The Sportomatic is rare, but not sure about desirable (I wouldn't want one, because it would be a nightmare to fix if it broke because parts and people who have experience working on them are rare). The car has the turbo flared fenders (which could be fiberglass aftermarket or steel factory parts) and the orange Euro rear lights. I think long hoses on the engine indicate it may have had an engine swap (I don't think that electric blower fan and those hoses were added until later). Non-sunroof is rare and a little lighter/stiff than sunroof car.
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1982 911SC, Mocal oil cooler, Bilsteins, Carrera tensioners, backdated heat, factory short shift, Seine gate shift, turbo tie rods, pop off. 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 kompressor sport 6-speed (daily driver) |
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: sectors R&N, SE Pa
Posts: 3,117
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Congrats and welcome.
Search for labels and post the option numbers (assuming 76 had labels for that) and post the vin. opinions: The bubbles might not be good news. I'd say any color you wanted (to match interior unless you change that too). You should change the oil too - read up on how to do that here. Add ignition lines, rotor, cap, air filter to you list. Check the condition of your tires. The suspension is going to need some attention, she looks a little low in the rear. Good luck, and keep us informed.
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Dan '87 Targa Carrera 3.2 - Fabspeed Cat Bypass, M&K Muffler, SW Chip Venetian Blue Last edited by steely; 06-27-2011 at 03:29 PM.. Reason: added some stuff |
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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previous owner said he replaced the ignition lines, rotor and cap , and the intake is a k&n... he also said he paid almost 2k to have the vaccum clutch (something like that) replaced.
Those duct hoses are not supposed to be there? |
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,067
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There are lots of threads on reviving cars that haven't been run in awhile. Do a search and you'll find them. Some of the many things to consider (and there are LOTS more)...
Draining and replacing the gas. Checking and possibly replacing the brake lines. Changing the fuel filter Putting some Marvel Mystery Oil down the plug holes and turning it over by hand a few times before trying to start it Changing the oil Replacing the plugs Changing the oil filter Changing the air filter Distributor cap replacement Rotor replacement Most of the time, bubbling paint is "the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to rust. Before even thinking about paint, you need to start probing the areas that are bubbling to see how deep and wide the rust goes. You have to get ALL of it or else, like cancer, it will simply come back and ruin your new paint. And the fact that the car was in Hawaii, in the humid climate, is a red flag. You should start by removing the paint in the bubbling areas to see what's going on, and then using an ice pick or awl to poke around and see how deep the rust problems go. You should also look in some of the areas that are known to be rust problems -- behind the rocker panel covers, the jack receiver, the suspension pan, etc. etc. If you search for the terms "rust" or "rust repair" you'll find lots of threads on this. There's also the paint and body forum, where experts can help you. Welcome to the forum. There's a wealth of info here, and lots of people willing to help. Keep us posted on your progress!
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1984 Targa |
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Mike Holbrook
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I think the sportmatic could be an OK thing. Certainly not as desireable as a manual car but it might still be fun to drive. My paint cost $6500 with minimal body work and rust minor surface rust repair in a couple places. My car is a 79 which was zinc dipped and your car has no rust protection.
I'd lose the "Turbo" badge. It does have a turbo T-tray spoiler. Clean and repaint the black centers of the wheels and that will freshen it up a lot. If this is to be a daily driver, I think you will be ok. Just go over the various systems to be sure your are safe. It is a mid-year and with the sporto not the most desireable. Around here, the rub is that they are all $20k cars. Either you pay $20k and get a decent rust free example, or you spend at least that much getting there. You have to pick your level of pain. I think the car looks fairly good and you might be able to match the paint in spray cans and fix the little areas for a more presentable look at a minimal expense. Finally, it is your car, do whatever you want. Enjoy.
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Mike Holbrook Meridian, ID 1979 911SC Targa |
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Registered
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Sportomatic!
Don't let the Sporto scare you.
If the vacuum servo has been replaced that's the worst of it, so no worries. I know, I just finished up replacing mine. Here's a pic of my car, a '78 NON-sunroof SC. ![]() Sporto's are great in traffic and when working properly are easy to live with. I'd venture to say very few cars of equal power are quicker off the line so they are auto-x happy. If it was mine I'd try to save the paint on your car, but that's just me. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress.
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Scott '78 SC mit Sportomatic - Sold |
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Those look correct to me. My '76 had them also.
The car actually looks like a decent platform for something fun.
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Mike 1976 Euro 911 3.2 w/10.3 compression & SSIs 22/29 torsions, 22/22 adjustable sways, Carrera brakes |
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76 911S Targa
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,150
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I have a 76 with the paint bubbling up. This was the first year in the US that galvanized body panels were used throughout. I don't know about the Euro models. Someone here does. Anyway, the paint is peeling off the galvanized panels with bright clean metal underneath, apparently a feature of the 1976 galvanizing before Porsche painters figured out how to paint zinc. You may be in the same boat: no rust, just paint peeling off the zinc. A quick fingernail will tell you.
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Registered
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 1,493
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My bad. I was thinking they were added in '78.
One thing to check is rust under battery; rust there can weaken suspension mounting points and is not easy to fix.
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1982 911SC, Mocal oil cooler, Bilsteins, Carrera tensioners, backdated heat, factory short shift, Seine gate shift, turbo tie rods, pop off. 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 kompressor sport 6-speed (daily driver) |
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