I'm back! With an '83 Coupe...

[Paul K]

All:

First 911 was an '89 targa back in '07;



Loved it, but the A/C wasn't much use once it got over 85 degrees. Plus I always wanted the top off, and my wife wanted it back on. In addition, I wanted to drive the car year round. So in '09 I sold it & bought a 993;



Loved it. Much better A/C, quieter, all wheel drive, and great looking. But after a few years I decided to sell it to free up some cash for a few projects.

Never thought I'd miss owning a car so much!

So last week I picked up an '83 Coupe;



This thing is a blast! I actually prefer the 'feel' of it to my 993. The A/C doesn't work, the paint/body has some dings.dents and scratches, and the Fuchs are in need of some paint, but it has had the head studs replaced, Carrera chain tensioners installed, engine rebuild, regular maintenance and runs like a champ.

So I have some upgrades planned...

-A/C. I've done some research but am not sure what the 'latest & greatest' is? I know it's going to cost me several thousand, but is a necessity as the weather here goes well into the 90's in the summer. Need help with this!

-H4's. Anyone got a set for sale? Preferably with India Red trim rings? If not, cheapest place to get some?

-Short shift kit & correct shift knob. After some research, I'm going OEM. I think RacerBVD has one FS, failing that I'll pick one up from our host.

-930s Steering wheel. I put one in my targa & loved it. Again, if you have a used 930s wheel or just the hub I am interested.

-Stone guards. Is it 'the done thing' to put them on a NB car? I always thought they look cool on red coupes.

There's some other small stuff it needs- New hood crest, Floor mats, hood shocks, and trunk seal. But overall I'm really happy with it.

Thoughts/comments/suggestions? Got any of the stuff I'm looking for?

Cheers,

Paul.

[Oh Haha]

Welcome back!!!

Your 993 looked awesome with the 996 wheels and the stance was right on.

Enjoy the "new" 911.

[Dkennel]

I looked at a/c for a while. I did a rennaire upgrade, it is not even close to the a/c blowing in my Tahoe, but I can drive the car all year with it in Texas heat. I would look at Griffiths, Rennaire, and retro-air as different options, just depends how much you want to spend...
My favorite steering wheel is the Momo prototipo. I replaced the flag mirrors with vitaloni sebring mirrors, smaller mirrors, need to go concave on both sides, looks sharp on the 74-89.
Good Luck!

[DRACO A5OG]

Welcome Back Sir!

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Dkennel

I looked at a/c for a while. I did a rennaire upgrade, it is not even close to the a/c blowing in my Tahoe, but I can drive the car all year with it in Texas heat. I would look at Griffiths, Rennaire, and retro-air as different options, just depends how much you want to spend...
My favorite steering wheel is the Momo prototipo. I replaced the flag mirrors with vitaloni sebring mirrors, smaller mirrors, need to go concave on both sides, looks sharp on the 74-89.
Good Luck!

DKennel:

How hot does it get in TX? What is your vent temp? I'd consider going up to $2.5k if I could get properly cold air.

Thanks,

Paul.

[f5niac]

My '85 coupe looks just like yours. I love it. Money no object, would you have the SC or the 993?

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by f5niac

My '85 coupe looks just like yours. I love it. Money no object, would you have the SC or the 993?

I'd go for the '83 if it had good A/C.

993 was fun, but the smile factor was slightly less...

[Arne2]

Paul, did you buy it from a guy in NE Portland? I think I drove that car a few weeks back when I was shopping.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Arne2

Paul, did you buy it from a guy in NE Portland? I think I drove that car a few weeks back when I was shopping.

Yes. Why did you pass?

[Arne2]

It was a good, honest car. I just thought his asking price was a bit too high. Probably would have made him an offer if the next car I looked at for about the same price hadn't been so nice.

[Rot 911]

Nice car but those fuchs are begging for a vaseline treatment!

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Paul K

All:

First 911 was an '89 targa back in '07;



Loved it, but the A/C wasn't much use once it got over 85 degrees. Plus I always wanted the top off, and my wife wanted it back on. In addition, I wanted to drive the car year round. So in '09 I sold it & bought a 993;



Loved it. Much better A/C, quieter, all wheel drive, and great looking. But after a few years I decided to sell it to free up some cash for a few projects.

Never thought I'd miss owning a car so much!

So last week I picked up an '83 Coupe;



This thing is a blast! I actually prefer the 'feel' of it to my 993. The A/C doesn't work, the paint/body has some dings.dents and scratches, and the Fuchs are in need of some paint, but it has had the head studs replaced, Carrera chain tensioners installed, engine rebuild, regular maintenance and runs like a champ.

So I have some upgrades planned...

-A/C. I've done some research but am not sure what the 'latest & greatest' is? I know it's going to cost me several thousand, but is a necessity as the weather here goes well into the 90's in the summer. Need help with this!

-H4's. Anyone got a set for sale? Preferably with India Red trim rings? If not, cheapest place to get some?

-Short shift kit & correct shift knob. After some research, I'm going OEM. I think RacerBVD has one FS, failing that I'll pick one up from our host.

-930s Steering wheel. I put one in my targa & loved it. Again, if you have a used 930s wheel or just the hub I am interested.

-Stone guards. Is it 'the done thing' to put them on a NB car? I always thought they look cool on red coupes.

There's some other small stuff it needs- New hood crest, Floor mats, hood shocks, and trunk seal. But overall I'm really happy with it.

Thoughts/comments/suggestions? Got any of the stuff I'm looking for?

Cheers,

Paul.

If you do eBay, here's some H4s.

68-86 Porsche H4 Headlight Euro Set 911 911SC 912E 930 | eBay

[mholbrook38]

Great looking car and welcome back. H-4's are fairly easy, I recommend our host and getting the cover's painted to match locally. They come with black or chrome rings if you don't want the covers on. You can go either way.

The A/C is a poser. I think you will be better off since you have a coupe and that is a lot less glass than a Targa. I did mine over this summer. I finally got the vent temps to about 34 degrees but there is just not enough air blowing through it. I can keep things OK if I keep moving like on the highway. Bearable. I spent a little over a grand and did all the work myself. If you are going to have it done, expect a lot more. I changed out all hoses, compressor, dryer, the condenser in the engine lid, the expansion valve and used R-12 obtained locally. I'm in Boise area which is climatically similar to Eastern Oregon. I added a vent that is attached to the bottom of the ash tray with double stick tape. I have a few ideas about more flow but who knows if that will work. Next year anyway. If you do it, change out the front and rear condensers for the cross flow type, rotary compressor, and new hoses. I also added a puller fan that just clears the air cleaner on the left side of the condenser.

Anyway, welcome back and have fun with the winter projects.

[911dean]

Welcome back. It seems like it would be difficult not to own one. I've only have had my '84 for a few months and 1500 miles. I've never enjoyed a car more. Wish I bought one years ago.
Dean

[g_vaxed]

Welcome back. Looks like a good car with a good engine. I will disagree with you on the smile factor of 993's. No other 911 I've owned gives me more smiles than my 993 does. No disrespect, but I wouldn't trade my 993 for an SC + 20K in cash. To each his own... btw, how was the 993's AWD in wintry conditions? Good Luck with your 'new' car!

[LakeCleElum]

Paul - You are an example to us. Never sell, you'll regret it...Great looking 911.

Instead of AC, just head up the Mtn in the summer? Anthony Lakes, Granite, Sumpter and the make the loop. Head up Dooley Mtn, great road.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Arne2

It was a good, honest car. I just thought his asking price was a bit too high. Probably would have made him an offer if the next car I looked at for about the same price hadn't been so nice.

I paid $11,800 for it. What was he asking then?

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by Paul K

I paid $11,800 for it. What was he asking then?

Ahh! That's a reasonable price for the car. He was asking $15,500 in mid-October. Well bought, I felt it was a good car.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Paul - You are an example to us. Never sell, you'll regret it...Great looking 911.

Instead of AC, just head up the Mtn in the summer? Anthony Lakes, Granite, Sumpter and the make the loop. Head up Dooley Mtn, great road.

Dooley Mtn is a great road. But down here in the valley it gets stupid hot, so I'll need AC for sure!

Originally Posted by g_vaxed

Welcome back. Looks like a good car with a good engine. I will disagree with you on the smile factor of 993's. No other 911 I've owned gives me more smiles than my 993 does. No disrespect, but I wouldn't trade my 993 for an SC + 20K in cash. To each his own... btw, how was the 993's AWD in wintry conditions? Good Luck with your 'new' car!

We could debate this for ever! I loved the 993 but it didn't 'feel' as fast as the earlier cars. I took the 993 out in 5" of new snow last winter, with snow tires on. It was amazing- and the AWD never even kicked in!

Originally Posted by mholbrook38

Great looking car and welcome back. H-4's are fairly easy, I recommend our host and getting the cover's painted to match locally. They come with black or chrome rings if you don't want the covers on. You can go either way.

The A/C is a poser. I think you will be better off since you have a coupe and that is a lot less glass than a Targa. I did mine over this summer. I finally got the vent temps to about 34 degrees but there is just not enough air blowing through it. I can keep things OK if I keep moving like on the highway. Bearable. I spent a little over a grand and did all the work myself. If you are going to have it done, expect a lot more. I changed out all hoses, compressor, dryer, the condenser in the engine lid, the expansion valve and used R-12 obtained locally. I'm in Boise area which is climatically similar to Eastern Oregon. I added a vent that is attached to the bottom of the ash tray with double stick tape. I have a few ideas about more flow but who knows if that will work. Next year anyway. If you do it, change out the front and rear condensers for the cross flow type, rotary compressor, and new hoses. I also added a puller fan that just clears the air cleaner on the left side of the condenser.

Anyway, welcome back and have fun with the winter projects.

I'd like to see your setup. maybe next time I am in Boise we can meet up? Dang, I was just there this weekend!

[LWJ]

Paul,

Do you have the factory AC with two condensors? Some cars have a second condensor in the front. It has a blower motor to move additional air over it. My 80 SC has this and works well. My only complaint with the AC is that if I am in traffic or moving very slowly, the heat dumped into the engine from the AC gives me a significant temp spike.

You might just check to see what kind of cooling your AC does before hot-rodding the whole system. That can get expensive quickly.

Congrats! I look forward to seeing your car in person.

Larry