Restoration Checklist ????

[Brian Baker]

Hello Folks,

Before I get started on the restoration off my 1969 911E I've been wondering what the best resourse is for some type of Restoration Check List. I'm on a really tight budget and need some advice in developing an outline to follow.

Any sugestions.

Thanks

Brian

[Wayne 962]

Okay, I'm not trying to be a naysayer, but your post is somewhat silly.

"restoration of 911E" and "really tight budget" don't go together. You can't do a quality job on a tight budget. I would say just drive the car and enjoy it if you don't have the $$$ to do it right...

-Wayne

[makaio]

I agree with Wayne. That's the boat I'm in for the next year or so. I had all these big plans, but now I'm not going to have the funds for a while. So I'm just going to being doing the general maintenance untill I have the $.

[epbrown]

Wow, hope you aren't too bruised up from those last 2 replies! If not, let's talk resto...

There's 2 kinds, right off the bat. The rolling restoration, and the stationary one.

What I think the previous 2 posters were taling about is the latter. With that one, you pretty much clear out a space at least 2X as big as the car, completely disassemble it, replace/refurbish/refinish everything, rebuild the engine, and put it back together. Doing the job properly will take you at least a year, more likely two or three, and cost a ton.

Upside: you'll end up with a "new" vintage Porsche and you'll most definitely know your car inside and out, from Fuchs wheels to sunroof seals. Downside: You're without the car for an extended period, the same as not owning a Porsche but more expensive! And the car will immediately be worth less than you put into it.

This kind of resto project is the most frequently abandoned kind. Without driving the car, you tend to lose enthusiasm for it. It takes a lot of discipline to keep plugging away at a rusty money-pit while you and your wife's daily drivers are stuck in the driveway battling the elements and depreciating. And unless you're retired, life tends to intrude demanding your time, your money, and the space you're using for the car. Most people end up cuting their losses and bailing out, evident from the FS ads of any classic car media.

The rolling resto is sort of what I'm doing with my Rolls-Royce. Your first go through the mechanicals of the car to make it safe to drive,reliable, and that all systems (braking, suspension, electrical, fuel, ignition) are working properly.

You next start on the cosmetics, interior and exterior. Repair any problems with the body, replace or refurbish the bumpers, headlights and tailliights, trim, maybe get nice wheels.

After that, you either take the car to an auto trimmer for new seat coverings, panels, carpet and headliner, maybe a new steering wheel, have the dash recovered or all the wood refinished or do it yourself.

The final stage is upgrades and tweaks, where you add those features that you've since learned improve the car, such as cruise control, new stereo system, or mechanical updates from later models.

Upside: You continue to have use of the car during most of the restoration period, which means you get positive and negative reinforcement to continue. You're enjoying the car and getting the occasional "thumbs-up" for having such a cool car, while it looks so bad you feel awful for the old girl and want to get her up to snuff. During those periods where money or time get tight, you can put things on hold while still having use of the car. It takes up lots less space and the same number of weekends. About as much discipline, too.

Downside: You generally need a car that's already a decent driver for this kind of task. When you're done, the car won't be "new." A rolled resto usually won't have a rebuilt engine, and every part won't be shiny and new from being taking apart and lovingly cleaned and buffed. You'll end up with a good driver, and for only a little less than the other guy got a garage queen. You won't have shiny axles and jet black fittings everywhere, but...

This is less often abandoned, and you tend to recoupe more if you do bail since you're selling a run car instead of a pile of parts the new owner has to trailer home somehow. I've been doing my RR this way for a year. It's got new brakes and rear suspension, with only the front springs and shocks to do, which I'm postponing currently because it's being painted (I picked Navy Blue). By the end of June (touch wood), I'll have it back and the new springs on. From there, I'll dye the interior leather (gray) and replace the carpet (navy blue with gray piping) with a kit from a place in CA.

For the tweaks and upgrades, I'll add a modest AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo using the same 2-speaker system I got with the car (I'm not much of an audiophile), tint the windows, aftermarket cruise control, and upgrade to the later, more powerful, alternator. Maybe some alloy wheels from a later model, definitely some new Michelins. By the end of August, I'll be good to go.

Time elapsed will have been 1.5 years, with about 8 weeks of that with the car off the road (while I "suffered" with just the Porsche). Total cost will be about 7 grand, which is what I paid for the car. Much more notable is that when I'm done, the car will actually be worth $14k, which rarely happens with a resto project! And the value should hold for quite some time, as the early Shadows are stable, if not generally beloved (yet - I suspect they'll catch on soon!).

My 2 cents (excellent value, isn't it?),
Emanuel

[Zeke]

Brian, I have done a dozen or so cars varying from a '36 MG to a '77 Targa to a '44 Jeep. Frame off on the Jeep. Glass out on the Targa and all new wood on the MG (yes, MG's have lots of wood in the bodywork). So, having stated my credentials, what are your goals?

Start by assessing the car. Make your own check list. Engine, tranny, brakes, etc. Paint and interior. Glass and bodywork including rubber seals. And so on.

Get costs on items and prioritize.

If you use the *rolling resto* method, paint is probably last. or maybe interior.

I think the word *restoration* means to some nothing short of a brand new car. They would prefer you use a term like refurbish if you just fix it up decently. I say call it what you want and do it the way you want. Not all cars are going to make it to the concours. The most important thing is to read, talk to other car buffs and source out quality shops to do work you won't attempt. The last thing you want to do is have to do something over.

Enjoy it. I always have a good time with each project over all. There have been some tough moments, though.

[dhaines]

Brian, just remember there are a lot of hidden costs when restoring these cars, no matter what type of restoration. Don't "budget" all your money, or you will run out for sure. Also, it is hard to stop once you start. One thing leads to another, to another. But, that said, it sure is a wonderful thing when you are done, if you are really ever done! Have fun...