Calling all" middie" experts

[porschetub]

Kind of" tyre kicking" really and sorry I have been a bit busy to research this fully.
What I need to know is do the galvanised cars have the same rust issues as the early cars if they have been on salted winter roads?
What is the supply of repair panels like for the middies? the car in question has corroded lockposts (so kidney bowls also? ) inner front guards (tank support?)and questionable top sills around the threshold plates,there appears to be rust @ the base of the targa bar also.
Thanks in advance

[timmy2]

Run away, you will end up so upside down repairing the rust in a mid year car that has rust, it will make your head spin. Save your money and buy a rust free car.
Remember, what you can see for rust is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more you cannot see.
I believe the first completely galvanized cars started with the '78 SC.

[porschetub]

Thanks Dennis,aware of how rust hides have done many rustorations,cars a 79,not under any doubts about the cancer but the car is very presentable (besides underbody rust and RH drive which is important in my country.
I'am waiting to here back from the seller,about the motor/gearbox condition,the price is really good so if the body is total crap I could part it out for $$$$.
So are the repair panels hard to find?

[Winter]

I don't think there is much demand for middies so donor body parts should be available. Most here would suggest you find a rust free example. Good luck.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by porschetub

Thanks Dennis,aware of how rust hides have done many rustorations,cars a 79,not under any doubts about the cancer but the car is very presentable (besides underbody rust and RH drive which is important in my country.
I'am waiting to here back from the seller,about the motor/gearbox condition,the price is really good so if the body is total crap I could part it out for $$$$.
So are the repair panels hard to find?

Since the car in question is a 79, it's not a "middie," but rather an SC and has the 3.0 liter engine, and wide fender flairs lacking in the 74-77 cars. I, too, would advise looking for a rust free car in lieu of repairing this one but it appears to have some special things that are important to you--RHD and a really good price..

[porschetub]

So its not truely a middie?so would it have to be a 2.7 ?.
Fresh info from owner tells me the car is a runner but has a small leak @ the oil cooler,has done 85K miles and has all oversea's paperwork,will report back as I'am hoping to talk to him today.
Thanks for the comments so far.

[javadog]

People consider the mid year cars to be those from 1974-1977. There are quite a few differences between those cars and the 1978 and later 911SC. Repair parts are not hard to find here, no idea what it's like in your country, but you may have more difficulty and expense than we do in the USA. If a '79SC has as much rust as you suggest, I'll say that if you took the car apart you'd find a lot more than what you see now and the cost to repair it is more than the car is worth.

JR

[Matt Monson]

Both mids and SCs have taken off of late. Cars that were previously considered dead and done are being repaired. This car sounds worth saving in this new market.

[Winter]

Looking forward to what this "new market" does to the value of my '75!

But yeah the RHD and cosmetics of the interior along with price could be deal makers.

Only you can decide, sounds like the rust doesn't scare you. Good luck!

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by Winter

Looking forward to what this "new market" does to the value of my '75!

But yeah the RHD and cosmetics of the interior along with price could be deal makers.

Only you can decide, sounds like the rust doesn't scare you. Good luck!

Just talked to the guy that is selling for the owner,the car is checked out as good mechanically with the exception of cooler leak and rusted rear brake shields,the check was performed by a porsche specialist ,mileage is verified @ 123,000 kms (euro spec car) and has a good history file and present owner for 13yrs,dry stored for last 8 yrs but run up and driven on a regular basis,wow this is interesting news.
And yes car is rusty but price is around 8000USD but my get for less.
The rust doesn't worry me too much ( it has been asessed as non structual?)the car has a nice interior and exterior but a full size whaletail which will be gone if I buy it.
Will update ASAP,thanks guys

[porschetub]

Sad day ,new info from seller,car has 123,000miles not kilometers,is a good car to drive but the rust is WAY worse than originally thought,when the car was presented for compliancce inspection the tester said to the seller "I won't waste your money (250 NZD) on an inspection".
The underbody has been patched everywhere,then the seller mentioned rust bubbles around the front window,he was a very honest guy and I was stoked that he came up with the truth, I pulled out off the the deal had a beer and thought what the heh I still have my other Porsches .
Then later I popped the bonnet on the 944 put in a charged battery and went for a good high speed blast it was still a good day.
Thanks a lot for the advise from all that answered my post.

[Winter]

Perhaps you can find a shell and then get this one only for parts. I'll bet the price has really gone down now!

Patience and nice drives in the 944 will go a long way in making your search easier!

[Matt Monson]

123k is just broken in on a 3.0l. Though it does sound like you need to find a roller if you want it.

[timmy2]

Lots if dry rust free rollers over here in the US to use as a builder if you can buy that one for parts cheap.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by timmy2

I believe the first completely galvanized cars started with the '78 SC.

Factory started using galvanized panels surprisingly early - but as usual, exhausting existing stock first; I've read that '76 was galvanized except for the roof panel; by '77, even the roof was galvanized.

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Lots if dry rust free rollers over here in the US to use as a builder if you can buy that one for parts cheap.

Freight and lh drive,there the issue.

[RWebb]

if it is in NZ you can easily compare the price with a US car + shipping + travel costs for your 'vacation' to California

are you young enough and skilled enough in bodywork to fix a rusty car? do you have time?

there is also Australia, which will be a lot closer

I agree that this could make a nice parts car, but again that is more work and who knows if you will need those parts for the car you do buy

Good Luck