A new owner and introduction

[frannyB]

Hi All,

I have been lurking around here for a while before and since I purchased my first 911 and now that I have a few photos thought I would introduce myself and the new (to me) car

I picked up this '86 Carrera Cab off Ebay about two months ago with 106K mi on the clock. It had a glowing description and, of course spent most of its life in California and Arizona. According to the PO, it has had a tranny rebuild 9K miles ago, brake work, AC work (conv to 134A), and work to plug oil leaks and a few other odds and ends with receipts dating back to '93. Supposedly everything worked, nothing needed, etc. The car was in Alabama and I'm in Colorado and I didn't have the time to go down there and see the car in person, but the price was right and the PO did answer a lot of questions that led me to believe the car had good bones. The price was quite good I thought so I took a chance.

So, how did I do? Well, not too bad. I did get a PostPI and I was right - good bones. Strong engine with no drips; doesn't use any oil to speak of; good tranny that shifts well (better when cold weirdly); Great brakes and suspension. Steering is good as well. The body shows no signs of any accidents. The hood and right q-panel back to the door has been re-sprayed, but I suspect more for rock chips and such. No rust anywhere, but there has been some water on the left drivers side - probably from the top being open during some rain. Seats are ok - they were re-dyed (poorly), but the leather isn't badly cracked or worn. Carpet seems fine. All in all not bad. The top will need to be replaced before too long and the headliner was literally ripped out some time ago.

What I have done so far:

• I removed and rebuilt the alternator. It was charging just fine, just super noisy.
• Cleaned and polished fan and housing.
• Full tuneup - Valves, oil and filter, plugs, air filter, rotor, cap, both fan belts.
• Replaced all four CV booties (actually kind of fun!). Three were ripped, but the joints were fine.
• Fixed (cleaned) door switch both sides
• Fixed stuck heat air selector
• Lubed both foot-well heater fans. Nice to get rid of the crazed squirrels!
• Sent off and got speedo odometer fixed. Supposedly it broke when the car was shipped
• Replaced the 10 year old tires with Michelin Pilot Exaltos
• Unclogged the windshield washer reservoir and pump (euw!)
• Replaced pass door lock pushrod.
• Adjusted both driver and pass windows rise height and greased all the mechanisms
• Adjusted pass door strike plate(door was proud)
• Removed crappy CD changer in frunk
• Cleaned electric seat switch contacts
• Re-covered top and rear window seals with correct fabric.
• Replaced PO’s awful shift knob with replica.
• Replace burned out bulb under bonnet
• Fixed left turn signal (switch not latching)
• Lubed every cable and hinge and ball joint, etc.
• Adjusted boot latch cable so boot latched properly

Things still on the short list:

• Replace shifter bushings and adjust shift linkage
• Replace 10yr old tranny fluid
• I have a new headliner to install
• Full alignment and center steering wheel
• Get rear right sway bar mount repaired (welded)
• Replace that noisy fuel pump and replace the filter (both on order)
• Re-pack and adjust front wheel bearings

After all that, the car should be pretty good for a while. It starts and runs well; accelerates well and feels pretty solid. It really is a blast to drive! The first time I drove a 911, was to take it down to get the emissions! We also have an “heirloom” ’58 356A that I finally have sorted (I think) and a 987 Boxster S so the Carrera fits right in the middle. It is really fun to drive one after the other and feel the lineage. I really like the connection you get with the 911. Compared to the 356 it is a beast! Raw and intense. Compared to the Boxster it is more engaging and rewarding when driven correctly, but more annoying and demanding when not driven with attention. It is a fun convertible – easy to get the manual top up and down – less fuss than the 356, and faster than the Boxster. Oh, and about that “poser” tail… Obviously not original (being a turbo tail), but it is from the 80’s – Cyndi Lauper and Boy George. It is outrageous but I love it!
The Carrera is that kind of car that is a bit of work to maintain and drive and you can be a bit tired after an outing, but you just can’t get it out of your head and always leaves you dreaming of the next drive.

Finally I want to say thanks for all the help I’ve gotten from the members here. You guys almost make it too easy with all the great knowledge and eagerness to help. I’m sure I’ll have lots more questions as new challenges come up.

Thanks,

Franny

[80-911SC]

just what we needed here .... another cab ....

Nice looking car .... sounds like you've been busy with it also ...

Welcome ...

[sacoffee]

Looks very nice, great write up. My next is to replace VR in alternator and will clean fan housing at same time

[irobertson]

Welcome, looks great! The burgundy interior is a nice contrast to the white.

[ivangene]

beautiful

welcome!

[GH85Carrera]

Welcome!

Great looking car. I am a bit prejudiced I will admit. This is my car.



Grand Prix White and white Fuch. You have good taste!

Now get out there and drive that car!

[frannyB]

Thanks everyone!

I really like the white with the white Fuchs. With the tail and the burgundy interior I just couldn't pass up the name Shamu. Shamu is white and black with a tail and red on the inside so...

I have put probably 500 miles on the car so far. There is a big PCA trip to Steamboat in a few weeks so that will be its first long drive.

The car is still very original minus the radio and the addition of the tail. It came with sport seats and maybe the sport package although the option sticker just says C02. It has Bilsteins in the back and the Boge covers in the front but I'm not sure what is inside. It has been lowered to a bit below European height and the rear is about 3/8" too low. I'll get it raised to the correct European height as our roads don't support very low cars I've found out.

Nice photo Glen, I have a friend here with a white '86 coupe he races. Looks like you are having fun!

Steve, The only difficult part was getting the housing out with that additional stabilizer they install on the cabs. It was totally in the way and made getting the three air deflector nuts off difficult. Mine had never been out and the fan and housing was just awful. The fan shroud had a few cracks I cleaned and filled with JB Weld just to be safe. I ended up polishing it on a buffer wheel, but the powder coat examples I've seen in the posts look great too. Porsche should have done something like that - maybe in body color. I guess they just didn't foresee that we would be staring at other folks engines at a coffee and cars event

Speaking of that I hope that fuel pump gets here today. Our C&C is tomorrow

Franny

[911SauCy]

Love the plate!

Gorgeous car, sounds like its in good hands

[drodg]

Great car. Like the color combo

[Smoove1010]

Congrats, and that's a fine looking cab, but I'm biased... I wasn't sure if I'd like the burgundy interior in mine, but it's really grown on me (aside from needing new seat covers.) Mine also has the turbo-tail - i wonder if they were more common on Carrera Cabriolets?

Best of luck with it!

GK

[frannyB]

That was our third choice on the plate, but close enough! The plate is actually a Highway Patrol plate, but the center emblem is gone because of the lettering. Funny about the education tag line. I think it helps to have the sticker on the driver's window as well. That got us out of a ticket in the Mini a little while back. I figured the plate couldn't hurt.

f

[frannyB]

Maybe... Someone went to some trouble to put on the (wrong) tail. I need to pull it and clean and reinstall it. You can still see the outline of the original "Carrera" script location through the top of the tail.

I think Cabs look great with a tail. Coupes do as well, but I think their lines are so classic they don't need it. I do see many more cabs with them than without.

f