Repainting SC Targa

[petron5000]

I have a 1981 SC Targa, Rosewood Metallic with Chocolate Brown Interior with the targa bar painted and matching wheels. Here's a picture:


It's time for a repaint of the front and I've decided to do the whole thing, seals and all.

It didn't occur to me until this morning that I could repaint it a different color for the same amount of money.

So...I've always wanted a Minerva or Arrow Blue or Tangerine Orange Porsche.

I don't care that much about resale value, since the car has 177k miles and I drive it all the time. Plus I can always paint it back

So...should I do it and go for the repaint? For cars that are drivers, do people care much about original color so long as the repaint is high quality?

Does anyone have any photos of Tangerine Orange with the Chocolate Interior?

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

My thought is that if you're not going to be reselling it, paint it whatever color you like best. Of course purists are going to be purists and leave everything as is - from the picture, your car's paint seems to be in great condition. Personally I would respray only the needed parts and try to leave it as original as possible, but that's just me - are you going to be doing this yourself? If so, let us know and we'll send you the necessary guide.


-Dmitry

[BK911]

I've never seen tangerine with a black roll bar.

[Ayles]

If you are doing it for yourself then who cares. Do what you want. However, I think you should go with a stripped targa bar. Thats always the best in my opinion. It's so good they did for the new ones!

[petron5000]

Stripped meaning chrome?

[Jack Stands]

With the expense of renewing the seals and the difficulty of removing the rear window, I'd consider just painting the front where it needs it and continue to drive it. I imagine a proper repaint with a color change could easily run north of $10,000 for parts and labor, and you still end up with an older Targa. My '84 Targa with well over 100,000 miles could certainly use a repaint, but looks good from ten feet away and I don't have to worry about driving it.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by petron5000

Stripped meaning chrome?

Its stainless and very easy to get the early factory look. Which is brushed and not shiny

.

[GothingNC]

Have you thought about getting it wrapped?

[petron5000]

I haven't.

[Bill Douglas]

I saw a SC Targa once that was painted, as best described, aqua. Sort of a turquoise aqua color. Absolutely gorgeous.

My SC was that color and I hated it so I painted it silver. 20 years later I'm still happy with my color choice.

[petron5000]

Well put...What I really do want is a Minerva or Arrow Blue Targa. Cheaper to repaint mine than to find a new one in the shape that mine is in.

Now I've got to figure out if the interior (dark brown) looks OK with the minerva or arrow exterior if I go that way. The brown wheels sure won't.

[Bill Douglas]

That was how I felt. Better the devil I know. Mine was brown and brown too - great in the 70's... It's interesting how, umm OK, brown is with blues. Sure black or grey interiour would be easy. Another idea is to refinish the dash board top, and the bit around the top of the interiour door panels, in black if it didn't look right.

[bugstrider]

Our 78 SC a Targa was originally that color, except our targa bar and wheels are flat black. Second owner paints it 86 Platinum(gold according to anyone else's opinion) when he tarted it up to look like a turbo Carrera when he couldn't afford one. The wife and I wished it was the original metallic brown/brown combo.

Then again, we can't wait to get the pair of 68 912's back into their original street clothes of sand beige and Irish green either.

What can I say, we're dorks...... At least I am, the wife just smiles and nods her head yes. We each know what battles we have the best chances of winning.

[bhmkv]

I really like the current color. Just my opinion. Just remember you can do a full respray of the exterior with the same color and stay out of the jambs, trunk, frunk. That's if they are in decent shape already. Once you do a color change you have to go into everything. You will lose all the factory decals likely. Some people tape around them, but it makes proper prep hard. With that said if you don't love the color and plan to keep it.... Make it then way you want it. I enjoy the "patina" on my car. Once a car is perfect it becomes harder to use often in my opinion. I drive mine to the gym, store, and out where ever. My father is a restore everything person. He never wants to park his cars anywhere. A ding or a chip is the end of the world. A full glass out will likely be around 10k. Be ready to poss find some rust. Let us know what you decide! Either way I'm sure it will be awesome!

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

Have you thought about getting it wrapped?

Really not a bad idea! +1 for this - if you don't like it, no harm no foul. Have a great Thanksgiving!


-Dmitry

[petron5000]

The jambs look terrible. Chipping and overspray from a prior repaint.

This really is a tough decision

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by Ayles

Its stainless and very easy to get the early factory look. Which is brushed and not shiny.

These popped up today show what the bar looks like naturally.

Stainless Steel Targa bars FS

[GaryR]

I say wrap it in any color you like, once you paint it your done.. you can't just keep laying paint over paint. I can't believe someone will do the jambs and all the inside of the doors/trunk/etc. for the same cost as an oem color respray?

[targa80]

You are fortunate that you own a car that is unique. I rarely see a mocha brown early 80's SC Targa on the road except when I'm driving my 80SC. I went through an off chassis restoration myself and I toyed with going custom on a fantasy paint color from my younger days. But, I could not do it I am not a total purist but the mocha brown is different. In the end I went original color with a two stage ppg paint. I am glad I did. Best of luck in what ever you decide to do.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by targa80

You are fortunate that you own a car that is unique. I rarely see a mocha brown early 80's SC Targa on the road except when I'm driving my 80SC. I went through an off chassis restoration myself and I toyed with going custom on a fantasy paint color from my younger days. But, I could not do it I am not a total purist but the mocha brown is different. In the end I went original color with a two stage ppg paint. I am glad I did. Best of luck in what ever you decide to do.

Exactly why we are in the camp of "original color" for our vote. It's such a rare color it seems. Bottom line, it's your car, your money, your choice. Do what makes you happy. Life can be too bloody short and has a way of busting your balls when you least expect it, so enjoy while you can.

Just sayin,

Cheers