Where do you draw the line-Restore or not to restore
 

Where is the line. When do just rip the whole thing apart and start putting together piece by piece or do just do a little at a time. Do I take the car off the road for 2-3 years and do a ground up restore or just bring it down to the major parts (keeping electrics,Doors,dash intact)and work from there. When did guys like GeorgeK which from previous pics(76 carrera) looks like he had a good car to begin decide to strip it down to nothing. input please.

Drunken stupor after watching Speedvision...

-Wayne

Well, if you've ever tried pulling one apart, it goes into lots of bits really easily. Then you wonder if you'll ever put it back together (see signature).

I can't single out one reason only why I restored mine. I think the main cause is my aversion to rust, and there was some showing at the bottom of the door slam panels, and at the front bumper mounting rails.
I was lucky enough to have another car for everyday use, and access to a local at a friendly body shop (who did not let me out on a limb even when it got difficult).
Good Pointers (I think):
-Know exactly what you want to do; factory, R gruppe, full racing, lwt parts, BEFORE you start
-Make a budget, then multiply by 3 or 4, you'll thank me later.
-Only do that to a car you'll never sell, or to a car on which you're sure to make money (good luck on that one....)
-Make a timetable, then multiply it by 3...

All this being said, it IS huge fun if you are mechanically inclined.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/'76-4s.jpg
GeorgeK

Oops, Pic.
GeorgeK

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/764s.jpg

GoergeK you can never put too many pics of that car. my car is a 1978 911sc and no rust so maybe a total resto would not be needed. How do you go about the wiring, do you buy the harness all in one or it must be custom done. georgek keep on showing those pics, you should have a have a website showing the stages. I think I am going to go down to the bare minimal. keeping the dash,front heat controls and electrics. Thanks for advice

pwm,
I think it all depends on what you ultimately want out of the car. If you want a show car, then a full tear down and rebuild(very costly) is due. If your car is drivable now, then maybe a driving restoration is the way to go. Many people take this approach and restore their cars system by systen - brakes, electrical, induction, etc.

You should first decide a direction for the car that is important to you and fits your wants/needs. (of course a copy of GeorgeK's car would be damn sweet too)

Best,
Mark

PMW:

I also own a '78SC and I don't think our cars are far enough along to hope to see any $$ back on what it would cost to restore. However, if that is not your concern then you must have settled on the SC as the car for your future Pcar needs. Certainly we all only have enough years in each of us to restore maybe three to four Pcars over our lifetimes. So maybe you should focus on the Pcar of your dreams (a longhood?) and put your energy into that?

Obviously that is my opinion and shows the direction I will eventually go. My '78 is a daily driver and needs some dent work and whatnot, but will have to wait until I find the pickup of my dreams so I can rack up the Pcar and get at the fixing.

John

well, i decided to tear into my 914 after i had several problems cascade, rust was another major factor, after working days trying to balance carbs on a worn engine with no positive results and the ultimate, my front left tire decided to depart the vehicle(my fault) damage was minimal, i said screw it, it's time to restore

GeorgeK said it very well; have a goal! I drove my car for about 18 months before I knew exacly where I wanted it to go, in my case it will be an Rgruppe style car. Still very stock looking but hot rodding it along the way. I have to keep it in perspective that I won't be selling this car anytime soon, if ever, which helps justify the money being poured into it. I'll probably never get the money back from a sale of the car but I will enjoy every bit of creating the car exactly the way I want it.

As for timing, I don't think I could stand to be without the car for a long period of time so I judged what the car needed most (body, interior, suspension or drivetrain) and tackled that first. Once I got it into good running condition I started buying parts, preparing for the rust repair and new paint. Now that is finished and once (IF!!) I ever get over that financial devistation;) I'll hit the suspension. The goal being a good looking narrow bodied car with great handling that is still tolerable on the street.

Oh, and George's money statement? Multiply by at least that amount. Not trying to scare you off but the "while I am at it" syndrome is hard to fight!:rolleyes:

Tom

PWM, about the electrics:
I have a block full of notes like "the red cable goes under the thing, behind the bump, then into connector labeled 4 in red"
Write EVERYTHING down, even the seemingly obvious. (can you remember now where is the + coonector on the battery? front or back?, now add 2 years delay and ask the same...).
Then identify what you don't need , and take the relevant cables out, while making notes of where goes what, you never know.
Om my car I took out the radio wiring, electric windows, electric mirrors, thermostatic heating, addtl heater wiring, interior and front compartiment lighting. All is ready to go back if needed, cleaned, labeled and checked.
I won't shy from another pic:D :

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads/230318s.jpg

GeorgeK

Re: Where do you draw the line-Restore or not to restore
 

That's easy. As soon as I have a second Porsche and a 3 car garage. Until then, my projects are limited to basically weekend event.

Another good tip to help with putting things back together is a digital camera. I have used mine for a few areas where I will need to remember which wire goes where, and trim, and bolts and rivets and...


Tom

Hey Tom, The car looks good. Really good. When will it be back on road? And we need details on the mods ....... -- Curt

Thanks Curt, not too many mods yet. I guess I am trying to get it back to match my mindset that it is 1973 , I just bought the car and what can I do to make it faster? I guess the mod goal is an RS in E clothing (as in wolf in sheep's clothing) Looking forward to taking a drive in the car first part of next week, completely reassembled or not!

Tom

PWM,

What is the your goal for this car? Concours winner? reliable everyday driver? part time track car? full out race car?

My car is a '69T (or was, it has morphed substanitially), It was a good weekend car, then I took it the the track... the rest is history.

I have decided tomake it a full out GT-5 race car. every panel has been replaced with carbon or fibreglass (roof included), glass dors etc.

You need to decide on what you want your car to be.

Im in Wantagh, if you ever want to see whats going on with my project let me know.