Sorting barn find twins and "kids, this is what happens when u mess with dope"

vintagecarlover · 10-30-2014, 07:16 AM

Back in the 90's my beer route salesman turned me onto a 911 lead that recently ended in the purchase of a pr of 74 911's. We call em the twins. One car is now a running car that a buddy has and its history was interesting. Purchased new in Alabama in 74 the car was confiscated by an Alabama sheriff's dept for 26.4 grams of heroin in 75 and then sold to previous owner at drug auction who drove it on and off for the next 40 yrs, mostly off. Car now shows irratic oil pressure and crazy guages issues. Gen light, green oil light n and brake light all are on. Oil pressure seems a lil low but no engine noise or excessive smoke. No rust except batt box (not bad) and surface rust on peeling non sunroof roof. Pans are perfect original and straight. Trans shifts great although clutch engages way late. Those are all easy fixes. Heres the dilemma, my friend cant decide which way to go with the car. First 911 but has a nice 968 so not new to porsche.
Help Dean decide.
With a lil over 9k in the car he ultimately wants a driver so should he sell the car now and buy a 3.0 or 3.2 car?
Source a strong engine and shelve the 2.7?
Sell 2.7 to fund newer engine?
heres a cpl pics. Interior and car is 100percent stock with working radio and dealer Installed a/c. Original color was minerva blue with respray early on. No sunroof and manual window s brakes and trim. Also should car go back to original color. I think dean wants to drive it so a teardown for highdollar repaint now is out. What do u think about low cost respray now? Share ur Thoughts including low oil and guage issues. Thx

Keep or sell?

Matt Monson · 10-30-2014, 07:55 AM

I would keep it. Value wise Midyears are just coming into their own. By no means sell the numbers matching engine. '74 IMO is the best Midyear, with no smog junk.

If it were me I would sell the twin to try to cover the cost of a 3.0 conversion and shelve the 2.7 to rebuild later.
Any records at all? If that 2.7 is original it will need a lot of machine shop work. It can be turned into a great engine but you gotta spend the money to get it there.

Paint? Meh. That can always be done later.

Tell us more about the twin.

OsoMoore · OsoMoore's Garage

Quote:

... he ultimately wants a driver...

Unless he wants a project car too, I'd suggest selling this to someone who will do a good restoration. As noted, mid years aren't that exciting, but are increasing in price. I'd buy a sorted SC with the funds, and get straight to the driving.

Targalid · 10-30-2014, 08:37 AM

For now, buff the paint with polishing compound and wax it. Does wonders for old paint. Then drive it while you fix the little stuff. Big decisions can be made later.

Tilikum Turbo · Tilikum Turbo's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by OsoMoore

Unless he wants a project car too, I'd suggest selling this to someone who will do a good restoration. As noted, mid years aren't that exciting, but are increasing in price. I'd buy a sorted SC with the funds, and get straight to the driving.

I believe this is a good suggestion. Deep pockets and lots of time are involved here, and your best ROI may be simply to cash out and let someone else have the joy(or headache) of a proper restoration.

vintagecarlover · 10-30-2014, 10:16 AM

The cars were split. Dean took the nicer car. The twin has locked up engine and very rough body, interior, busted windshield and passenger glass and fully exposed to the weather for yrs with little yo no glass protection. I kept that one. All pans are gone. Its very rough semi complete though. If he needs parts he gets em free but car is mine. Ill post pics of it too soon.