Free Targa project jitters

[82SC]

man...I have been getting the jitters about this ground up restoration...

it is at the paint shop awaiting signal orange...which I am getting nervous about too...silver keeps coming back as a more universally pleasing option...

but then the money too...I'm a student on a budget, but landing a really sweet TA gig give me a nice wad of disposable income.

I just got back from karting at Willow Springs, and I ralized I could have a really sweet karting set up and really be competative with the targa money too...trying to do both is difficult.

I don't want to join the minions of projects that die before even getting off the ground or even dying in the middle of a project...

I am sure this is a universal occurance with resto projects...it really sucks!

and that DAMN SILVER ORANGE battle is killing me too!!!

ackk I hate cold feet...maybe some of your opinions will help...

[ccandgc]

I would think the orange would be more unique. there are silver cars all over the place. On the other hand, silver is classic and timeless.

Good luck!
ChadC
71 911S Targa

[McDaniel]

Just finishing a ground up restore and mods on a '74 Targa.
Went with red...I know it's all over, but dammit I like it!
Did a restore on a '73 coupe and went silver with it, it looked
great! Hell, which ever way you go, you will have a TARGA!!

[Cornpanzer]

Look at it this way, whatever color you paint it will be desirabe. I really dont think Silver really ads that much $$$$ value to the car, it just may attract more potential buyers if you decide to sell. It also sounds to me that you are trying to hard to finish this car quickly. Slow down, take your time. Search for the good deals and opportunities and meanwhile enjoy your other hobbys too. Dont let this car become a monkey on your back. The car is money in the bank for you that is going up in value.

[island911]

orange is like a boat. .. it's really cool if someone ELSE owns it.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by island911
orange is like a boat. .. it's really cool if someone ELSE owns it.

Funny - thats how I feel about children...

[KevinP73]

Being the owner of the shop that was up to now providing free indoor storage of your project, I find little sympathy
for your dilemma. According to our last conversation your inability to come into the shop and get this project
started was your busy school schedule and not your inability to commit to the project or your more important carting
activities. It’s not my policy to provide free indoor storage for any vehicle while the owner decides if or when he
wants to begin work on their “Free Targa Project”. Being a small specialty service I have to be very focused on
workload and scheduling. Delays on one project will invariably cause a delay in other current projects. I won’t
sacrifice floorspace to non producing garage queens, and the loss of income waiting for a project owner to commit
is unacceptable.
I am very much aware that the service I provide is for my customers continued participation in his or her chosen
hobby, but be aware that as much as it is your hobby it is my BUSINESS !

[michaelw]

In my opinion, I think most colors look great. But, when I was looking for my first 911 I wanted only a silver or black car and they were almost impossible to find. I think on the selling end, a car in good condition in silver or black will make the car slightly easier to sell. On the other hand, you could'nt turn around without hitting plenty of excellent guards red examples.

Michael
87 Targa

[KevinP73]

IMHO if you any resrevations at all concerning this project I’d suggest you turn it over to someone who has the
time, desire and resources to complete it. Your a young man with admirable goals and should concentrate on your education while
enjoying your carting to it’s fullest. All to soon your youth will be just a distant blip on the radar of life, you will
have succeded in your profession, your wife will have left you for some Jamaican pool boy, your kids will be in
college only calling when they need more money, and you will have all too much time (and hopefully a 5 car garage) to restore an even more
abundant supply of 30 year old Porsche’s, yes they will still be around........
nuff said!

[82SC]

hey kev

check your email...thought it would be better discussed offline

and to clarify...I m not pulling out of this project!!! I am just getting cold feet.

I can understand kevin's posts...but jumping into my first DIY ground up resto is pretty daunting...

MJ

[cegerer]

...your wife will have left you for some Jamaican pool boy, ...

Man, I hate when that happens .... -- Curt

[island911]

Originally posted by KevinP73
........
nuff said!

Hell no, enough has not been said! That was an excellent post (as was your earlier).
"discussed offline " . . ..82, Kevin here is doing you favor of sound advice after the favor of storage. . .. don't go trying to work him.

[nostatic]

well, when I was a student (undergrad or grad), I couldn't afford much of anything. I did however have good musical equipment. I guess it depends on your priorities. There is always something to spend your money and time on...but only you can figure out how to triage the list. I'd say you've got to look at why you want to do the targa. Strikes me that restoration projects are best for people with lot of time and expertise, or lots of money. And all three is preferable. I would love to find an old long nose and restore it, but right now I am 0-for-3 according to the above criteria. Keeping the SC going is in the budget...paying someone else to restore an old one isn't. And as for time, with what little free time I've got I'd rather play with my son and gig/record my music than work on a car.

But YMMV...and only you can decide what you want to do.

But if you keep it paint it orange.

[Chuck Moreland]

Honestly, some good advice above.

I think you're finding out there is no free Porsche. A project like this takes cubic dollars and considerable time. I'm sure that is why the PO gave it away.

You may not be in the best phase in your life to make that level of commitment. Personally, I wouldn't have tackled a project like this while going to shool. You have more important ways to spend your resources (time and money) now.

You've got an SC. It's a nice car, enjoy it. Take on a project like this when you are ready. Just MHO.

[82SC]

island911: no one is trying to work no one, so please don't jump to conclusions.

and this is all sound advice and I appreciate everyone's input.

Kevin has been very patient and helpful thus far and I look forward to continue the project with him...

We had an appt to meet early next week and get this going, sign some papers and dish out some cash...

I guess it is like a wedding, and gettin close to the date is giving me the jitters. I have budgetted both my time and garage space and I have the means to get a very nice project started, and I am well aware of the length of time it will take...

I guess it is jut that I am committing to alot and my mind starting thinking of all of possibilities...I think many of these projects are not rational decisions...theya re passionate ones because we are passionate about the cars...I've had alot of time to rethink my jitters, and I have calmed my nerves some what...and I still plan to go on with the project...

although I have had a barrage of emails from people who would love to take over for me...make me an offer and can't refuse...if not signal orange here we come...

thanks to all

[Jack Olsen]

Signal orange is great.

[Jay Auskin]

82SC--just put a stake in the ground and get it sprayed. I understand jitters, but it's not like you're trying to decide if you want to paint your newly acquired Countach purple or lime green. Both colors are cool, and regardless of which way you were leaning; a fully restored 911 will also be cool.

Being a student--pick your battles, meaning don't try to do everything. I'm not a full time student, but I am a full time worker, who's going for his masters degree in the evening. I recently bought a non-running '72 911 in July, and it has sat in my condo's parking garage since then, awaiting to go to my father-in-law's garage to get worked on. Sure I've waxed the paint 7 times and stared into the engine compartment about 50 times thinking about my "gameplan" to get it going, but I won't have the time until late spring again. Plus, I wasn't going to have it sitting in my father-in-law's garage for 6 months taking up space, feeling like I should do whatever it takes to get it finished and out of there.

So take your time...and do it RIGHT. That's a very nice starting point you have there. You don't want to cut corners. And if you don't have the time, or commitment...just pass it along. There's nothing wrong with that either.

[makaio]

I saw a signal orange pre-74 targa today. It looked awesome! I thought of your car MJ, as it was zipping by.

I say paint it orange and don't look back.