To Restore, or Not to Restore, That is the Question... 1972 911T

[rdwinelover]

I own the following 1972 911T and am trying to decide if I should restore it or if I should sell it. I am not into it cheap but also not insanely expensive.. The pictures in the link below are from the car fully together and descent to it being broken down. It has a very modest amount of rust that would need to be dealt with and needs paint but overall, it is a VERY strong car. The documentation including the original window sticker, all the owners information, picture listings it in local classified newspapers from the late 70's when it was re-sold and then another listing with yet another picture of it when it was resold again. It has had 4 owners and has just 53k miles, documented. Interior is in great shape. I don't doubt that every receipt even given is here. Bottom line, the history is incredible and the car is 100% complete, original.

So what would you do and how much do you think it would take to get it healthy again?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ceh6vzkqr20nsyh/AACpDCigoKvaSstmxcA6P3uya?dl=0

[ParkerFE]

How much do you want for it?

[rdwinelover]

So help me god, this isn't a pitch to sell the car with my hand resting on the bible. I have more than enough $ and don't need to sell her. What I really need is advice. If the advice is that it will cost $xx,xxx to get it perfect and I add to it my cost, it's not worth my having someone restore it. I have never restored a car and some quotes from guys like Freddy at $50k make me think twice.

[Matt Monson]

Two questions I would pose are:
1. Checkbook restoration or do you have some DIY skills to build sweet equity on the car?
2. Restored to what standard? Do you want a factory new concours competition car? Or do you desire a nice reliable rust free driver quality car?

The answers to those questions will influence the final cost number by 5 figures.

[Trackrash]

Is that the original paint? If so, I would just do what repairs it needs and keep as much of the original stuff, cleaned up of course, as possible .

Original motor? Any major repairs? Are you planning on keeping the car for ever? Or as an investment?

If you hadn't already taken the car apart, I would have said do the mechanical repairs and don't touch anything else.

If you are planning a complete concourse quality resto and a top shop is going to do the work you can plan on paying six figures.

You could make it a nice driver, if you do everyting your self, for a lot less.

Do you have a list of everything that you think needs to be done?

I am guessing that since you took the car apart, you now realize the challenge of a restoration.

[RSTarga]

I don't understand why that car was completely dismantled for restoration. It did not look that bad. Take care of the rust areas, leave the rest alone, it has nice patina. What shape is the engine in?
It looks as if the front pan is ok, you need doors, and new rockers as I can see. Thats about 5k, an outside paint job, that can go anywhere from 8-15k. Why was all the wiring removed? The trunk area looks like it just needed a cleanup. Complete interior can be done for under 8k if you do some of the work yourself.
Its hard to tell how far the car has been torn down, but I don't think you'll hit 50k unless the engine has to be overhauled.

[rdwinelover]

Good and fair questions...

Yes, it's original paint on the car. Yes, it's the original motor and no major repairs. All matching everything. I don't know if I would keep or sell the car once done. It would really depend on how she drives once done. In a perfect world I would have it restored to driver quality, drive it for a few years and then sell it and break even or make a few bucks.

I don't have the skills to do any of the work myself. I am a humble winemaker and don't know how to turn a wrench.

I didn't dismantle the car. The last owner did who owned it for 20 years. He was going to restore it himself and once broken down, had a change in his life to not make it possible to do the work. I don't know why the wiring was removed. I can inquire.

Does anyone suggest where the work can get done to take it back in the simple sense without getting racked over the coals.

The car is in Florida and I need to make a decision to transport it to the Bay area or somewhere else in the country or else sell it. A final question is: if sold, what is a fair price?

This all helps my decision so thank you

[RSTarga]

The more I look at that car, the less I understand as to why it would be dismantled. It needs a rear seat pan, shelf and new rockers.
Clean it up and put it back together.

[Matt Monson]

Someone like the 901 Shop or KMW could put this car back together for you prior to shipping it out of Florida.

[Trackrash]

Are you a PCA member? Show up at one of their events and ask around.

Of course Pelicanites may have some good suggestions.

[rdwinelover]

Yes, I am a PCA member. That is a good thought. I have never been to an event.

Thanks Matt for the suggestion. I know labor would be WAY cheaper in other parts of the US than here in the Bay area. For that matter, I could have the car trucked anywhere between FL and CA to get the work done.

I too wish it wasn't completely broken down.

[Matt Monson]

Btw, I agree with those saying not to over restore it. More than anything it needs to be put back together with some issues addressed along the way.

[rdwinelover]

Thank you all. I am into the car for $32,000 so it's not a bad number (at least I think).

[Reiver]

Very nice 911...I agree with the consensus of repair the rust areas and retain as much of the original patina as possible as it is so nice.
Get it up to snuff mechanically and enjoy it.
You will def. get anything you put into it out of it when you decide to sell.
Originality.

[RichardNew]

The term restoration has lost all meaning.

A real restoration will put you so far upside down it's silly.

You can fix it up and get it running as one option. The hard part will be figuring out where to stop the work.

A non-running car is always hard to sell.

I would just get it running and take the money. This is at best a #3 car and the prices are dropping on this grade of car. Get the money and run.

Richard Newton

[Jdub]

You will regret selling this car for the rest of your life. When I got married, it was with four motorcycles and a '69 MGB as my Daily - my wife knew full well what she was getting into. Pressure to sell a "non-family" type vehicle (not saying, but...) is tough to argue against knowing kids, etc. may be on the way. Again, not saying in this case, but you will regret selling this unless you find something equally as unique to treasure.

Best of luck and I must agree keep this a a rolling restoration, fixing things as they come up and using it regularly to ensure it is in top condition.

[Matt Monson]

This is at best a #3 car and the prices are dropping on this grade of car. Get the money and run.

Richard Newton

That's a laugh. There's not a single air cooled car that is doing anything but going up.

[RSTarga]

I'd suggest sending the car to either Ed Mayo at Mayo Performance in Fort Worth, or Jones Autowerkes in San Antonio. Both have been around for decades and have a lot of experience on the older cars and won't go crazy on doing unnecessary work. Labor rates are more reasonable than California or Florida.
At 32K you have a way to go before you are upside down.

[tobluforu]

Fix it, but don't fully restore it. Ca shops I would think are more expensive than Fl, but that is a guess. Since its in pieces in FL, fix rust, put it back in running condition, ship to ca and enjoy. 10 years from now when that car is worth a ridiculous amount you will look back and and be happy.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by rdwinelover

I have never restored a car and some quotes from guys like Freddy at $50k make me think twice.

If Freddy can put that back on the road for $50k, I'd say you would be fine down the road.

JR