Is it fatal? How much rust is too much to kill my car?

[Danny1966]

I'm too poor to spend much beyond parts and what limited skill I have as I learn to weld. My 66 912 has rotted everything and the doors are hard to close so it's sagging....where are the major points needing repaired to strengthen its soul and make it sound again?
All help is appreciated.

[lrodri64]

Low low budget repair.
I'm sure you can do.
Regards.

[bkreigsr]

Something that far gone is not going to be road worthy by Band-Aid fixes at critical junctures.
You are looking at a complete chassis restoration - otherwise you're chasing your tail as you weld sound panels to unsound surroundings.
Bill K

[lrodri64]

Not band aid by any means.
Lot of work with used and new parts.

[petrolblue83911]

I think he's referring to the OP

[J0hnny]

One way to answer POs question is

If the estimated repair costs exceed what you can get for the car one repaired, it is arguably too far gone.

Especially when you consider the value of the parts the car may still have.

[RichardNew]

How much money do you have?

And, does it really matter if you blow most of it on a rusted out 912?

Anything can be fixed.

Richard Newton
My 26 Year 911 Project

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by Danny1966

I'm too poor to spend much beyond parts and what limited skill I have as I learn to weld. My 66 912 has rotted everything and the doors are hard to close so it's sagging....where are the major points needing repaired to strengthen its soul and make it sound again?
All help is appreciated.

Do a search here. There are dozens of rust repair threads.

Keep in mind that the rust you can see is only the tip of the iceberg.

[82 SC]

It will be all right, just drive it and fix as you go

[davetaylor]

Maybe you can find someone with an engineless midyear 911 with a lot less rust and you could trade. Of course, the engine is the most expensive single part, so you might not be further down the road after all.

[davetaylor]

Originally Posted by 82 SC

It will be all right, just drive it and fix as you go

Haha, patina! That's a barn door so it's probably still worth more than a 5-year-old Civic

[82 SC]

Originally Posted by davetaylor

Haha, patina! That's a barn door so it's probably still worth more than a 5-year-old Civic

Yes I do believe that barn door bus is worth near $20k know! LOL! a 356 in same condition would be near $40k!

[MBAtarga]

Assuming you can afford/perform the rust repair- do you have enough money to complete the work on the car - parts and/or labor?

[florio]

I'm on a full-on restoration of a well-rusted car, and can vouch that with sufficient dedication, you can learn to weld and actually make the rotisserie for not very much using a few square tubings. The real expenditures turn out to be buying the pieces you are missing. Here's a good summary of expenditures that someone pointed out to me when I started out. Now, I can point it out to someone else!
(It's from Darryl's garage, my place for comfort and inspiration)
DarrylD's Porsche 912 Restoration Project Accounting

Good luck, and show us some pics!

Dario

[faverymi]

Is it this one?

[Puma]

Anything can be fixed. On a long enough timeline it will be a financially sound move. In the short run it won't be worth it. If you plan to keep the car, buy a mig welder and get to it.

[sugarwood]

Danny,
How long have you owned this 912?
It sounds like you just bought it.

[Fixer]

Originally Posted by Danny1966

I'm too poor to spend much beyond parts and what limited skill I have as I learn to weld. My 66 912 has rotted everything and the doors are hard to close so it's sagging....where are the major points needing repaired to strengthen its soul and make it sound again?
All help is appreciated.

Can I see pictures?