I need some guidance

[Sooner or later]

I bought a 1978 SC Targa at an estate sale. I know, estate sale.

It has been sitting, garaged/covered, for at least 10 years. 52,000 miles. Body and interior are nearly flawless. Guards red/cork. Targa top looks a year old. It has original tool kit and manuals. A packet with a plastic glove to keep your hands clean. The owners said it had multiple broken head studs but no other "known" problems.

It came with one set of polished fuchs 16 x 7/8 and the original set of anodized 16 x 6/7. Both look new.


I told the seller that it would cost a small fortune to get it road worthy and offered 8 grand. They accepted.

So I am the new daddy of a possible cash sink hole.

Do I part it out to get my 8k back or bring my little darling back to life?

If I attempt to resuscitate the beauty how much am I looking at? 25/30 grand?

Thanks for and advice, good or bad.

[SiberianDVM]

Do not even consider parting out an intact car.

Find a reputable Porsche shop near you, and get a Post Purchase Inspection. Go from there.

[lsf911]

I definitely wouldn't part it out. Are you handy? Do you plan on doing the repairs yourself?

At 52,000 miles I would think just replacing the head studs and some of the injection system/gas tank would be necessary. Do the work yourself and you could probably have it running for less than 10K.

Congrats on your purchase. Sounds like you got a great deal.

[OffCamber00]

Wow nice score! That is a great price for a car in that condition. If the car is as nice as you describe, you shouldn't part it, even if it is a targa Its worth saving in that condition.

The good news is that you are here. You have found the best place on the planet to learn about as well as how to fix your new car.

What it will take to get it running will depend on many factors including your ability and confidence at DIY. Even if you are only slightly mechanically inclined, $25k is a large budget that should enable you to do everything you need and a lot more.

Good luck and welcome.

[Lyle O]

8-12K for an engine rebuild to address the broken studs, and re-furb the heads, etc., not counting upgrades. Sounds like that's it (unless, what about electrical? Fuel system?). You are still way ahead, though. Value should easily be upper 20's or more...my $.02 (not my money).

[BlueWing]

What a deal. You'll never go wrong at that price. Engine drop and a top end I'll say as an unqualified price maybe 5k. Clean fuel related equipment and normal service parts you'll have a half price car.

Of course the body and interior need to be factored in but partially galvanized body should need very little attention.

Oh 7/8 wheels alone can get a 1/4 of your money back and help finance the top end.

Great deal and you found a great place for advice.

Terry

[gazzerr]

You can barely get a pile of rust for 15K on an SC now. What a deal.

[TibetanT]

Seems odd to me that you have not posted your location OR any pictures of the car.

First, "Welcome to Porsche Ownership!"
Second, as most have said prior to my post, you have come to the right place for ??

I am really an optimist and not a pessimist, but how would you know it is going "to cost a fortune to get it road worthy?" Seems to me this kind of question is a fishing expedition AND maybe you already know the value of this car.

However, with that said, the 1978 911SC comes with the Big Port heads, so getting the heads done at a good Porsche shop is your number 1 priority. Does the car drive well? Have you driven the car or started up the engine? Do you know where to look for the Engine type number within the engine compartment to ensure you really have a 78 3.0L engine in there?

I hope you do. But, to be honest I am a little concerned that the car sat for ten (10) years and will need a lot of maintenance to get her is good/safe running shape. Are there any records of maintenance done in years past? This would be a very good place to start to learn about the car. Also, purchase Wayne's two (2) books since the books will explain in detail what may or may not need to be done to your car.
Something that did catch my eye with this post is 1) how quickly the seller said "Yes" to the offer and 2) that there are many broken head studs on such a low mileage 911SC.

While the head studs are an issue on these 911SC cars, my particular 911SC has not needed any head studs to be replaced yet with 250K miles. (I do take good care of my 911SC with regular oil changes and NEVER ever tracked, so that may have something to do with it.)

Anyway, like I have said I am an optimist so Welcome and Good Luck with your Porsche. IMHO…keep the car in original condition and fix what needs fixing to keep it that way. Yes, a complete Engine rebuild will cost you anywhere from $7,500 (DIY) to $20,000-$25,000 (Porsche shop with excellent representation). Also, depends on the condition of the 915 transmission too. Hopefully, the car runs and drives well, but don't drive it until you know for sure the engine and transmission are okay.

Good luck with your "new" 1978 911SC Targa!

[Sooner or later]

A few bad pics. Bad light, bad camera. AC and smog are gone. Heater blower gone.

SW Oklahoma

[Sooner or later]

SW Oklahoma.

The AC and smog are gone. Heater blower gone.

[Sooner or later]

Bad light and bad camera

[TibetanT]

If you need any parts for the A/C system, smog stuff (air pump etc.) or the engine, let me know since I do have some things for that MY Porsche.

I am in Washington State, so it would be a bit of a drive for me to come help you.

[Sooner or later]

Waiting on approval to get a few bad pics posted.

Just doing some research it seems that all the suspension rubber will need replaced. Calipers and master cyl could also be toast.

And then the fuel system. If CIS needs serious work I would consider a set of PMO carbs. And SSI. And while we are in there...

It does have the pop off valve and updated chain tensioner. And a boatload of records. They drove it about 3k a year. Changed the oil in the spring and then in the fall when they stored it.

I have done lots of work on my old Mutangs (65 K code fastback being one) but at 62 I'll let others do the work.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by TibetanT

If you need any parts for the A/C system, smog stuff (air pump etc.) or the engine, let me know since I do have some things for that MY Porsche.

I am in Washington State, so it would be a bit of a drive for me to come help you.

I won't put it back in. I would put this baby on a diet.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by TibetanT

Seems odd to me that you have not posted your location OR any pictures of the car.

First, "Welcome to Porsche Ownership!"
Second, as most have said prior to my post, you have come to the right place for ??

I am really an optimist and not a pessimist, but how would you know it is going "to cost a fortune to get it road worthy?" Seems to me this kind of question is a fishing expedition AND maybe you already know the value of this car.

However, with that said, the 1978 911SC comes with the Big Port heads, so getting the heads done at a good Porsche shop is your number 1 priority. Does the car drive well? Have you driven the car or started up the engine? Do you know where to look for the Engine type number within the engine compartment to ensure you really have a 78 3.0L engine in there?

I hope you do. But, to be honest I am a little concerned that the car sat for ten (10) years and will need a lot of maintenance to get her is good/safe running shape. Are there any records of maintenance done in years past? This would be a very good place to start to learn about the car. Also, purchase Wayne's two (2) books since the books will explain in detail what may or may not need to be done to your car.
Something that did catch my eye with this post is 1) how quickly the seller said "Yes" to the offer and 2) that there are many broken head studs on such a low mileage 911SC.

While the head studs are an issue on these 911SC cars, my particular 911SC has not needed any head studs to be replaced yet with 250K miles. (I do take good care of my 911SC with regular oil changes and NEVER ever tracked, so that may have something to do with it.)

Anyway, like I have said I am an optimist so Welcome and Good Luck with your Porsche. IMHO…keep the car in original condition and fix what needs fixing to keep it that way. Yes, a complete Engine rebuild will cost you anywhere from $7,500 (DIY) to $20,000-$25,000 (Porsche shop with excellent representation). Also, depends on the condition of the 915 transmission too. Hopefully, the car runs and drives well, but don't drive it until you know for sure the engine and transmission are okay.

Good luck with your "new" 1978 911SC Targa!

I didn't try to fire it. I knew it was worth 8k in parts even with a toasted drivetrain.

All the numbers are correct. I have everything but a window sticker.

I was looking for antique furniture and asked what was under the car cover. Spur of the moment purchase.

[Sooner or later]

Only place close to me seems to be Dumars in OKC. If I go through with the repair I would talk to them first. They seem to get good reviews.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Sooner or later

If I attempt to resuscitate the beauty how much am I looking at? 25/30k

It should take a lot less than that to get it to a driving condition. 5k to 15k should do it depending on how much u do yourself.

Congrats.

[sugarwood]

It would be financially imprudent to part out a low miles survivor.
A mint original '78 Targa with 58k miles is a $35k to $40k car.
Get a loan and get the car roadworthy.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

It would be financially imprudent to part out a low miles survivor.
A mint original '78 Targa with 58k miles is a $35k to $40k car.
Get a loan and get the car roadworthy.

I don't need a loan. It is damn solid appearance wise. No type of rust anywhere. Hell, it doesn't have a door ding. I think it has a 930 steering wheel.

If it is worth 35 I wouldn't feel bad about dropping 30 into it to get it closer to what I might want.

Thanks for all the replies.

[sugarwood]

It's doubtful you'll need to drop $30k to get it running.
Let us know the quote and update this thread if you do down the repair journey!