1986 Carrera

[frankoporsche]

Hello
I own this black 1986 carrera since new and so far the motor and transmission has being rebuilt and front seat redone..get ready for body work..
The car paint is in good shape and no rust or car wreck
question should I keep it stock factory look or back dated or up grade bodies kit?
what mostly 911 owner today would do their 911 for today look?
Thanks
ps no I am not young.. I just wanted to do something to my car..before I get new paint job

[Matt Monson]

These days stock is mostly king for value. But its your car. Everything you are considering us still done to these cars. Make it what you want.

[darrin]

Matt knows of what he speaks -- imo, it all comes down to what deficiencies you see (and want to address) in your car -- I really like the subtle change that running 16x7 (front) and 16x8 (rear) fuchs on my '86 targa and will soon upgrade to porsche-specific h4 headlights (been running h4 drop-in units in my sugar scoops for a decade now) and euro rear bumpererettes. But that's likely as far as I want to go -- already did a top end rebuild and seat recover at 170k miles.

[frankoporsche]

there is one thing I don't like is the big black bumper ...
thank for your imput

[Trackrash]

If it were me, I would replace the bumpers with IROC style FG. Looks great and saves weight. Some will argue they are not worth the risk if you are in a collision however.

[Canada Kev]

The factory bumpers aren't really worth much in a reasonable collision. However, a friend recently ran into the rear of my car when he took his car out of gear to check something and we were parked on a slope (whoops...). He did it from outside the car and couldn't jump in to nail the brakes in time and it rolled into the rear of mine at a speed that would have likely seriously cracked a fibreglass bumper without the pads. Even with my smaller Euro rubber baby buggy bumpers, it only broke the left side license plate light. Less than $20 damage and ten minutes of my time to bolt on the new one.

[Uwon]

Do it!!! And enjoy your new ride.
Backdating the exterior does not necessarily mean molesting the integrity of your car. Keep all the unbolted stuff in the (unlikely) event you want to reverse the process.
Steel long hood and fenders are a must. F/G for the bumpers/lower valances and deck lid/duck, if needed. New or really nice used front light assemblies. Don't cheap out-it will come back and bite you.
One early decision will be how to secure the long hood. Rubber straps or lock mod to utilize the short hood latch.
Figure on $10k for parts plus the cost of a really professional paint job and color sanding.
You will enjoy a brand new P-car.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Johan

[Flojo]

I understand when one sometime gets alittle "tired" of his ride after such a long time, but please recall to yourself: how amazing it is today to be the first owner of a valuable and collectible car?!?!

Don't do it!

Rather get yourself a bucket and restore it with any mods you like. But don't mess up the original one!

[aread]

Originally Posted by Flojo

I understand when one sometime gets alittle "tired" of his ride after such a long time, but please recall to yourself: how amazing it is today to be the first owner of a valuable and collectible car?!?!

Don't do it!

Rather get yourself a bucket and restore it with any mods you like. But don't mess up the original one!

Couldn't agree more. Its certainly your car, and I wouldn't hesitate to make it your own (perhaps in less permanent ways). But you have the unique experience of owing this treasure from its birth, something very few of us could say. I'd be hesitant to alter it.

Best of Luck

[Matt Monson]

An 86 Carrera is a valuable and collectible car? How much you guys give me for mine?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Flojo

I understand when one sometime gets alittle "tired" of his ride after such a long time, but please recall to yourself: how amazing it is today to be the first owner of a valuable and collectible car?!?!

Don't do it!

Rather get yourself a bucket and restore it with any mods you like. But don't mess up the original one!

As another 1986 M/Y original owner, I agree!!!

[GH85Carrera]

It is your car, do with it as you please.

However, making it your personal version of perfect is not likely many other peoples choice. The more you modify, the worse it gets. You will find many horror stories of cars that were butchered by hacks and covered with bondo. The next buyer never knows if your car was modified by a master builder and done right, or hacked up with beer cans and bailing wire and chicken wire.

When I was looking for my car any modifications I saw were a negative.

Like I said, it is your car, do what you want. You can spend thousands on modifications and make it a better car or make it so personalized no one else wants it like that.

Jack Olsen has a modified black car that almost everyone on the board lusts after.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

It is your car, do with it as you please.

However, making it your personal version of perfect is not likely many other peoples choice. The more you modify, the worse it gets. You will find many horror stories of cars that were butchered by hacks and covered with bondo. The next buyer never knows if your car was modified by a master builder and done right, or hacked up with beer cans and bailing wire and chicken wire.

I can't 100% agree with this logic. If I had John Esposito backdate my car it's going to be in my for sale ad just like a TLG or Rothsport built engine gets played up.

And I would hope a thorough ppi would reveal the beer cans and chicken wire. Anyone who hits "buy it now" on Ebay based on a pretty picture gets what they deserve. We get home inspections before we buy a house, why wouldn't we give the same attention to buying a vintage car?

[pegasus9]

Overexposure to even an exceptionally good car can often make it seem mundane: you start to take it for granted and forget how special it is.

[shaunmbenson]

I plus 1 the idea of doing what you want - your car for 31 years and it owes you nothing.

That said, bearing in mind that I think 86 is one of THE BEST years they ever made, I would not futz around much at all. If it were my car I would pull AC and centre console, sort all mechanicals to your taste, which for me is tighter but not crazy suspension with not too low ride height, SW chip and premuffler with plan to 3.4 when rebuild times comes, and maybeeeeee do SCRS glass front bumper (eb motorsports) with RS or RUF rear glass bumper. And I like getting the rear seatbacks out since I get more stuff in the back without - even though the flat shelf also can be a benefit.

I don't like backdating - as beautiful as longhoods are they are not more beautiful than a nice 86 to me - and I do love M491 or ST flares so u could always go that way if u wanna play a bit with 7s and 9s or even 8s and 9s if you flare the front out properly.

Just some thoughts - you can't go wrong - I'm happily jealous for your 'predicament'

[frankoporsche]

I hear what everyone's saying ...
I did also installed a new upgrade SS header and Muffler with Dual exhaust /no catalytic converter
I would to pick up SW chip as well
question should I get the big bore and MAP ?

[Matt Monson]

If I had $10k for engine or paint it would go to engine.

[frankoporsche]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

If I had $10k for engine or paint it would go to engine.

Engine eh!
What done on the motor for 10,000?

[Matt Monson]

If you don't go into the bottom end you can probably do p&c and cams for that. If you can build your own engine you can do it for less.

[A horse with no name]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

As another 1986 M/Y original owner, I agree!!!

Very nice indeed!