May be obtaining a 912 - looking for tips.

944S Boyeee · 12-09-2002, 11:32 AM

Hi all!!

I currently own a 1988 944S and have an opportunity to get a 912.

There is a fella who is currently doing construction on the building I work in (who is also a friend of my folks) who has this 912. He saw my 944 at work a while back and we swapped Porsche stories.

Last Friday he was asking me about websites that I could give him to help him sell his 912. I asked why he was selling and he said that it was taking up room. Turns out he has lots of toys and perhaps this one is his least favorite or something. I also found out he is getting a divorce, so that may have more to do with it than anything.

As I showed him the websites, etc, he said, "I'd sooner just give it away to someone who appreciates Porsches". It was at this point I raised my hand and said, "ME, ME!!". So, hopefully I can get it at a really, really good price or even free.

Here is what I know about the car......
He is the original owner. It was serviced by a Porsche mechanic it's whole life (he said something about balancing the carbs and that only one guy he knew could do it right). It's a 1967 912. It's blue. It runs great (he said he doesn't drive it much anymore though). It needs "new leather behind the seats" - I have no idea what that means. That's about it.

I know how smart the people are on this board concerning the particular model of Porsche they drive. I frequent the 944 board a lot and the fellas over there are amazing. I know the 912 owners here would be the same, so I came a askin' for some tips. When I go see this car, what should I look for to see if it's worth my while to give it a new home/restore it/just plain fix it up better?? If it's going to be free, I shouldn't complain about too much, eh? - but I'm still interested in some tips as to what to look out for.

Below is a pic of what I hope my driveway will look like soon (pardon the fact that the pic contains a 924 instead of an 944 and the 912 is Orange, as opposed to Blue).

944S Boyeee

Big D · 12-09-2002, 08:30 PM

Well Boyee, Let me get this straight. One owner, taken care of, runs great, cheap price or free. That leather problem behind the seats really worries me. I'd pass it on to someone who will appreciate it more. geezzzzz.

Morrie · 12-10-2002, 05:32 AM

Grab it and send it to Texas... We'll find someone out here who'll take in a basket case like that..... heck, send it to me, I'll even pay the shipping!

Morrie

944S Boyeee · 12-10-2002, 06:35 AM

Come on BigD, you make it look like I won't take it if it has bad leather

The reason I'm asking about what to look for is because, other than the fact that he is getting a divorce, I don't really know why he wants to just get rid of this car. I figure it's a "I'd rather give it away than see my wife get the money from it" or something like that. He did say he HAS to get rid of it by the end of the month.

Maybe it's rusted bad? Maybe it has something going wrong with it that will be a big fix? Maybe it's not in that great a shape and it will cost me more in the long run than buying a decent 912? I dunno.....

...but, that is why I'm gonna go take a look-see at it. Was just hoping I could get some tips as to what to look for to determine if it's really in good enough shape or if I'm just taking on someone else's problems.

944S Boyeee

Morrie · 12-10-2002, 07:39 AM

Here's some tips:

Floor pans: Look underneath, tap tap tap. If they're really bad... may need new pans. (50-300 bucks)

Front suspension pan: Look for rust where the front A-arms attach and around the tow hook. (180 - 400 bucks)

Rear tortion bar mounts solid? (big bucks for labor.. 200 parts?)

Does it still have Solex carbs or webers? Solex carbs can be more troublesome.... or possibly just worn out. (25-800 bucks)

Do a compression test. IMHO if you get less than 130-14 per cylinder, a spendy rebuild could be in your near future. (0 - 6000 bucks)

Make sure all glass and plastic lenses are in place.... its really easy to spend money here... (50 to 2000 bucks)

Run it... stop it ... stop it and so on... do the brakes drag or stick? Brake system rebuilds are time consuming. (80-700 bucks)

Fill the fuel tank all the way to the top and make sure it doesn't leak. These things love to rust out. (100 - 300 bucks)

Wiggle the brake and clutch pedals. Do they stick on each other? If so, you may need to rebuild your pedal cluster... (12-100 bucks)

Shift smooth or sloppy. If real sloppy, may need new shift bushings. (10 to 120 bucks)

Dollars are off the cuff

and parts only, assuming no labor. There's more but this is a start.

Good Luck,
Morrie

Franco912 · Franco912's Garage

Hey,

All depends on the price. As a person soon to go through a divorce I'd probably feel the same way. Hope you never have to "understand". Anyway, get the car free or cheap (don't insult the guy, he's getting that already). Sell the 944 and spend the dough on the 912 after looking at areas mentioned in previous responses. You'll be very happy to have a more "raw" machine without all the distractions of the 944 ( I know, I had one right before my 912, too). Good luck. Remember, just 'cause she's been sitting doesn't mean nothing is wrong.

Frank