I bought another one!

Schumi · 04-13-2008, 05:13 PM

Well guys... I am the proud new owner of another 1987 924S as of today! That makes two!

I actually was alerted to the car by my father. He's semi-retired and has been spending a lot of time looking at used cars. Came across an ad yesterday about a non-running 924S. Called about it, supposedly the car has sat a while and the head gasket is toast. The engine has 97,000 miles (not sure how accurate that number is but seems believable.) So he calls me and says he is thinking about getting it as a parts car to part out. I didn't like the idea of another one of these cars getting parted out so I said I would buy it instead. Since I live about 120 miles away he went today and picked it up. The cost?

$700. Yes, that's seven zero zero. Body is straight except for some minor front end damage (no problem for me to fix myself) and paint it dirty but should buff up very good. Wheels are perfect, tires are old.

Like I said, the head gasket is done for and the car has not been running in a long time so first on the list after the head gasket is new belts. Of course, everything is going to get gone over and flushed. I'm going to tackle everything myself, the gasket, the belts, seals, everything. Its going to be a learning experience. Looks like we will have another "Pelican does head gasket: hilarity ensues" thread!

Like I said my father towed the car back to his home (where I store my other 924S in the winter) and as I am busy until next week so I won't be able to give a detailed report on it's mechanical condition until then. But in the meantime I have some pictures he sent (remember, this car was only $700!):

lovemy924S · lovemy924S's Garage

i envy you for finding such a steal...my 924S was 650 and it got hit by a tree and has a bad oil pump...

nice find! thanks for saving another one!

John_AZ · 04-13-2008, 05:26 PM

A real nice find. Please do not use it as a parts car. Your dad did you well. Congrats.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

JonA · 04-13-2008, 05:30 PM

You done good for $700.00.
My 87 924S has the red plastic lens that extends all the way across the back of the car where your's has the licnese plate holder. The license plate on mine is attached to the rear bumper. I wonder why the difference?

Jon

Schumi · 04-13-2008, 05:34 PM

I think the 'reflector plate' was a trim option. I don't think the euro cars had them as the euro plates fit better in between the lights.

My other 924S also has the plate in between the lights.

John_AZ · 05:45 PM

I had the red Porsche light reflector on my 1979 924. It came with the car.
There is discussion as to the need to change the 924 Porsche design by adding this. I have chosen not to use it on my current cars.

BTW, if you decide to remove it there will be holes to fill and other issues.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

thekidd · 11:10 PM

Nice find and it will be very fun semi-restoring this Babe.
Not to jump onto the post, but how would you go about converting from the PORSCHE reflecter the the rear like Schumi's. Is it one long tail light, or is it the same as Schumi's with the lisence plate above the bumper

John_AZ · 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekidd

Nice find and it will be very fun semi-restoring this Babe.
Not to jump onto the post, but how would you go about converting from the PORSCHE reflecter the the rear like Schumi's. Is it one long tail light, or is it the same as Schumi's with the lisence plate above the bumper

If I understand correctly, it will look like Schumi's after you fill a few mounting holes. It is 1 piece that fits between the 2 tail lens.

John_AZ

924RACR · 04-14-2008, 08:23 AM

Looks like a fun project! After the head's fixed and she's back under her own power, then you can install the spec suspension package, cage, and race seat and get racin'!

Schumi · 04-14-2008, 08:30 AM

944 Spec is calling me! Considering the cost of rebuilding the motor and adding that to the purchase price I am still well under what it would cost to have bought a good running car with the belts and motor already freshened up. While it's not too much of a looker, it seems perfect for a DE or club car.

I really want to get my SCCA license and do a few trackdays. ITS racing is always there too.

It would be great for DE's.. as my friend put it: it's fast enough to really teach you how to find the limit but not fast enough to scare you away from ever staying on it.

924RACR · 04-14-2008, 09:57 AM

Hells yeah! Heck, do the trackdays, don't worry about the license, you only need that for going wheel-to-wheel; just get the engine straight and get the Spec suspension package with Koni's, it's what I started with and it really is quite good. The cars just roll right over with stock spring rates, on track...

Schumi · 04-16-2008, 08:03 AM

Vaughan, do you run in ITB class? I have seen many pictures of your car, I love it. I really like the look of Waterford Hills, I know a guy who owns one of our old formula cars who uses it at open trackdays up there. I wish I lived closer, I'd be out there for sure.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Nice. Whether you end up driving the car or selling it, kudos for you for bringing another one back from the dead instead of sending it to the junkyard.

924RACR · 04-16-2008, 10:08 AM

Yes, I run in ITB - thanks!

Yeah, it's a great track, but tough to race on... as a good look at my racecar will reveal! LOL

Schumi · 04-17-2008, 11:06 PM

It's clean now so I got some more pics. The body in incredibly straight. There is one dent in the header panel and the lower valence has been cashed like a lot of 924S's. I think it can be easily repaired easily. The dent in the header panel, well I can get that out as I will be taking the header panel off along with the radiator and what not to do the belts and get a good look at the front end.

The driver's seat is cashed out, but the passenger seat looks brand new. Same with the rear seats. The rear carpet unfortunately is faded to hell. It doesn't have the tint like my other one.

mr. dude · 04-18-2008, 04:45 AM

Nice find!!!! I'm jealous.

924RACR · 04-18-2008, 05:08 AM

IIRC the header panel on the 924S is still welded on, not bolt-on...

Schumi · 04-18-2008, 11:51 AM

Yea, after thinking about that last night I' pretty sure you're right. I remember someone having to cut theirs out to replace it.

I guess we'll see how much body work I end up doing AFTER I get the head off and inspect her. If it has bent valves or has seized for some reason, things will get a bit more difficult. Hopefully it's not bad though..

hpservertech · 04-18-2008, 12:15 PM

Hay man, great buy!

if you need a head though let me know. I've got one still in the garage so no shipping. lol

Keep us updated with the progress.

mhart · 04-19-2008, 07:24 PM

nice find...looks like a fun project

btw, if it turns out the valves are toast you could always just pick up a 951 or 968 engine and swap that in...that would make for a pretty sick car I think