[boyt911sc]

Andy,

If you could afford not to sell the car and have a safe place to keep it while you are in Europe, I would keep it. I have a black ‘78 targa like yours that was sitting in my garage for more than 5 years actually 6 years in October. The gasoline was last filled in 2014 and forgotten under car cover.

Two (2) days ago, I decided to remove the car over and inspected the car. But it took me a year of procrastination to do it. It was running when I parked it but not this time. The battery was under battery tender and fully charged but won’t start.

Hooked a pressure gauge and the control fuel pressure was too high. And the smoke detector showed several sources of air leaks. Spent several hours fixing the problems including an engine partial drop. Too tired and called it a day.

Yesterday after breakfast with regained energy, went back to the garage and prepared for startup. The fuel pressures and air leaks were corrected but my concern was the old fuel. Never tried before using a 5 year old fuel that looks brown already. I wanted to drain the fuel but can not find big enough containers to hold 1/2 tank of gasoline. I decided to try what an old supply of gasoline would do this time.

First crank of the starter, no luck. Second crank and longer, still no luck. Third try, the engine started and stall. Fourth attempt, the engine roar to life and rev high and loud to 1200 rpm! I was surprised with gasoline more than 5 years old and with light brown in color could still make the engine run.

So putting your car in storage for 5 or 6 years is not that long. When I got back in the house my wife was asking why I was smiling and happy. My reply was that “I feel lucky and happy today”. The car has started multiple times since yesterday and could not asked for a better day.

Keep the car if you could and it will be waiting for you. I am almost 78 years old and might not be around when you get back in 6 years but there will be other guys to give some help. Good luck.

Tony