Well... I bought it, what will surely be a labor of love. It's a currently not so beautiful 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe. Mechanically it's 9.5 out of 10, cosmetically it's more like a 6 out of 10 and I'm being generous. Hopefully over the next year or three it will be completed.
I'm purchasing the car through a Porsche shop that does restoration and mechanical work, the owner of the car has had it since 2006 and in that time has spent 40 thousand dollars (all documented) in performance upgrades and mechanical repairs on the car, it really is that good a running vehicle the list of performance parts is a mile long. Which includes a low mileage Euro 3.2 engine and entirely rebuilt transmission and clutch as well as all suspension and bushings. He completely neglected any and all cosmetic work however, maybe that's why I was able to buy the car in the first place.
I'm a happy, happy boy right now.
I've gone ahead and done all the right things, joined my local PCA chapter, found this forum, and will have the car in my possession by the end of the month. Currently the shop/dealer I purchased it from is changing the oil, flushing the brakes, doing a full lube and repairing a slight issue with the sunroof as it doesn't close fully withing manual intervention. My first change to the car will likely be upgrading to H4 lights maybe as a christmas present to me.
My intent is to have a car that I can drive two or three thousand miles annually, take to an autocross, and a couple of track days a year. As such the car really needs a full paint job, and probably 50% of the rubber and trim will likely need to be replaced. I don't want a concourse car, since
I do want to drive it but I don't want the ugliest car in any get together, which in it's current state, it will probably be. Anyone with experience as to how much is too much and how little is not enough? What may be the sweet spot from price standpoint to get the car in a presentable condition? Especially to a molested car which this is. I know this is all subjective and prices will vary depending on many factors, but I'm looking for general impressions and feedback in order to make a decision in a couple of months after I find a good body shop through the club.
