I've been a lurker here for quite a while, mostly keeping tabs on classifieds watching air-cooleds come and go. I bought a new Boxster in 2004 and really enjoyed it for a few years, truly an amazing car but was conflicted between it or an older 911. Of course in hindsight I wish I'd bought a 911 and watched the value go up with time, rather than the stark depreciation the Boxster experienced. Nonetheless, good memories of the fun I had with it.
Fast forward a decade, older and wiser (well, older anyway). I didn't really intend to buy a 911 right now, despite frequent perusing of BAT & the classifieds here. But I stumbled on this one through an acquaintance and figured now was as good a time as ever.
So I picked up this 1978 SC yesterday from Bend, Or. I honestly didn't even intend to bring it home yesterday, though my wife would tell you she knew I would. A buddy and I flew up from norcal to check it out, spent a couple of hours going through it and driving it. No major red flags (though, full disclosure, I did not drop valve covers to check for studs adrift - flame away). Car was unadvertised and very fairly priced, so I ended up cutting a check and sending my buddy home solo in the plane. I got a later start driving home than I would have liked, mostly because it's a beautiful drive and I would have enjoyed a bit more daylight. Fun nonetheless and the car ran strong all the way home, good sign when you can punch out 500 miles painlessly.
Color is Continental Orange and as far as I can tell it hasn't been resprayed. 137k miles, which I believe to be original based on condition. Not much documentation prior to seller's ownership (~last 10 years), but pretty clean throughout. It does have the pop off valve and later chain tensioners as well as 16" wheels and a strut brace, so there was an educated enthusiast somewhere in its past. I've got a punch list of projects to chip away at, likely starting with the Wevo shift kit and coupling. Eventually I'll get to the motor and suspension with an eye toward a well tended driver with some upgrades. As original as it is though I don't want to go too wild.
Very inspired by the extent of the activity here, not to mention the depth of resources. I've been combing the archives of the tech articles, the forum and the projects book, there's enough information to get me through a lifetime of ownership. I'm well short of the mechanical skills of many here but I'll post about my projects as I go, keep feeding the repository for the next fortunate soul.
I'm excited to join the ranks and am looking forward to sharing the passion.
