Engine Decklid

[kfitz911]

New to this forum, but lurked in the past. Anyway, where is the best place to find a used but in good shape replacement for my damaged decklid of my '86 Guards Red Cabriolet? I don't want to have it repainted as the local Porsche dealership's recommended bodyshop isn't confident they can match the paint, for some goofy reason. You'd think matching to code would be easy since the original paint is just about flawless and shows no fading or oxidation. It's a 24,000 mile garage queen, but I bought it to drive more than the previous owner. Still only for nice days, but in Minnesota they are few and far between for only 7 months of the year! Argh! Would take one with the original Carrera tail, but prefer the clean look it came with. Thanks! Forgive me if I have posted this in the wrong section too!

[stormmaster]

Trust me....you will not be able to bolt on another lid and expect it to match....This color is one of the most difficult to match...reds fade differently in different climates and with different exposures...I suggest you find a shop (not your dealer) that has a good reputation in your area that can handle the refinish...it isnt hard but it takes a good painter to get it right....one other point....dont expect the painter to take your paint code and just spray it on and it will match....wont happen....talk to several painters

[kfitz911]

Don,

Thanks, that's kind of what I expect. Just hoping someone might have a similar lid laying around that they took off to put a wing on or something and the match is very, very close. Wishful thinking I know. Searched ebay left and right, along with some of the salvage companies advertising in Porsche mags, missed out on some here and there. Will take your advice however and approach some other paint pros. Appreciate the response!

Kevin

[stormmaster]

No problem...you can always do what I did....buy a tail....you can also have yours repaired if its not TOO bad....but both mean repaint....sorry for the bad news....you can try posting a WTB on the parts board here or on rennlist.....just a thought if you havent tried there already....one thing to consider....if you do find a gaurds red one....you will only have to pay to get the outside painted to match as the inside wont matter...you might want to try one of many porsche dismantlers across the country....I know there is a good one here in Georgia...and I know of a good one in Oklahoma....I am sure there are several in California as well as others.....do a google for porsche dismantlers...another though....good luck in your search

[kfitz911]

Will do - Thanks again Don!

Kevin

[real550A]

It may take some patience, but Guards Red decklids do show up every so often. Just keep your eyes open, and refresh this thread once in a while. Good luck!

[rbuswell]

That's a beautiful car. I would look for another body shop ... perhaps one who specializes in restorations. Anyone who says they can't match the paint exactly shouldn't be allowed to touch that car.

[stormmaster]

Any professional painter that says he can't match the paint should get another profession....some shops just don't want to deal with small projects due to profit versus profit of collision repair....you will definitely pay more at a restoration shop....but not sure if the quality of work would be any better...I have seen some real butchers that call themselves restorers...

[kfitz911]

That is so true - I am going to check into someone else in the Twin Cities area. The place I went is the local dealer's favored shop, but there is another dealer in the west metro and they use a different vendor. I'll also ask around the local Nord Stern owners club. Anyone out their have recommendations?

Appreciate the comments and I'm sure I'll either find a replacement lid or get a good and virtually undetectable respray.

Or, should I use the repair as an opportunity to replace with a carbon lid, then have that sprayed? Hmmm...

Tough to put anything on other than OEM the way this car sits though, so I'll either buy a new lid and have that done or continue the used search.

Kevin

[rbuswell]

Maybe the pictures aren't zoomed in enough (your picture on the Pelican Parts Classifieds site is directly from behind) but I don't see the damage to your current decklid. Even so, an expert body shop should be able to make it look great. It's too bad that shops aren't wanting to take the job because they could be doing bigger jobs instead. I'd let your favorite dealer know about this because it sounds like a punt as Stormmaster noted.

[kqw]

Originally posted by rbuswell
That's a beautiful car. I would look for another body shop ... perhaps one who specializes in restorations. Anyone who says they can't match the paint exactly shouldn't be allowed to touch that car.

My thoughts exactly. A quality/professional shop would laser your paint color and mix to match.

[jmohn]

Post your request on the Nord Stern tech list (techtalk@NordStern.org) and you should get a response. There have been several members who have gotten satisfactory repair/repaint in the last year.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[kfitz911]

Thanks Jerry M, I'll give Nord Stern a shot too! Any other recommendations from anyone? I did post a WTB in Pelican, but nothing for responses yet. Keeping an eye on that and eBay.