Just became a Porsche owner, so I've got some questions

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

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.

Oh Haha · 10-15-2011, 06:44 AM

Welcome to Pelican. I can't help with bodywork but that really is a great looking 911.

What color is that?

I really like the Momos. The fabric looks vintage with the crosshatch pattern.

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

Not sure the name, but it's a deep forest green type of color. I'm still debating as to whether or not to keep the tail on. It's obviously no original to the car, but it's starting to grow on me... I would have said I'm more of a purist and liked the lines of the car better without it, but while I'm here, I wonder what the opinions are. I was toying with the idea of going the mid 70's Gulf paint job scheme, with a light blue car and orange stripe down the middle, and that would work much better with the tail on. But I've got plenty of time to decide.

Oh Haha · 10-15-2011, 06:57 AM

I think the tail looks great.

livi · 10-15-2011, 07:04 AM

Welcome! Looks great!

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Looks good, has a full RS interior? I think I see a roll bar that the harnesses are attached to, they aren't 4 point are they? Not allowed in this area, have to have a sub belt that passes through the seat bottom (6 point is best) or use factory belts. I would assume, with the condition of that paint, most body shops will want to strip her right down to bare metal and work from there. A "cheap" shop may do it for $5K but I would plan on more than that unless you do a lot of work yourself.

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

Yeah, four point seat belt with quick release... Schrohs or something like that? It's not a full roll bar, just a harness bar, but it does look as if adds a good structural bit. I don't know what a "full" RS interior is but it does have the RS carpeting and door panels.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren-TAG

Yeah, four point seat belt with quick release... Schrohs or something like that? It's not a full roll bar, just a harness bar, but it does look as if adds a good structural bit. I don't know what a "full" RS interior is but it does have the RS carpeting and door panels.

Yes, door panels and carpets are about it. Do the seats have a slot for a sub-belt? If no, i'm pretty sure they have to go for track duty and most likely the harnesses are pretty old anyway. Sure someone here would buy them for their 100% road car..

You in the Risentoter PCA Region? Great group, get plenty of help from them too.

nesslar · 10-15-2011, 08:05 AM

Moss green metallic, I'd say.....like the car Helgesen has/had?

Dueller · 10-15-2011, 08:06 AM

Hey...its not cosmeytically challenged...its called Patina. Clean it up and enjoy it. No one wi;ll scoff at that ride.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

call MEguiars at their 800 # and describe the situation

will likely tell you to use Body Scrub or the new repl. for that in a black bottle on a random orbit buffer - I use a sander w/ a foam pad

jwasbury · 10-15-2011, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

Do the seats have a slot for a sub-belt? If no, i'm pretty sure they have to go for track duty and most likely the harnesses are pretty old anyway.

An auto upholstery shop can modify the seat bottoms with a slot for 5 point harness if needed.

All cars look better in pictures, but that appears to be a fine looking driver to me. Personally, I'd rather have older high quality paint with some road rash and patina than newer low quality paint. If you go for a 'proper' full repaint, its going to be very expensive. Will you still be comfortable using the car as a driver or putting on the track if its wearing perfect paint? Bust out the random orbital and see if you can't bring the paint up a level.

uncle_scott · uncle_scott's Garage

Looks great! I love the deep green. I echo these posts. Clean it up and drive it. Worry about paint when you are ready to sacrifice driving it for a clean shiny ride. Personally, the way your car sits now makes it much more useable, and more worry free about parking it in public places, etc. Just enjoy it, drive it like you stole it, and of course, post more pics

.

masraum · 10-15-2011, 04:25 PM

It looks fine in most of the pics. It looks like the tail could use some paint to get it to match, and is the paint on the sunroof buggered, or is that just a weird reflection.

The pics that you posted, definitely make it look like a well used example, but nothing bad.

If it's got some bad spots, you may want to take a picture or two of those spots and post them. Then folks will be able to give you their thoughts.

jnewman · 10-15-2011, 04:41 PM

Drive it, dude, and of course you should take it to the pca meeting as is. No one will make fun of that car. By the way, how many miles does it have? Just curious (I bought mine with 140k).

redridge · 10-15-2011, 06:40 PM

if you are gonna do a paint job... make sure you do a glass, lid, doors, rubber etc... off. Its the only way to get it somewhat right. You can do most of this yourself before sending it to the shop.

Seems like a great car though.... its a beauty and a beast.

kiwiokie · 10-15-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren-TAG

I'm still debating as to whether or not to keep the tail on. It's obviously no original to the car, but it's starting to grow on me... I would have said I'm more of a purist and liked the lines of the car better without it, but while I'm here, I wonder what the opinions are.

That looks like a correct Carrera wing to me even though it has obviously come off a different car. General opinion seems to be to not run a front spoiler without some form of wing on the back to balance the front/rear lift.

redridge · 10-15-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwiokie

That looks like a correct Carrera wing to me even though it has obviously come off a different car. General opinion seems to be to not run a front spoiler without some form of wing on the back to balance the front/rear lift.

I think its the other way around... you can run with the front by itself, but running with the rear wing by itself will create front lift...

ynotony1966 · ynotony1966's Garage

its beautiful justa as it is
if your anything like me once i get started im never satified
"if it aint broke dont fix it" popeye the sailer man

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

Thanks for the sanity check guys, this is really what I was looking for, just some off the cuff feedback and general real world comments from the community. It's my first Porsche, it's been on the to do list for a long time, it's the car I lusted for when I was in HS and it's Porsche during the McLaren TAG Porsche powered cars of the 80's and I'm a big F1 fan.

So to answer the questions, the car has 116k miles, but the engine has 72k miles. The various blotches visible in the paint job are primarily the clear coat coming off and peeling, there are minor dings and work needed to the front fenders and the hood, but the car was never hit has no rust and is straight as an arrow. Everything closes with a very reassuringly Germanic thunk sound. The tail is legit Carrera from a white donor car, not fiberglass, so I figure I can keep it and if I even change my mind, it's probably easier (and cheaper) to get lid than a tail.

You guys have reaffirmed what I was feeling with words of wisdom, I'm going to enjoy the car for a few months, really drive it and fall in love with its goodness before I decide what the next steps should be.