85 911 Cab... no clue what to ask

[cabmandone]

The whole story:

1985 Porsche 911 Carrera. GP White, black interior, black top.

My brother bought it for the 3.2 and 915. He was going to part the car out but I talked him into selling it to me. It sat in my shop for a few years before I found a 3.2 donor and transmission in 2013. The donor engine had unknown miles. I was told it came from a low mile 85 that had been totaled but I have no documentation. The engine and trans were installed in the roller and it was put on the road!

In 2014 the car was repainted. It was not a bare metal job. The only rust on the car was on the passenger side fender down low near the rocker. The fender was replaced. I installed new carpeting, recovered the front seats (vinyl), new convertible top installed, all new weather seals installed except for the horizontal seals on the cab top and "new" dash was installed. I say "new" because it was as very good dash from a salvage vehicle.

Over the years I've done most of the suspension except for the spring plate bushings. Turbo tie rods were installed. Brake calipers were rebuilt and ceramic pads installed. The car came with braided brake lines. New ARP head studs were installed in 2015. The engine was inspected (case was not split) while apart for head studs. New RSR seals were installed, a full engine seal kit was installed. An AFR gauge with data logging was installed when the engine went back in.

The 915 recently (2019)received a refresh of 1/2. 3/4/5 were all in good condition. The engine and transmission mounts were replaced when the trans was installed (2021). The axle shafts were replaced when the engine went back in with the refreshed transmission. The DME was sent to Sal to have it inspected, performance tune installed and 28 pin chip conversion (it was an older DME)

I removed the central lock system but still have all the parts to bring it back to original. It would need new door handle micro switches to make it functional again.

I never installed the compressor for the A/C.... it's a cab... so I have no idea what works or doesn't work. I do know it needs a front condenser fan to be complete.

The title is labeled as not actual mileage. The car showed 177,509 when the NAM branding occurred and last reported mileage was 226,428 (other than my brother putting 210,583 as mileage when he transferred the title to me). I'm not sure how much that matters with the work that has been done and the fact that the engine and transmission are not original to the car.

I have a binder I have done my best to keep up with that has receipts dating back to the original owner. The paint is in good shape yet but has some chips from driving it.

Why I'm going to sell: I don't drive the car enough. I don't have to sell it but I can't justify having it for no more than I drive it.

So what do you think it's worth? I'm planning to list it here in the for sale section. I'm not sure where else I'll list it yet.

A few pics of the subject.

[matt930s]

Damn, that's pretty. The white with black accents really works well. The mileage shouldn't be an issue....maybe a small hit for non-mathing #'s....Quick sale, $35-45K, or put on BAT and get a hellofa lot more...maybe $45-55K...

[cabmandone]

The weak point is probably the back tires. Somehow they're missing some of the center tread!

[Macroni]

The car presents well.....

The high mileage, non-matching drive train and information blanks would hold this back; $30,000 to $35,000......

It is going to take non-main stream buyer..... offer on Pelican.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Macroni

The car presents well.....

The high mileage, non-matching drive train and information blanks would hold this back; $30,000 to $35,000......

It is going to take non-main stream buyer..... offer on Pelican.

I was thinking the same thing. That or it will take someone looking for a good representation of a mid 80's 911 but not wanting to pay the ridiculous money they're bringing. I have been watching the BAT auctions and haven't seen many mention new head studs (a known weak point) or refreshed transmission.

I can't decide if I should have a leak down test done to give a prospective buyer some idea of the internals of the engine. Driving the car, it becomes pretty apparent it runs very strong.

[Macroni]

Given the lack of clarity on the motor it would make sense to present as much definition as possible......

I have been looking for a cab to modify into a GBody club racer..... stripped light, suspended to run as if it is glued to the road.... much like this.....



Your car would make a great candidate for that type of conversion....


I would offer it at $39,750. to $42,750. I would take my time listing all the work you have done by category......

• Body / Top
• Suspension/ Brakes, Tires and Wheels
• Mechanical / Electrical

You can tell this car has been cared for and that needs to be clearly communicated...... no run on sentences an easy read...

Mileage becomes irrelevant when you understand the systems that have been rebuilt. Think of the $95,000 Three hundred thousand mile SC that sold earlier this year....

[cabmandone]

I have threads in the tech and paint section that cover paint, interior, head studs and some of the other work I've done. If/when I list here, I'll probably link those threads. I'd probably be well served to link some of my brother's threads so people know who my "help" was when doing most of what I've done mechanically to the car. Gordo2 has some killer engine and trans threads.

[cabmandone]

Whaddaya think of this? I'm thinking I'll link this thread as an abbreviated version as well.

For Sale: 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Actual mileage is unknown. The title is listed as not actual mileage which probably happened due to an odometer failure. I've worked for the last 8 years on making this car what it is today.

History is below so read on if you’re so inclined. Asking Price is $38,000.

This is going to be a bit long but should answer any questions about the car if you take the time to read it and follow the links.

I’ve been contemplating selling my Cab for almost two years now. The decision hasn’t come easily as I bought the car from my brother and it has been a project my son and I worked on together. I just don’t drive the car enough to justify keeping it any longer.

My brother purchased this 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet back in 2009/2010 as a donor car for the 3.2 and 915 transmission. His intent was to keep the engine and transmission and part the rest of the car out. I asked that he not part the car out because it was still a solid 911 Cab and it just didn’t seem right to part it out. My brother sold me the roller on the condition that I “finish it”. I said “deal”.

Forward to 2013. The car had been sitting in my shop waiting for a 3.2 transplant for about 4 years while I searched for a donor car. I finally found the donor in Springfield IL in a 74/5 tub that was being fashioned to be a wide body speedster. I was told the engine and transmission came from a low mileage 911 that had been wrecked but I have no verification of mileage on the donor engine.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/762733-75-targa-tub-partial-strosek-964-speedster-kit-installed.html

I installed the donor car engine and trans in September 2013 not knowing if either worked. After a few stumbles, I had everything up and going.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/769731-installed-3-2-wont-start.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/770518-smoke-smoke-more-smoke-but-not-coming-out-exhaust.html

One of the first things I noticed when driving was that the 915 was a bit “clunky” when going from 1 to 2 or from 2 to 1.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/781765-grinding-when-downshifting-into-first.html

So I dug into the shift coupler and replaced the tunnel bushings as well. The current coupler has brass bushings but I have another coupler with new Delrin bushings I’ll include with the car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/782334-shift-coupler-bushings-prothane-delrin-brass.html

In 2019 my brother finally talked me into doing a refresh of first and second on the transmission that came from his 83 Targa. The work included new first and second gear synchro rings, sliders, dog teeth. I replaced the needle bearings because I found a few cages with cracks when I removed the gear stack to inspect everything. In the spring of 2021 I installed the refreshed transmission. The transmission now shifts flawlessly.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1044627-cabs-915-1-2-refresh-check-your-needle-bearing-cages.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1091762-mating-older-915-car-speed-ref-sensors.html

April of 2014 I decided to tackle the interior since I knew the engine and transmission were okay. This escalated quickly into a full paint, interior refinish, body seal replacement and new cab top being installed.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-detailing-forum/797267-while-im-there-strikes-again.html

I always thought the engine had a weird exhaust note! With the interior and exterior looking good I moved onto some performance upgrades. I was doing some testing of my engine in preparation for a new performance tune by Sal when I figured out what that weird exhaust note was. Yep! Broken head stud.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/865247-well-cant-good-exhaust-leak-head.html

Once I had the head stud issue taken care of it was back to tuning. Sal helped me make sure everything was in tip top shape prior to him checking my DME and installing a performance tune. Sal recommended that I have an AFR gauge installed to help determine engine health so I installed a system with data logging capabilities
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/886498-wiring-14point7-wideband-connect-lsu-4-9-power-source-only-when-engine-running.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/907707-another-satisfied-sal-scarceller-customer-chipped-my-dme.html

From this point it was basically just refining the car. I removed the central lock system due to a micro switch issue. The original central lock parts were kept and will come with the car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/798449-central-lock-help-before-i-scrap-system.html

March 2015 I installed turbo tie rods, new front struts, new rear shocks, rebuilt the brake calipers, installed new ceramic pads and installed new rubber bushings. The only bushings that have not been replaced by me are the spring plate bushings.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/853727-turbo-tie-rods-worthwhile-upgrade-street-car.html

Some engine bling was added recently when installing the refreshed transmission.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1091507-brought-my-fan-housing-gun-shop.html

I could probably keep going but at this point you should have the idea that this car has had the attention it deserved. It’s not a “perfect” example of a 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet but it’s a damn nice example of one. Most of the history during my ownership exists here on Pelican in the tech section. I have a binder with receipts dating back to the original owner.

[NYNick]

I understand where you're coming from. Pure, unbridled, honest presentation. Your heart is in the right place.

But the market may not always respond to an overload of information. I would seriously edit your ad to just the basics + and then inform anyone who is interested and asks questions. You don't need to scare your buyers off right off the bat.

I think your price is ok.

[Matt Monson]

Have you seen my “FS” threads similar to this one? I sold both my 86 Carrera and my 74 Project without ever having an actual FS thread. We all discussed the cars right here. And then people privately made unsolicited offers via pm.

Give it a week or two. Tend this thread. Add pictures and new information every few days. Lots of lurkers here who rarely post. You might be surprised.

I’m at $32-35k. That’s a reasonable selling price.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by NYNick

I understand where you're coming from. Pure, unbridled, honest presentation. Your heart is in the right place.

But the market may not always respond to an overload of information. I would seriously edit your ad to just the basics + and then inform anyone who is interested and asks questions. You don't need to scare your buyers off right off the bat.

I think your price is ok.

That's why I was thinking of leading with "for the abbreviated version see" and then link this thread instructing them to read my first post. I think my OP here covers the big points and the rest just hits on every point they could possibly ask about. Thanks for the feedback!

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Have you seen my “FS” threads similar to this one? I sold both my 86 Carrera and my 74 Project without ever having an actual FS thread. We all discussed the cars right here. And then people privately made unsolicited offers via pm.

Give it a week or two. Tend this thread. Add pictures and new information every few days. Lots of lurkers here who rarely post. You might be surprised.

I’m at $32-35k. That’s a reasonable selling price.

I did see your threads which was sort of my motivation for starting the thread here... that and just wanting some input on where folks thought I should be. I think this thread is good feedback for me as well as for any prospective buyer. Plus I think any sort of back and forth on value is prohibited in the for sale section isn't it?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I did see your threads which was sort of my motivation for starting the thread here... that and just wanting some input on where folks thought I should be. I think this thread is good feedback for me as well as for any prospective buyer. Plus I think any sort of back and forth on value is prohibited in the for sale section isn't it?

There’s no discussion allowed at all. There were too many trolls just talking trash. The discussion one gets here us very productive, IMO.

[Macroni]

I would edit certain aspects to very specific

Example: brake pads and rotors changed 2000 miles
Transmission rebuilt in 2018, then specific summary details

I do not like a ton of reading to determine specific information

[cabmandone]

I follow ya. I should summarize the work and what was done. I could still do the thread links so they could see what was done since my threads contain pics. The only exception is my trans refresh thread. I didn't do much documentation there since trans refresh has been covered several times in the tech section.

[cabmandone]

Better?

For Sale: 1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Asking $38,000

I purchased this car as a roller from my brother back in 2010. My brother removed the engine and transmission to rebuild and put in his 83 Targa.

The current engine came from a donor car I purchased in 2013. I have no documentation of mileage but I was told the engine came from a low mileage 911 that was totaled. In May 2015 I discovered the engine had a broken head stud so all were replaced with ARP studs. RSR seals were installed on the rocker arm pins and the engine was inspected for wear at the time. The case was not split when the work was done.

The current transmission is from my brother’s 83 Targa. I replaced first and second gear dog teeth, syncho rings, brake bands and sliders, installed new needle bearings because I found some had cracked cages and inspected the rest of the transmission. The transmission was always good in 3/4/5 but had the typical slow first to second which was the reason for the refresh.

I had the car painted in April 2014. The car was not stripped to bare metal but was mostly disassembled for paint. The only rust found at the time was on the passenger side front fender down near the rocker panel. I purchased a rust-free fender and replaced the one that was rusted. New carpet was installed and the front seats reupholstered with vinyl at this time. The door seals were all replaced. The only seals that have not been replaced are the horizontal seals on the Cab top. The two folding rear seatbacks were recovered in 2019 and installed.

The front struts and rear shocks were installed in March 2015 along with replacing most of the bushings except for the rear spring plate bushings. The brake calipers were resealed and new ceramic pads were installed at this time as well. The flexible brake lines are stainless steel braid.
The shift coupler was rebuilt using brass bushings in November 2013. I will include a second coupler with Delrin bushings that are new as well. I had two couplers so I did both in case I didn’t like the brass bushings. The shift rod bushing was new in 2014. The ball cup bushing was new in 2013 when I installed the short shifter with a Seine gate shift kit installed on it.

The DME was sent to Sal in 2015. The DME was inspected for cracks in the solder, updated to 89 specs, and a new chip with a performance tune was installed. I also installed a digital AFR gauge with datalogging capability at Sal’s recommendation. Sal also had me do a long list of tests to verify the engine management system was functioning properly and that there were no vacuum leaks prior to chipping. He said he didn’t want to mask any issues with a new tune or cause a current issue to worsen as a result of the new tune.

The cruise control works. The windshield wiper pump was recently replaced, the washer fluid tank removed and cleaned and the headlight washer switch replaced. I recently installed a new door stay on the driver side door.

The title is listed as Not Actual Miles. I have a Carfax for the vehicle that I’d be happy to share with prospective buyers. In 1997 the odometer reading was 177,059 when it was reported as Not Actual Mileage.

The car runs very well. There are no oil leaks. I never installed the air conditioning compressor so I don’t know exactly what is needed to get the A/C up and working if you want to. I do know the condenser fan is missing but I have a good enclosure that will come with the car. I have the compressor and the mounting bracket and both will come with the car.

I have the factory 1 out muffler which will be include along with the correct rear valance. The car currently has a modified 2 out muffler installed that has a nice exhaust note. I have a 2 out valance but need the rubber strip to mount it
.
The rear tires have spacers installed to set the back tires out wider.

I removed the central lock system due to a micro switch failure. I have all of the internal and electrical components except for the bad micro switch and they will be included.

I think this covers everything. If you’d like to see some of the work that was done to the car there are links below for most of what was done. You can also do an advanced search in the 911 Tech section to find pretty much everything I’ve ever done to the car.

Engine:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/769731-installed-3-2-wont-start.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/770518-smoke-smoke-more-smoke-but-not-coming-out-exhaust.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/865247-well-cant-good-exhaust-leak-head.html

Transmission:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/781765-grinding-when-downshifting-into-first.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/782334-shift-coupler-bushings-prothane-delrin-brass.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1044627-cabs-915-1-2-refresh-check-your-needle-bearing-cages.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1091762-mating-older-915-car-speed-ref-sensors.html

Paint and interior:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-detailing-forum/797267-while-im-there-strikes-again.html

Tuning and AFR:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/907707-another-satisfied-sal-scarceller-customer-chipped-my-dme.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/886498-wiring-14point7-wideband-connect-lsu-4-9-power-source-only-when-engine-running.html

[cabmandone]

^^^
I think that looks a lot cleaner and easier to follow and does a nice job of laying out all the work that I've done for the most part.

[Macroni]

Perfect . A real Pelican 911.

[WPOZZZ]

That is a gorgeous car! GLWTS!

[cabmandone]

Might as well post some interior pics here too!