1983 Porsche 911 SC...Tree. Savable or Parts car?

[JJK78-951]

Good evening Pelicans~

This was supposedly a running car approx. 3 years ago, when the "accident" happened. A very large tree branch took one back for Mother Nature... The driver's door and roof took the brunt of the hit, folding the B pillars in and towards the passenger side a bit and causing a slight crease in the driver's rear fender. Also, some damage to the top of the decklid and the passenger rear fender by the taillight. It all looks repairable with the right tools and parts... like a frame machine and a new roof!



In all seriousness I do believe it is repairable which was the previous owners plan, but the PO could not get either the car insurance or homeowners' insurance to cover the damage. So unfortunately, after sitting at the body shop for 2 years it ended up back at the scene of the crime... While it was "covered" the entire time, moisture still got inside and did a number on the interior. I've done a basic cleanup on the car getting the broken glass and trashed interior bits out, some are salvageable, some not so much.

While the engine did not sustain any damage and I was told it was a running car at the time of the accident, upon further inspection while I don't doubt it was running, I'm sure it needed serious help. Supposedly even fired right up after sitting for a year after the accident, although this I highly doubt. I have the car back at my shop now and began doing the basics to check out the driveline and see if I could get it running, even though there was a good bit of oil on the rollback after towing, I remained optimistic! Rolled the motor over by hand and it turned over quite easily... maybe a little toooo easily �� Anyway I got it in the air and started by draining the fuel tank which has seen better days, though I've seen worse. Drained the gear oil and it looked brand new, so I flushed it and put some new Brad Penn 80/90 in it. Motor has some leaks in some suspect areas but was surprised to find there was no oil in the motor...probably because the drain plug was missing! Yeah, I don't know either folks, so I went ahead and removed the sump plate and screen, and upon visual inspection everything looked great, sump screen was clean and looks like it had been recently serviced. So, as I mentioned earlier, I saw some concerning oil leaks between the heads and jugs on the passenger side and since I had planned on doing a valve adjust on it decided to go ahead and pull the lower valve cover... Unfortunately, it was as I had suspected and 3/6 of the head studs are broken. At that point I just buttoned things back up and need to make a decision as to what its' fate will be.

It's not all bad though, there are a few highlights!
97322 Miles
Unused spare tire!
Fuchs wheels are in good shape and had brand new tires installed about a week before the accident!
Color is interesting as it is a blue/purple color but can't figure out exactly what it is... paint code attached in front trunk with double sided stick tape is 33M-9-3. Yes, that is the correct code. No I can't find anything about it either.
Clear Georgia Title. Clear CarFax. No insurance claims were ever paid out on this "accident".


For better or worse that is the long and short of it. As I bought it basically sight unseen knowing the damage my initial plan was to part it out. After looking it over my opinion has waivered about parting it out. Considering all things, it really is either a parts car, or in need of a full restoration. I have no problem parting it out but is too much of a project for me to take on at the moment as I already have my hands full. Before I pass my judgement down I figured I would ask the jury for their opinion.

Is it a parts car?
Is it worth saving?
Maybe make it a convertible?
If worth saving, what value do you put on it as-is?

Deep down I feel it would be a shame to chop it up. To restore it is definitely a passion project for someone with the time and budget, not for the faint of heart. What say you Pelicans???

More pictures can be found here: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AuNVw6VKpVsxqBz21SCGOi7qEr61?e=d4kz2F

Thanks!
John

[JJK78-951]

[BoxsterGT]

Sell it to me. I am a serious buyer. Love the color.

First in line???

Len

[Marine Blue]

So if insurance didn’t cover the damage is it safe to assume the carfax is clean?

[dwelle]

^^ great point.

what's the status of the title?...

[JJK78-951]

Originally Posted by BoxsterGT

Sell it to me. I am a serious buyer. Love the color.

First in line???

Len

You are first in line for the complete car
Color is incredible, still not sure what it is almost a mystic. Very cool
Thanks!
J

Originally Posted by Marine Blue

So if insurance didn’t cover the damage is it safe to assume the carfax is clean?

You assume correctly, kinda slipped that in in the original post under my joke about the wheels and tires being the best parts of the car~

Clear Georgia title, clear CarFax. 19 records in CarFax dating back to March of 92 with 54xxx miles. No accidents, failed emissions a few times but otherwise all clear... That weighs heavily on my how I feel about parting it out as technically I could register it and start driving it as is.

Thanks!
J

[JJK78-951]

Originally Posted by dwelle

^^ great point.

what's the status of the title?...

Ahhh. no-one reads all the words Highlighted above now so it is not so hidden!

Just replied to that... slipped it in under my joke about the wheels and tires being the best part of the car~

Clear Title.
Clear CarFax.

Thanks!
J

[andoni510]

I have a nice Sunroof clip here in Florida to bring this car back to life. Complete sunroof parts available too. About a 6 hour drive between points.

[dwelle]

there ya go. get that car on a celette bench and get cracking...

[andoni510]

I also have the lower rear windshield frame to make the repair easier

[JJK78-951]

Originally Posted by andoni510

I also have the lower rear windshield frame to make the repair easier

I may need that and the roof! I certainly appreciate it as having leads on parts plays a big factor.
I've contacted a local guy with a Frame machine and the proper jigs but he is out of town at the moment. Ultimately he'll decide the fate based on the quote, maybe we can work something out!

Thanks!
J

[snbush67]

That car isn’t even close to being done. Fix it and drive it.

[andoni510]

Originally Posted by JJK78-951

I may need that and the roof! I certainly appreciate it as having leads on parts plays a big factor.
I've contacted a local guy with a Frame machine and the proper jigs but he is out of town at the moment. Ultimately he'll decide the fate based on the quote, maybe we can work something out!

Thanks!
J

It would be great to bring it back to life it deserves. I have more parts like rear deck lid and driver door if your is shot. I will make it worth your drive from Marietta to Palm Coast, FL. 32137

Bob

[Macroni]

If this is a passion project fixit.

If you expect it to bring more than $45 to $50K afterwards I believe there is a low probability, and I would part it.

[Unobtanium-inc]

If it was an S you would do it.


---Adam

[JJK78-951]

Originally Posted by andoni510

It would be great to bring it back to life it deserves. I have more parts like rear deck lid and driver door if your is shot. I will make it worth your drive from Marietta to Palm Coast, FL. 32137

Bob

Thanks Bob, you are definitely making it more tempting to turn into a project!! Florida is still nice to visit this time of year
Thanks!
J

Originally Posted by Macroni

If this is a passion project fixit.

If you expect it to bring more than $45 to $50K afterwards I believe there is a low probability, and I would part it.

I think like anything it is all about what you put into it. It is not necessarily a passion project for me but it is growing on me.

Definitely a mixed reaction on the poll although weighing more heavily towards fixing it now... waiting on the frame guy to get back into town is worse than waiting for the UPS man!
Thanks!
J

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

If it was an S you would do it.


---Adam

Haha well an early S of course, nice find BTW! Mid 70s S probably not so much! That's why I'm 50/50 on this SC. It could be greased lightning... but is it worth it?

Thanks!
J

[Matt Monson]

Hack it up and make a Speedster replica out of it. I only half joke.

[Marine Blue]

Seems like the perfect foundation for a hot rod, off road 911 or similar.

[RSTarga]

It is too bad they left it out in the rain would have been much cheaper to fix.

[NYNick]

Sell it. It'll go quickly to someone who really wants it.