3.0 sc that I'm not quite sure what to do with

[Tincan365]

I just picked up an 83 Cab from my buddy and I'm not quite sure what to do with it. Quick back story. Buddy's dad was doing pretty well for himself, owned an airline hanger where all the cars (Maserati, Ferrari, 911, etc..) lived at, and had a family mechanic taking care of everything. In 1983 he bought a fully loaded cab, blk on blk on blk, sport seats, 16" Fuchs, LSD, etc.. He bought it in 83' drove it on weekends or whatever, then passed away in 86' I believe. His wife continued to drive it once or twice a year and the mechanic drove it to keep seals from drying up, changed oil and fuel, and generally cared for the car. It's never slept outside and has 26,xxx miles on it currently.
The car is great condition except for two 2" scratches on the hood and front bumper and 1 door ding, but other then that it's super clean.

I've known about the car for 15 years or so, and always said "if your family ever wants to get rid of it, let me know..." Well, now I have it. And this is where the "problem" lies. I've modified every car I've ever had, and I really enjoy tinkering, tuning and I have a pretty capable home shop. But this car has made it 40 years and is in near perfect shape, plus totally stock and I don't really want to be the one to ruin that. And if I'm being honest, I think I'd rather have a coupe.

Part of me says keep it as I totally trust this car (ZERO rust) and have FULL records of it since the day of purchase (including the hand written letter from the dealership) and just enjoy it. There are so many cool goodies that I've dreamed of finding with an old car like factory window stickers, Porsche SC sunglasses w/ case and window cleaner spray bottle! I found a factory Porsche hard top local that I've been seriously thinking about, as well as have been talking with D. Morris about a carbon hard top. Plus, it is super nice having the top down on a foggy fall morning!

My other Idea was to trade for a drivers car, 3.0,3.2, swapped 3.6 (my favorite idea), or 964.

Really, I was just looking to get some ideas, suggestions or encouragement.

Thanks in advance.

[Tincan365]

I guess I should clarify too. What I'd like to do is swap out headlights, seats (i've got a set of Recaro sportsters from another car not being used), exhaust, short shifter, etc... I feel like I shouldn't do that to this car because it's a survivor. This is where the idea of trading to someone that really appreciates a stock factory car.

[NYNick]

Oh no you don't! That car is too cool the way it is and with 26K miles, somebody will be all over it to buy and and keep it the way it is. Don't screw with it.

Not everybody likes Cabs but I love them. It makes me feel like i'm driving a true sports car. Sure there's some shake rattle and roll but let's face it, you won't be winning any races anyway.

If you can't resist modifying the car, make sure you keep everything you remove. I'd keep it the way it is and enjoy it. If not, you'll get good money for a car in that condition with that mileage.

My advice: keep it, drive it a lot and learn to love it.

[Matt Monson]

Don’t ruin that nice new gearbox with a short shifter. And there’s no such thing as a factory hardtop they I’ve ever seen. Nice one year only car, with it being an SC. Changing the seats is a no brainer.

If I stumbled on that car and bought it, this is what I would do… I’d start by driving it for a year. That old with that low of miles a few things will reveal themselves. Fix them properly. I would even drive it in the stock seat for a while. Then assess it after a year.

This is a zero risk situation. You’ve got a nice unique car that will easily fund your next one. Drive it for a while. It’s a girlfriend, not a wife.

[Tincan365]

Nick- I totally feel that an open top makes it feel like a true sports car. The Targa top is one of my favorite things with my 914. And I also know I won't be racing this and I should probably enjoy it.

Matt- My plan was to drive it for a year or two, and decide if I want to sell it then. I have noticed a few things that need to be fixed up, tie rod ends and motor mounts, but really everything else has been fixed already.
Porsche did offer a hardtop for the SC and Carrera, but they are hens tooth rare. The only one that has popped up that I know of sold for on PC market a few years ago.
"It's a girlfriend, not a wife." I love this, I defiantly need to keep this in mind!!

Thanks for the input!

[Tincan365]

[Matt Monson]

Seems legit. But it doesn’t change my underlying point. I wouldn’t spend that money making it yours if it’s not in the window sticker. Say you pay $2500 for it. You won’t get that back when you go to sell the car. Rare and unique parts don’t appeal to everyone.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Tincan365

I guess I should clarify too. What I'd like to do is swap out headlights, seats (i've got a set of Recaro sportsters from another car not being used), exhaust, short shifter, etc... I feel like I shouldn't do that to this car because it's a survivor. This is where the idea of trading to someone that really appreciates a stock factory car.

Since all of these can be returned to stock without any modifications, i don't see the problem. I swapped out the sport seats in my 78 with Recaro SRD, exalted the Sport seats and bagged them.
That's way too nice of a car to trade off. Bag everything you swap out so you can return to stock if there is ever a need, and in the meantime the factory sport seats don't get worn.

[Mike80911]

I agree with Racer seems. It seems like a great car and all of the things you are mentioning are easily reversible. So just keep the old parts and if it ever comes time to sell just put them back on.

[Tincan365]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Since all of these can be returned to stock without any modifications, i don't see the problem. I swapped out the sport seats in my 78 with Recaro SRD, exalted the Sport seats and bagged them.
That's way too nice of a car to trade off. Bag everything you swap out so you can return to stock if there is ever a need, and in the meantime the factory sport seats don't get worn.

Yea, that's a good point. I hadn't planned on doing anything permanent, but hearing you guys say to keep it all boxed up and swap it back if ever needed makes me feel a bit better.

Thanks for the input from everyone so far. I don't really have any 911 buddies to bounce ideas off of (all my Audi guys are telling be to turbo it ) so just hearing different prospectives helps out.

[Matt Monson]

Sure, everything is reversible, but that's a lot of hours of your time. Your first post suggests to me that this isn't really what you want. I'm telling you to just start driving the car and see if you bond with it. There's no downside to waiting. At that mileage it's true survivor status, They are only original once, and putting the parts back on doesn't make it original again. Someone entering this car later in a preservation class PCA concours will get dinged for things like tool marks on the seat bolts because they've been replaced.

She's your girlfriend. You can bang her if you want to. But you might get more for her later if you don't.

[Mocker]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

She's your girlfriend. You can bang her if you want to. But you might get more for her later if you don't.

Dangit, where's Ronnie when you need him?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Mocker

Dangit, where's Ronnie when you need him?

Right? I miss him.

[Cobalt964ruf]

Matt, i tell you what... just send the car over to me... ill drive it for you, keep it up, and service it...

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Cobalt964ruf

Matt, i tell you what... just send the car over to me... ill drive it for you, keep it up, and service it...

I think you're trying to be funny, but I don't own this car.

I never told him to park and not enjoy it, quite the contrary. Last thing anyone will ever accuse me of being is a waxxer.

To continue the metaphor, you date a girl for a while usually before you bang her. tincan just met this girl. He might fall in love yet.

[ducatiroger]

Targa conversion!

[Tincan365]

Originally Posted by ducatiroger

Targa conversion!

No way! I've been driving with the top down the past few days and It's pretty nice!
Plus, I've got a 914 for the targa..

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by Tincan365

No way! I've been driving with the top down the past few days and It's pretty nice!
Plus, I've got a 914 for the targa..

Try it some warm night. You'll never sell it after that.