Need to make a decision....

[Damon in STL]

I'm trying to make a decision on what to do.

Here is a brief background...

• I have a 1975 911s with a 3.0 ltr motor with about 4.5k on it since rebuild (have records). While welding I had embers hit a towel and catch fire 24 hours later. Caught the garage door insulation on fire... caused the garage door to open and drip burning styrofoam onto ducktail of 911....caught the pressurized fuel lines on fire...quite a site! Bunch of melted wires and hoses....etc.... Engine is fine.
  
• This all happened the day (after) final tuning of the Bitz kit I had just install. Car has now sat for about 3 years.
  
• Got divorced....and life changed a bit.
  
• Bought a widebody 1977, all steel turbo flares and had it painted.
  
• Found a GF who enjoys cars....but, takes up the spare time for building cars (previous wife escape mechanism?). Greatly enjoy the GF and think I will keep her....and do car stuff with her .
  
• Raced motorcycles in the past...got into tracking cars...bought a e30 M3 race car...went racing...and won...often. The race car has now sat dormant for about six years....due to divorce...

I want to simplify my new lifestyle and create more time for what makes me happy...GF time and enjoying the free time I have. Racing is a full time commitment and I no longer have the time or desire to dedicate the time it requires (See GF above). The other aspect is I'm fairly intelligent and don't see the ROI to spend thousands to get a $5 trophy. Maybe going back to basics is what I need to do...DEs and enjoying the people/friends I've met along the way....and enjoying the company of others who enjoy similar things...

So, I'm thinking about cleaning house...

Options:

1. Install 3.0 ltr motor into '77 widebody and finish restoration. Sell roller '75.
2. Get '75 running again. Sell '77 and just play with the '75.
3. Sell both as is and go play with the race car again and meet new friends at DEs...

Terrible pictures below.

[Damon in STL]

The donor....

[dwelle]

another option:

sell the '75 as is and use those dollars to build a proper motor for the '77 and finish that car.

with the right motor, that car could fly. it could easily be built to be good on both the street and DE's and the like.

plus, you just have just one car. simplify...

[matt930s]

The wide body is a blank canvas....already looking sweet....
Reminds me of Jeffs car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfYqLk7EewU

MattR

[Matt Monson]

Do you need to worry about smog? Here in Colorado I would build the 75 because exempt. If no smog concerns build that gorgeous 77.

[JacobS911]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Do you need to worry about smog? Here in Colorado I would build the 75 because exempt. If no smog concerns build that gorgeous 77.

Good call on smog! Hopefully he doesn't have that issue like we do here in CO and can build the 77. Also, the 75 should be an easy sell as guys that have to deal with smog would be after it.

Build the 77 as it already looks awesome!

[SalParadise]

Sell it all - you're over it, and welcome your new life with some money to spare.

Seriously, I'd let it go. It would be sweet to start over...

I believe you answered your own question anyway..."I want to simplify my new lifestyle and create more time for what makes me happy."

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by JacobS911

Good call on smog! Hopefully he doesn't have that issue like we do here in CO and can build the 77. Also, the 75 should be an easy sell as guys that have to deal with smog would be after it.

Build the 77 as it already looks awesome!

My thinking as well. Someone in CA or a state like ours that mimics CA smog would jump on that chassis with no engine. You could do anything with it.

[manbridge 74]

Cars and material nonsense won't ever make a person truly happy!!

[1979-930]

The both look like hours upon hours in the garage. I don't think you have time for either project. You have a girlfriend you lucky bastage. Sell it all and enjoy working on her.


Sent from my iPhone while Driving

[Matt Monson]

Why won't selling the racecar and 75 cover finishing the 77? I don't know about anyone else but I don't think he's ready to sell everything. So checkbook it and consolidate down to one car. It's like Jeff said sort of. It's just money (material nonsense) and there's enough there to work with to create one car to make you happy.

[drauz]

sell it all. after all is clear, patiently reflect on how you got to the present & where you want to be.
{for myself, it's now a question of driving pleasure vs vision / project mgmt. that's how I ended up w/ five cars (+ fractions)... 3 drivers / 2 projects... everyone has their own scale, balance (ha!) & destination.} & of course, include the gf in the process... you may be very fortunate.

[Damon in STL]

All,

Thanks for the input. Just putting my thoughts to words and then reflecting over the reply's I think the decision comes down to evaluating three things:

• Time - Where and on what do I want to spend my time?
• Money - With what I currently have, I can sell one car and pay for the remaining build of the other. So, no large additional funds are required.
• Fun - I use to really enjoy spending time in the garage. But, I really enjoy the "Driving" side more. Working on projects is more of a singular activity for me. I've found someone who likes cars....but, not necessarily working on them.

Having raced both motorcycles and cars and then stepping back from the sport for a few years my appreciation for safety has greatly increased. If I get back into driving on track I want to be fully protected and willing to write-off the car I'm driving if something were to happen. I don't know if either 911 would be a good candidate for this.

The other thing to mention is both my kids and my GF's kids are now college and late high school aged. Planning for more activities with them is high on the priority list on the "Fun" side. We already have an RV and Jet ski between us....maybe a boat?

If I were to sell one or both....what do you guys think they are worth? I know more info needs to be provided....Ballpark figures?

[SalParadise]

Like I said, time is short. Sell everything.

Buy a Miata for racing. Take some of the money and go somewhere you've never been (with your kids). I'm not talking Disney or Yosemite - I'm talking Europe, Asia (China), or India.

Take the rest of the money and hold it. Maybe buy a Cayman or Porsche 996 Carrera 4.

I go through stages. I was into bikes, got out, got in, now getting out. I have no time. I would rather be out there experiencing than turning a wrench.

I'd sell the '75 with motor for $17K-$19K and the other project for the same. Maybe you'd get $40K for both. You'd be a happy man.

[Matt Monson]

There is only one engine. Right? Two gearboxes?

I'd offer the 75 for $12k. I'd offer the 77 for $18k. I'd offer the engine for $8k. $2k discount for an engine and chassis package. Gearboxes stay worth their respective cars.

[Damon in STL]

....sorry I didn't answer a couple of questions.

Yes, no smog concerns here in St. Louis.

And, one engine and two trans.

Also have sport seats, new front glass, rear glass new gasket, and new headliner (and other misc new parts).

[Damon in STL]

[nathanbs]

Pm sent as I cant find your email

[Matt Monson]

Your pictures aren't showing up here or in the FS thread.

[cool5]

I'll take the 1975 without the engine, assuming that's the road you want to go down.

Matt Cooley
831-419-7895
sepacframing@yahoo.com