911e 1969

[nathanbs]

Definitely worth it. Motor alone is $6-10k minimum in parts

[1979-930]

It's worth the time and money.
But do you have the ability and an extra $60,000.00 to put into it?
A 10 year project is rarely possible. People burn out and get tired of looking at a project around year 5. You need to commit to a shorter timeline and large budget.

[Evans, Marv]

I have a '69 that was a project from the start. I'm hoping to get it on the road around the end of the year. It's been a years long project because I retired twelve years ago and had lots of things to do since. Also I found out you get drawn into lots of mods you don't anticipate. (One example of the many mods I made was replacing the bullet fuses with boxes that use the spade type fuses. There are two boxes, each costing $120 and the job is best done with the fuel tank out - which you will probably end up doing. Each thing you do like that - and you will do them - takes a huge amount of time. This will lead you into a whole bunch of wiring mods and fixes.) As I say this is only one example of many, so a ten year horizon is probably sane thinking. One other thing you get drawn into is acquiring parts, new or used. You will find a part and buy it. Then you will find another that seems better, better condition, etc. and buy that and maybe others. In the end or before you will have to resell the ones you don't use. Also used parts have gone up in value and will probably end up continuing to increase. I completely disassembled my car and rebuilt it. In the end I'm thinking I will only be driving it on occasion, because these cars are becoming so seldom seen and available so I'm left wondering if it was a long term, fun, expensive project I will end up selling because I will be afraid to drive it. There seem to be so many 911E's around (at least here on PP), it seems like every other person has one. My advice on this car is to negotiate the price way down. You are looking at really big bucks going forward not even counting your man hours involved. As far as I'm concerned, if it were me, I'd look for a running car I could get & figure I'd have to pay the difference in cost. Here are a couple of pics of mine.

[EdDose]

Well that was constructive Bonus. Thanks.
Marv, Great job and some good advice.

I have the money and I have the patience and OCD and perfectionist attitude. It is a very BIG project and most people are right to think I should just buy it and sell it off in parts. But that's not why I want to do this. I want to bring something back to life....have something to do instead of watching TV or fkng around on the computer. I have most of the knowledge and what I don't have two of my brothers would or get help.

And if I get tired of screwing with it I would just sell it for what I have in it. No loss. They are not going down in price any time soon. So I don't think the ROI is a risk.

[Evans, Marv]

You have good reasons for starting a project, and you have chosen a very BIG project like you say. I'm kind of like you in that once I get started on something, I hang with it even if it gets to the point I really should let it go. I bought this car after it had sat in a guy's driveway for quite some time with black plastic sheet covering it. The guy was just letting it rot, & I was lucky to get it before it had gone too far, though I did replace the front fenders and pan.. I'm determined to get it on the road to enjoy it & am really looking forward to it. That said, I can say the journey has been a long & fun one. Additionally it's been one I've learned a lot from.

[Mehoff]

Originally Posted by EdDose

And if I get tired of screwing with it I would just sell it for what I have in it. No loss. They are not going down in price any time soon. So I don't think the ROI is a risk.

I think this is what the guys here are trying to make clear. It's a good buy at the current level for someone looking to restore it with their own labor. You won't find another #'s matching E like this at this level (probably).

Buuuuut.....when all is said and done, if you do a great drivers quality renovation you will be just in the money. If you partially finish it and try to dump the project you'll be buried in in. Deep loss.

So if you're committed, snap it up for sure. If you're on the fence or see potential life changes coming, best to pass it on.

[EdDose]

All very good advice. I decided to turn down the opportunity due to the fact that the motor didn't turn. I can do all the body work and welding and even do my own interior work (I install custom Lear Jet interiors). But the motor work was out of my reach and I didn't think the car was worth the $13,500 with a frozen motor. He would not budge on price. Had he gone down to under $10k, I would have most likely taken him up on it. I did however sell it for him to a gentleman in VA.

[kghjr]

Consider yourself lucky. Chances are great that you dodged a bullet. There's a Porsche out there with your name on it...just got to find it.

[EdDose]

I do believe you are right. And I know there is one out there waiting for me.

[Raceboy]

At 13500 a '69 E in irish Green? Can't go wrong with that.

Too bad you didn't feel comfortable with engine issues.

[SalParadise]

The extra $3500 probably would have been worth it, because $3500 would really be just a drop in the bucket compared to the rest.

For example, when I bought my car, I had no idea it would cost thousands to repair a fuel system that had sat for 20 years. Gas tank, injectors, WUR, distributor, gas lines, accumulator, etc, etc added up to $3500 and I am doing it all myself.

There are others out there for sure. But for $13.5K, it's hard to find anything nowadays, but that may change.

[HenrikL]

Originally Posted by 1979-930

A 10 year project is rarely possible. People burn out and get tired of looking at a project around year 5. You need to commit to a shorter timeline and large budget.

This should every car enthusiast print and hang on their garage wall. A lot happened in my project the first 5 years. After that nothing has happened.

[Nick Triesch]

In the 1950's, parents would sometimes use a military academy.