Porsche Repair: 1976 - 1977 Porsche, porsche targa, porsche specialist

Question
I'm thinking of buying a 1976 - 77 Porsche Targa which had a new motor put in two years ago. It has new brakes and front rotors, timing chaings have been replaced and upgraded, wiring has been replaced, battery and tires are near new, body has been completely re-done w/ new paint, interior re-upholstered. I'm told the oil changes last 2 - 3 times longer than most cars and run about $250. Mileage runs in the 20's. I would be driving it somewhat regularly, but could drive it as a second car. The owner wants $15,000 but will take less. He has no problem having it checked out by a mechanic. Is this a good deal? What should I watch out for? (I realize this is your opinion only and I'll take responsibility for my own actions -- I hate being a grown up.) Anyway, what can you tell me?

Answer
Hi Mel,

Yep, growing up is hard to do...somebody said that, right?

Based on your description, I believe the good things you're describing are also the things that make me worry the most.  Your description makes it sound like the car was completely, or at least significantly, re-built.  New motor, interior and paint.  There's not much else.

So what was the condition of the car before all this took place?  Do you know?  Have you seen before and after pictures?  How does the price of this car compare to a completely original car with only maintenance, but not rebuilding going on?

And then I re-read that the wiring was replaced.  Just what kind of car, do you imagine, has its wiring replaced?  What would lead an owner to do that?

Now...if you're telling me this is a "restored" beauty and complete receipts by THE most reputable Porsche specialist shop are available for review, then you may have something special.   

Any 911 built after 1976 is going to be better than the average 911 built before.  This was the year Porsche changed their building prtactices and significantly upgraded the anti-rust factors...making the cars much, much more likely to outlive their predecessors.  But, rust is still the number 1 issue you have to be concerned with.  A huge consideration is what part of the country this car lived in.  Unfortunately, with that new paint job, it'll be hard to tell what, if anything, has been covered up.

Unless you absolutely HAVE to have a 1976, here's another consideration:
The 911 is a great car.  Almost without exception, it is fair to say that the 77 was better than the 76 and the '80 was better than them both, etc.  In other words, when it comes to 911's, it is wise to buy the newest model year you can with the budget you have.

If you go forward with this, I wouild definitely take the fellow up on his offer about the mechanic.  You would be wise to get answers to all my questions above...keep asking questions until you can comfortably describe the history and day-to-day condition of this car from when it came into the country.  Not only would I want an excellent Porsche mechanic to inspect it, I would also take it to a professional auto restorer or at least the best body shop in town and have them inspect it too.  You may invest 300-400 dollars for their consultations...or pre-purchase evaluations, but that would be great for your piece of mind.

If I had your money and was looking for a car to drive regularly, I would be searching for the newest 911 I could find that would be described like this:

Car being sold by original owner.  Garaged over its lifetime.  Regular maintenace performed since new by local Porsche specialist shop and records are available.  Original in every respect.  Daily driver, never broken down, never towed.  Car has been pampered, a creampuff, but paint and interior show some signs of its age. (If I'm going to drive it I'm going to have to expect rock chips and parking lot dings, or I could look for a fresh paint job, but drive it less...that's the trade-off).

So...Mel...waaay more information than you wanted...sorry.  Investing in Porsches is one of my favorite topics.  

Go buy the thing and have some fun with it, after you uncover the truth about the car.  No...I don't expect a shady deal...but there are many questions to ask first.

Dave