924Board.org

[Defender405]

So, I wanted a Porsche and I looked at a whole bunch of them before I bough this very cherry 1979 NA from the original owner back in November. While I was shopping around I looked at this silver 1977 924 that was kind of beat and I decided was very overpriced. At the time I took a pass on the silver car, but since I had communicated with the guy he had my e-mail. He recently got back with me and wants to deal on the 1977. The car isn't a total disaster but it isn't very cherry either, it runs but none of the electrics work, no real rust but lots of dents in the body, interior looks like it is 38 years old, etc.. I think I can buy it around $900USB or so, is that a good price for what is essentially a needs restored or parts car? Will many of the 1977 parts work on my 1979 if I decide to part it out? I also noticed that it doesn't have a sunroof, is that rare in this year of car? I have always had Brit cars and this is my first Porsche, it doesn't scare me but I don't know enough. Thanks for any help and/or advice.
_________________
Its only money, you can always get more.

1979 924 N/A
1975 MGB
1991 Infiniti M30
1987 300ZX Turbo

[jason c]

Most of the parts are interchangeable but what is good? Most of the consumables are probably worn out.
The sunroof delete is desirable, I'd be interested in it if you part the car.

[emoore924]

Sunroof delete is rarer than the sunroof cars. That being said, it is not unobtanium.

Not having seen it, no pics, no other info, it really sounds like a parts car to me, especially with the dents in the body. That kind of puts it out of the cost effective "restoration project" range, as far as I'm concerned.

The better parts cars tend to sell in the $500-800 range. The floor is the scrap value.

[jason c]

[nickthompson]

The 79 had a snailshell tranny. So the only thing that would really be the same would be body and interior parts.

[Defender405]

The interior on my 79 is damned near perfect, the dash still looks new even, so those parts wouldn't be much good to me. When I say dents I'm not talking big bashed in dents as much as lots of parking lot type dents. The thing looks like it was parked at a mall for 5 years, that type of dents. The electrical stuff worries me more, on Brit cars it takes forever to fix that type of stuff but doesn't cost all that much. It seems that Porsche electrics could get kind of stupid expensive if I have to start changing them. I thought that the sunroof delete was rare-ish and I kind of want to save the little car but not if it's going to be a super money pit. I will snap some photos of the car, it is stored where I can get at it. What is the best way you guys have found to post photos here? I'm not a computer guru and posting photos was mocking me last night.
_________________
Its only money, you can always get more.

1979 924 N/A
1975 MGB
1991 Infiniti M30
1987 300ZX Turbo

[fiat22turbo]

Electrics are fairly cheap and easy to repair, mostly just dirty connections that need a good cleaning and covering with electrical jelly. Relays aren't very expensive as many are shared with VW's. CIS parts can get expensive, but many are DIY friendly to repair if you can manage to freshen a set of SU's or Webers.

As for the dents, without pics it's hard to say, but if suspect that it wouldn't be too bad to deal with if you're handy with hammer and dolly.

Here's an example of a 77 924 that's been resto-modified:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/interesting-924/98789/page1/

Unfortunately, the 77 U.S.-spec car had a low Hp motor coupled with a 4-speed, both are fixable, but you to decide if it is worth it to you to do so. The lack of sunroof and the lightweight nature of the early cars make them slightly better candidates for race cars.
_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Defender405]

That resto-mod car is pretty bad ass looking, I could do without the yellow but otherwise looks great. Is that really all that they usually go for in that kind of shape or is this way cheap? Seems to me a guy would have most of that $3400 in a quality paint/body job.
Good to know about the electrics being pretty simple and common with VW's. I haven't had to do anything to the 1979 yet and that knowledge will come in handy when I do. What else, beyond the normal belts/hoses/fluids, is typically bad on 924s that have sat for a long time.
I'm used to MGs, so going real fast isn't a priority for me. The 79 924 is way faster than the 75 MG, I can't imagine the 77 would be much slower.
_________________
Its only money, you can always get more.

1979 924 N/A
1975 MGB
1991 Infiniti M30
1987 300ZX Turbo

[Defender405]

Here is a link to photos of the silver 1977. The photos of the red one are my 1979. I still haven't figured out how to post the photos in the message, any tech gurus with advice there would be helpful to me.
https://porsche924andothercars.shutterfly.com/23#23
_________________
Its only money, you can always get more.

1979 924 N/A
1975 MGB
1991 Infiniti M30
1987 300ZX Turbo

[jason c]

Its been repainted (most have by now), who knows what's underneath. It looks better than I expected. It doesn't look ready for the scrapyard yet.

[Defender405]

It is actually somewhat nicer than I remembered it. The interior is pretty intact but the seats are a little ragged. The re-paint is a little sketchy but would probably work until I get the mechanical and electrical stuff tuned up. If they guy will take my offer I think I will pick it up. I can turn some wrenches on this one and learn instead of learning on the 1979.
_________________
Its only money, you can always get more.

1979 924 N/A
1975 MGB
1991 Infiniti M30
1987 300ZX Turbo