Old Porsche found in barn....

[al76slc]

Not really .... but not too far from truth.

My wife inherited an 86 911 convertible. Gray market, customized by Ruf in Germany, federalized, 2600 miles (no typo). Not driven since 96. It's been covered and garaged, but NOT put away with the idea that it was going to be in permanent storage.

We'd like to sell it, but don't know where to begin. I don't have the knowledge and time to take it apart and restore it myself, and I'm not interested in keeping it as a toy.

Do we pay the money to bring it back to life, or sell it as is? It was running well when it was parked.

Any ideas about value?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas to all.

[Dubyagee]

Any pics? Nice car.

[al76slc]

Good point. Taken at the Ruf factory in 85. Ruf lowered it, and added the "turbo look," but it is not turbo.

Please don't tell me that it should have been taken care of properly 10 years ago.

As Mickey Mantle said, "if I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself."

[Dubyagee]

Toss some fresh fluids and a battery at her and see what she does.

[al76slc]

They also added the running boards seen in the side view. Kind of an interesting mod.

I suppose if you need to step up on a running board to get into a lowered Porsche. Sort of like wheels on a fish, but they actually look nice.

[engatwork]

Where is the car located?

[al76slc]

Westchester, NY. (30 mi north of NYC)

[TheDon]

RUF tuned... ooooo.. is the engine tuned by RUF or is it just a body kit?

[al76slc]

Ruf mods:
running boards
lower suspension
dual exhaust
gauges (oil temp & speedo)
some leather accessories (tonneau, top cover, steering wheel, door pockets)

Unfortunately, no tuning that I can see.

[TheDon]

well.. its still a 911.. i like the older body style.. if it was me i would keep it

[Wes Bender]

A few comments:

Extended storage is a form of abuse. There are seals, etc that have dried and shrunk. You can't just put fluids in, charge the battery and go. Doing that could increase the restoration costs considerably.

Restoring that car to concours level will cost more than the car will be worth when finished. If you want to restore it, do so because you love the car, not to make a profit.

Porsche engines are not simple devices that the average mechanic can take apart and rebuild. Most of us who own older Porsches have engine "gurus" that we use for major work who understand the intricacies of the beasts.

There are a ton of poorly restored cars for sale. Knowledgeable buyers usually walk away from botched amateur restorations. Best to either have it done right or else do it yourself and keep the car.

Unless you really want to keep the car and restore it yourself, I would clean it up as much as possible, take a ton of pics, tell the true story of its condition and advertise it for sale online.

That is a pretty car. Good luck with it.

Wes

[MJM]

Hello,

Can you tell if any obvious damage has been done by mice, ect? Could you give a rough idea of the conditions it was stored in? Anything stain or damage the paint while it was sitting?

I have interest in the car as well as a friend of mine who restores these cars. If you could take some pictures of the car as it sits now it would really help put a ballpark on what you could expect to get for the car.

Thanks,
Matthew

[t walgamuth]

perhaps there is something unique about 911s that i am not aware of. i would respectfully ask mr bender why starting and running the car would increase restoration costs.

if there is some special reason with a 911, ok.

otherwise, i would change oil, filters, purge and bleed the brakes, and install a fresh battery. it would seem pretty likely it will run. to me a running car is always better than a non running car. a potential buyer can drive it and evaluate all major mechanical systems. a non running car would be worth about half as much i would think.

but no more than that. just cleaning up. if you get into restoration things you will not be able to come out.

nice looking car. it will sell. imho.

tom w

[vwbuge]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

perhaps there is something unique about 911s that i am not aware of. i would respectfully ask mr bender why starting and running the car would increase restoration costs.

if there is some special reason with a 911, ok.

otherwise, i would change oil, filters, purge and bleed the brakes, and install a fresh battery. it would seem pretty likely it will run. to me a running car is always better than a non running car. a potential buyer can drive it and evaluate all major mechanical systems. a non running car would be worth about half as much i would think.

but no more than that. just cleaning up. if you get into restoration things you will not be able to come out.

nice looking car. it will sell. imho.

tom w

Definately get it running again. It will cost you little money and a little time and will be worth it in the end. How would you like to be the potential buyer and learn the car does not run? That is always a big detraction on selling cost.

I have a little experience with the 911. If I were close I would work on it for you out of sheer pleasure.

BTW, you may have a stuck clutch disc.

[t walgamuth]

if it has not been federalized (it seems to have international plates) it might pay to sell it overseas.

this might be accomplished by simply putting it on the internet.

tom w