New member: views on 1980 911sc Targa?

[V8hotwire]

Hi all,

Just registered, as I'm looking to buy a classic 911. I have owned classics for 10 years, so appreciate reliability issues on old cars, however I know absolutely nothing about Porsches...other than I've always wanted either a 1972 911 or 1980'ish 911, for their superb style.

My question: I have found a lovely 1980 911 sc targa. The owner is a lovely guy, genuine enthusiast, and the car is in good condition for it's age. However, I have no idea what to look out for. He has been kind enough to point various things out, but would you all mind letting me know things to check on this model please,
Any common weaknesses?
Is the model a particularly good or bad 'era' ?
Etc

Thanks in advance.

Jim

[Nige]

Rust, whether the seller is a nice guy or not don't take his word for it and make sure there isn't any rust and on Targa there is a higher chance of it have rust.


Did I mention rust?

Do some searches here for rust and if it's later impact bumper car join http://www.impactbumpers.com and search for rust there too. Learn what you can which will help you filter the obvious good from the bad and if in any doubt about your rust spotting abilities have a prospective purchases PPI'd by someone like Nick Moss on here http://www.early911.co.uk

BTW welcome and I hope you find the 911 you're looking for

Do you have any photos or a link to the car your are looking at?

[V8hotwire]

Thanks Nige. I will post a pic when I can work out how to.

Incredibly, rust seems to mostly missing from this car, even in the boot and under carpets. I am viewing the car again this weekend, so will spend even more time on that.



Jim

[Nige]

They rust from the inside out, any bubble around the door shut/B post or in the area above the jacking point should be viewed suspiciously. You really need to get up in the arches and have a good poke about.

Get yourself logged onto Impact Bumpers and check out the for sale section. What's your approx budget range?

[V8hotwire]

Thanks. It does have rust around the near side door shut, so great tip. I will look more closely there.

I had a little poke under the arches, and they seem clean.

But, great advice, I will look much closer on my next visit.

I've registered on impact bumpers, what a great site! Thanks for the tip.

Jim

[johnM]

Hi

Have a look on our restoration sections, it may give you an idea how cars can look quite good but be rotten once you get into them.

Kind Regards

[impmad2000]

As JohnM says, look in the restoration section.There's photo evidence of my Targa backdate. It shows clearly what lies beneath the "bubbles" on the surface. Mine is a '77 Galvanised shell too.
Tim

[Nige]

This was mine when I removed the outer sill covers, all that was showing was scab underneath the paint about the size of 10p. I was aware of this before I bought the car, it's a 1988 Carrera Coupe that had a cosseted life with 2 very nice owners .







Don't let that scare you though, they're great cars just don't pay for something rusty, but do expect some rust and budget for it.

[sdelan]

Hi Jim and welcome -

As noted - the outer sill covers can really mask a whole lot of problems on these cars and I guess most sellers wouldn't want you to remove these so that you can have a really good look at this area.

It might also be useful to be able to get the car up in the air to have a good poke around underneath.

Good luck with the purchase - and if you don't mind me saying - don't rush into it - take your time, find out as much as you can - there are a fair few cars of this generation to choose from.

regards
Sean

[Ian 2.2S]

Hi Jim and welcome.
Did anybody mention rust
Like Nige says, they rust from the inside out, so a few minor bubbles on the surface can mean substantial nastiness underneath. Sure, the IB cars were better protected the the early ones, but 30+ years on there will be some issues, and Targas are more vulnerable, firstly from actually letting water in, but the shells flex slightly more which can allow the tinworm in. Good luck, and don't be too disheartened by our comments, we just don't want you to end up with a basket case. Just make sure you remove the rose tinted specs (pretty difficult with a 911 though )

Cheers
Ian

[chris hak]

Thanks. It does have rust around the near side door shut, so great tip. I will look more closely there.


I've registered on impact bumpers, what a great site! Thanks for the tip.

Jim

If you can see rust around the door shut - I suspect that's the tip of the iceberg and the "B" pillar / kidney bowl / sill will need extensive work. However, this is bread and butter to the likes of Nick Moss and others, so isn't the end of the world. Still not cheap though, but if the purchase price is adjusted to compensate, it's better than buying something that looks "immaculate..." but is hiding a hundred sins!

Where are you located? Someone on here or Impact Bumpers will be more than willing to have a look if local as a pre-pre-purchase inspection.

Good luck - buy wisely and you will LOVE the car.

By the way, did anyone mention rust?

[Bootsy]

Welcome to the forum Jim, good fortune finding a car and remember....


















look out for rust!

[carlbon71]

Is it a Targa that you are specifically looking for?
Personally I prefer the look of the coupe, but have had a couple of Targas.
With the roof on there's quite a bit more wind noise than the coupe until you can get the roof off in the sun, then it all makes sense!
1980 SC would be 188bhp, from 1981 they went up to 204.

[V8hotwire]

This is great stuff, thanks chaps, really appreciate it.

Here is the car (don't gerzump me )

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/cla ... rsche-911/

I hope to do a 2nd viewing next week.

I live in Benfleet, Essex. Anyone want to come with me to view it?

Jim

[72911E]

AVOID - unless u dont mind an accident damage car?

The panel gaps from the front tell the story......