So, the final part of the story for now takes us to ownership.
So the car was what I expected from an engine perspective, but tired everywhere and worse than I was hoping. So, with that in mind the seller and I had a further discussion and I asked if he would throw in a set of coilovers that he had already bought for it to offset the additional work. He agreed, and these became mine included in the originally agreed price....
They are Silvers v2, similar to a KW v2, so fast road and hopefully not to hard with almost infinite adjustment and adjustable from the base as well as the spring perch, so should be able to dial in an RS-ish ride hide easily....
So, there we are. I haven't seen the car yet (as it turns out the third Porsche I have bought without even seeing after the two Boxsters I bought to combine to the race car) so we will see if it turns out to be wise or foolish.
For the money, I think I have done very well. It is straight and corrosion free, so everything else bolts on and can be fixed.
I have a weekend booked in to drop the engine and strip down in a few weeks, so we will see exactly what we have. I know it will need head studs etc, but don't yet know if the heads are fresh enough to re-use or need doing again. Obviously the case needs work, but really the cost of all this will dictate what happens next;
1. Run it as it is for the summer, and enjoy it
2. Get it back with a fresh engine, and then do brakes, steering, suspension, brakes etc all in one go and enjoy
I have insured it for business use and 5k miles pa, so when I am going to those posh offices or dropping the girls somewhere I can use it - and fully intend to buy more petrol than diesel this summer!
The medium term plan, and I mean by next year, is to have it completed in a whatever final guise I decide to take;
1. Keep the GT3 orange, retrim the interior to complement
2. Go back to Midnight Blue - if I decide this based on what I think when I see it, I may get the engine bay sprayed and the engine fan etc whilst the engine is out in a few weeks, to save a full strip later
3. Do a complete colour change and recreate the cars that first got me interested - Rubystone, Maritime etc. A nice problem to have
Either way, it will be an RS tribute in a very loose sense. Make it look like an RS in passing, ride height, possible brake cooling vents, rear bumper, exhaust etc but maintain driveability so my wife can still drive it and we can all go out in it - meaning 4 seats, belts, no cage. It will never be convincing at all, just somewhere between a C2 and an RS with totally rebuilt mechanicals.
Oh, and thanks for the supportive PMs and advice, much appreciated.
Next update in a few weeks when we drop the motor and split the case!!
Cheers
Wayne