1969 911E restoration costs

[mrsimpson]

I've a 1969 911E RHD Sporto, original colour special order Ultra Blue, Red leather interior, with an Allard Golde ragtop roof. I bought the car almost 10 years ago as a rolling shell and parts, and I've been collecting parts since. Doors, wings, wheels, engine parts. The car came with its original crankshaft, and heads, and gearbox but the engine case and rest of the engine was missing due to an engine failure (I suspect).

The cars needs a full restoration, it has been neglected, the poor old thing - not by me I might add!

Anyway I've been away from the early 911 scene for a few years, and looking today I see dealers asking for 100k for 911E's! They were around 40k when I was around last.

So have restoration costs increased too? What are we looking at for a full restoration and engine rebuild? 30,40,50k?

I'm trying to decide if it's worth restoring, holding or selling as is...

Thanks

Darren

[revo]

Million dollar question that.
I sorted out a light restoration on mine last year bearing in mind it was an on the road car with full mot and no rust what so ever.
Re paint, re trim, and engine tidy still cost 20k even getting a lot of matey rates.
Obviously if you can take your time and do a lot of work yourself you can save bundles.
This post is really of no help at all but there really is no real answer.

[Ralph]

Seeing as you purchased your car so long ago and probably paid little for it compared to todays prices it is definitely worth restoring if that's what you want to do and you have the funds.

But I guess that you'll get a few PM's as a result of this thread asking if you want to sell.

[stretch]

Unless you have at least 50k, i wouldn't even start it. Depending on your skill levels and whom you use to carryout works, consider adding another 10-20k.

[murph2309]

I think Stretch is pretty much spot on there.... If you're going to get rid of all the rot, re-paint, refirb everything else and do the engine.

Its scary how quickly it all catches up with you. But worth it when it's done

R

[Darren65]

I think Stretch is pretty much spot on there....

Me too.

[mrsimpson]

70k for a restoration ey, that is expensive!

[stretch]

Oh Yes. An average rusty shell will require 400 hours of metalwork. £40 per hour. Add some panels and you are over 20k without a drop of paint in sight.

[mrsimpson]

Gulp...

[majordad]

Do it once and do it right. I've owned my 1972 2.4 S for 27yrs now. Raced, rallied and drove it on the road. Restored twice, first time circa 1992/3 was not a success, second time by 9M 2012-2014 was not cheap but I have a new old car that has a treated body that will outlive me by ages. If you don't do it right then when the time comes to sell the new owner will factor in the work you did wrong and that you did not do.

[squirdan]

Oh Yes. An average rusty shell will require 400 hours of metalwork. £40 per hour. Add some panels and you are over 20k without a drop of paint in sight.

£40ph is at the low end and is prob ex vat

panels as Dave says and depends obviously how many and whether Porsche, Dansk or elsewhere

paint will be £10k all in incl pre paint prep

seals and fiddly bits you never thought of = loads

and then when its all shiny, perfect, rust free and painted can be another massive bill for re-assembly!

its all worth it in the end though

don't be put off a rolling rest is eminently do-able. as is a Cayman GTS for the same parts and labour outlay

[911hillclimber]

Isn't this question one of having the money to invest?

£50K to do it at minimum.

You spend that and you could then sell for a profit, but if you want the car you have to be able to put that cash into it and then sell the car a bit grubby but with pro names attached to the car.

Not everyone has that resource available as a lump sum or in stages.

If able, a decent DIY job can be done to have a sound car, repairs not to 'Barry levels', DIY paint flatted back to a decent shine etc and rebuild the engine yourself too, not that tricky.

That result will be cheaper and be worth less, no names attached and doubts in a buyer's mind.

These cars are now all about spending to achieve what you want, highly promoted by all and sundry to high values.

[hot66]

Graham is right ..... 10 years ago we would be laughing and taking the p155 if someone came on Ddk saying they were going to throw £70k at resto


There are always different ways of doing things , from home resto to cheque book resto

It all comes down to what you want and what you enjoy.

[Lightweight_911]

Do you have a particular sentimental attachment to this car ?

Are you intending to keep it indefinitely (or for many years at least) ?

Bearing in mind that the original crankcases (& hence engine no) are no longer with the car, would you still be intending to return it to original specification ?

Is RHD important to you ?

Is the restoration process part of the enjoyment or is it merely a necessary evil in the quest to get the car you've always wanted ?

How much work would you be willing/confident to do yourself (eg stripping down, reasssembly, overhauling brakes & suspension, etc) ?

As Graham & James said, there are a number of ways of approaching the car's restoration - if you're not able to do much/any of the work yourself & have to resort to paying for a professional restoration using one (or several) of the well-known Porsche 'names' then you may never recoup the cost of the work (at least not for many years) when you eventually come to sell it.

However, there are plenty of capable people/companies outside of those whose names regularly appear in the glossy magazines (some of whom actually do the work for those 'big names') which won't leave your wallet bleeding ...

[BILLY BEAN]

If the car is a 1969 Model Year, as opposed to a late 1969 build and therefore 1970 MY, and you want to return it to factory specification you need to be aware that many 1969 feature were for the 1969 MY only and are therefore very difficult to get hold. Think even more money!
Regards,
Kirk