Looking at a 72' 911S and need advice

Hello,

I'm currently looking at a 72 911S Targa, yellow with black interior. The car was repainted in the original color about 10 years ago. It only has 35K miles but has had an engine/tranny rebuild about 10 years ago at 33K miles. Hmm...

Carfax supports the mileage and it has a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche. I have only seen it in photos but will check it out in person this weekend. I know the dealer selling it, as I have bought from them in the past.

Asking price is in the upper 30K range. Do this seem reasonable? Anything specific that I should look for?

Thanks in advance.

JP

1987 Carrera Targa - 17k miles

The low milage will command a huge premium. If the car checks out well, i.e., no serious colllision damage or rust problems, you may have a winner. But, for that kind of money, I'd want to know what I was buying.

Certainly the rebuild at 33,000 total miles is suspicious, but could very well be legitimate if the owner missed a shift and bent the valves. Still, how much of a rebuild and by whom? Reciepts are best.

Zeke,

The dealer has all the rebuild reciepts, which I'll check out this weekend. According to him, the reciepts list crank bearings, which seems a bit of overkill for just a missed shift. Maybe somebody put gas in the oil fill?

Thanks.

JP

I'm wondering how you got a Carfax since their records do not go back this far. Last time I checked - they would only accept a 13 digit VIN - a 72 911 VIN won't even input to their system. Was this documentation supplied by the seller?

Agree with Zeke - the only way to really verify mileage is with chronological receipts - listing dates and mileage. If not verifiable - you have to assume 35K is not the case and take it into account regarding your offer.

Look out for the usual... Rust, accidents, did I mention rust? Sounds like this car has sat unused for long periods, which may raise concerns.

It's a MUST to have a good PPI done at this price - ask for shop references in your area, here or on Pelican board. Give them a refundable deposit to hold the car - with a purchase agreement contingent upon a successful PPI.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rzepko6194

Carfax supports the mileage and it has a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche.

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Huh? Carfax would have no information on 1972 model-year cars. I'm curious what kind of carfax info you're looking at. If the dealer is representing that he has carfax info on the mileage I would be very suspicious of the dealer. The only thing that verifies mileage on these cars is documentation such as service or inspection records. Good luck.

JCR,

You're correct about the Carfax not working on a VIN this early. I confused this car with another later one that I was looking at. All I know right now is that there is evidence of 33K miles in 1992, when the rebuild was performed. I believe there is more documentation prior to this period but I need to check further. (gotta take better notes when i speak to the sellers!)

I'll definetly get a PPI done on this one.

Thanks.

JP

Every early 911 with super low mileage had some period when it sat around collecting dust. The rebuild might have been done after it sat.

The price seems reasonable for what other quality early cars are going for but because its at a dealer, there's always room for negotiation.

Be sure you drive the car long enough to get the oil temp up so you can safely rev it to feel the engine pulling to the redline.

Also, find out when the brakes, fuel system and shocks were last overhauled/replaced. Because if the previous owner didn't do those things, you will have to.

Good luck!

Evidence of 33k miles in '92, or evidence that the odometer read 33k miles in '92?!?

133k miles at that time would have read 33,000 on the odometer, and would probably have been recorded as such!

I just spoke with the dealer and got a bit more info. The engine work was done by T.A.G Motorwerks in Gaithersburg, MD. Has anybody heard of them? I can even view the actual receipts on thier website, by entering the last 6 digits of the VIN. Pretty Kewl!! The receipts are from 1991 until 1995.

The engine had main bearings, rod bearings and rings done at 33k miles in 1993. Two cylinder heads were sent out for machine work but there was no mention of replacement valves/springs/guides. The injection pump was sent out for rebuilding and the injectors were also replaced. No reason on the ticket for the rebuild but a leakdown by the same shop in 1991 (at 32K miles) showed the following: CYLINDER 1-10%, CYLINDER 2-10%, CYLINDER 3-10%, CYLINDER 4-22%, CYLINDER 5-8%, CYLINDER 6-10%. The tranny was also rebuilt at this time for only $500 (no details). Couldn't be much of a rebuild. Maybe just a reseal. Total cost for both $5227.

The paintwork was done for $6700 in 1993 by the same shop. There are allegedly photos of all this work, which are being gathered by the dealer now.

No mention of shock (Koni's) replacement or any brake work.

This owner sold the car to the current dealer in 2000. The dealer then sold it to the current owners, who only put 1500 miles on it in the past 4 years. There are a few receipts from them but they just mention things like oil changes.

Any thoughts, comments?

Thanks.

JP

Rebuild and repaint at '33K' does sound suspicious. I'd want to have a couple of different forms of verification on that.