924Board.org

[Screaming Eskimo]

I took my 924 to a European specialty shop last week to have them go over it from bumper to bumper. I was expecting a long list of issues with the car along with, "These things really need to be done and only we can do them." I only paid $500 for the car and was expecting to shell that much out again just to make it roadworthy.

As expected the list of issues was lengthy, but much to my suprise, none of them were serious. The mechanic explained that there was nothing that wasn't pretty straight forward and couldn't be tackled with a proper manual. The most serious on the list included re-sealing the rear hatch glass and replacing the front brake pads. With an oil change and a lube, the bill was only $100, and this is from a shop notorious for big repair bills. The owner knows that I am a cop, so he either decided to be honest or is hoping I will crash and burn in a blaze of glory.

The only disappointing bit about the car is the 3 layers of paint covering the body. The car was originally dark green, was resprayed a copper colour and then resprayed again in white. The paint is pretty thick. It seems silly to spend thousands of dollars for paint on a $500 car, but we will see how it goes. My initial thought when buying the car was to drive it until my Sunbeam Alpine project is complete, but I am getting quite attached to the car, so I can see me keeping it. I like quirky cars and this is right up my alley.
_________________
Scott Duncan

1980 Porsche 924 NA
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Turbo
2005 Dodge Magnum AWD

[Khal]

A '66 with a turbo?!

That'd have to be a special conversion (factory or otherwise), wouldn't it?

I thought the BMW 2002 Turbo was considered the first mass-produced turbo car, starting in '74?

They used a Kuhnle, Kopp & Kausch turbocharger... KKK I always wondered what that stood for!

Great little car (the Beemer, that is -dunno anything about the Sunbeam). I've always liked them. I've actually got a perfect condition original sports steering wheel that they used Beautiful steering wheel, just the right size and thickness, IMHO. I bought it for my old '77 320i and kept it after I got rid of the car 'cause it's such a nice wheel. I got it for almost nothing... reckon it'd be worth something?

BTW, if the body's in good shape, it could be worth stripping it and repainting it the original colour. It'd certainly add to the value of the car and it sounds like the car's pretty decent to start with. How's the interior?
_________________
'80 924 Turbo

[Neil924]

That's seems like good news all around.

As for painting it, the cost of the car doesn't matter, if you are keeping the car long term, then it's worth while. I'm having mine painted next year, I'm having the best collision shop in town do it, they will go over the body with a fine tooth comb and fix any blemishes. I'm replacing all of the trim and seals around the windows including the rear hatch. The hatch will be re-glued to the frame this winter, the wheels will be reconditioned in the spring and the interior is being finished now.

I bought the car for $7,500 three years ago and I have spent $1,200 on parts and labor which included:
Water pump
belt
spark plugs
wires
dist cap
all of the oils in the car being flushed
front pads
front rotors
rear shoes
rear wheel cylinders
All bearings replaced
new wiring to the headlights, driving lights, fan, clock cluster, radio
MVI x3
hood release cable
New shifter bezel.
E-brake handle
Floor mats
shifter boot


Plus $200 for two steering wheels
$400 for to perfect front seats
$200 for new door panels and headliner
$200 for a great stereo system, installed

Long story short, if the car is in good shape and is going to be kept... why not spend a few bucks on making it look nice?

[Screaming Eskimo]

My Alpine Turbo is a conversion project with a Ford 2.3L 4cyl turbo motor. It will be rated around 250bhp by the time it is done, in a sub-2000lb car.

With my Porsche, at $500 it doesn't really owe me anything, so I don't mind putting some money into it. It is just that paintjobs can range from the $400 Maaco special to the $4000 custom job, and beyond. The paint for my Sunbeam is over $1000 a gallon and that is just for materials. The interior of the car is OK, could use a new carpet kit and headliner, but the dash is good and the door panels are good. Was it common for them to come with cloth seats or are mine replacements?
_________________
Scott Duncan

1980 Porsche 924 NA
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Turbo
2005 Dodge Magnum AWD

[Chrenan]

Scott,

It sounds like you bought the same car as me! 1980 NA with three layers of paint. Mine was originally Mocha Brown, then painted blue, then painted yellow.

Doing the body and repainting is likely years away for me. I decided pretty early to spend my money on mechanical things first, get the car running really well, and then do the body last. There is no rust to speak of as these cars were zinc dipped from 1980 on, so getting to the paint is not as urgent as it could be with some other cars.

The most rust you'll find on a 924 is in the batter tray and in the fuel tank!

Chrenan
_________________
1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan