924Board.org

[gml]

Hi everyone,

Happy to be here. I apologize because I'm sure this kind of post has been made before, but I am in dire need of some advice from fellow humans.

I am going to check out a 1976 924 this weekend.

I'm absolutely infatuated with it from the pictures but I've never owned a classic car and I only know how to do basic car maintenance. But: I've been doing nothing but research the past few days so I hope that shows I'm eager to learn.

The car has no title. But, it runs, drives, and shifts great (according to listing). Minimal rust from the photos. So what are some big things I should look out for? I have found lots of buyers guides but would love to hear other people's thoughts, particularly now in 2021. In particular given my low skill, what are some potential dealbreakers to watch out for?

Stepping back a bit, would you all recommend an early 924 for a first foray into classic Porsche? As I understand the later models and the 944s have better parts availability. Is it impractical to start off with an early 924?

Finally — should I be doing this at all? Would love a reality check as I don't have any classic car owners in my friends or family to confide in. What are some of your biggest headaches, and what keeps you going with classic car ownership? What thing/feeling makes it all possible, or worth it to you?

Here to learn. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[anthonimartini]

if you want to learn how to work on and drive old cars this is the best way to do it. ive owned tons of different old cars and these are by far my favorite. pretty cheap for parts, simple to work on and they actually drive really well! as far as problems to look out for. check the battery tray for rust or poorly repaired rust. they rust bad there and any pin holes will mean a wet floor. the 76 has points and condensor which is actually my preferance. learn how to adjust the points, set your timing and lube the distributor cam lobes with the proper bosch point grease. it will never leave you stranded!
if the car starts drives, shifts and all that then you have a great start. if you can i would pop the valve cover off and inspect the cam and lifters. they almost always have at least one lobe starting to die if not already dead. lifters are really expensive. also check that the rear hatch glass is not separating at the upper corners. it is common for the sealant to degrade and the glass just starts coming off the frame in those areas. not a easy fix.

most parts are extremely easy to get for these cars with some exceptions, pistons are impossible to get oversized. lifters are about 110 bucks each. rod bolts are gone. early fuel sending units are gone.

oh one more thing, the heat in these cars sucks. nothing can be done about it other than installing a webasto heater in the spare tire well.
_________________
saving a 1977 martini ... please help! (done)
87 924S GF's Daily
77 924 Safari (931 swap) daily
79 MochaSchwartz work in progress
Instagram @anthoni.jpeg
formerly known as turbellion, lost password.

[Cédric]

76 cars are very special, my friend has one, and if if you look closely almost every part on the car differs from the later cars, fuel systems, sheet steel, electrics etc including some bigger stuff like a different rear suspension. It could just be good to know.

Buy a running and driving car is the key, and if the interior is.half good it's a big bonus, since nice interior parts are hard to come by.

When i was 18 and was still in school i bought a 924 as my first car, it was great fun and can be run on a very reasonable budget. That included track days aswell
_________________
1980 924 Turbo

[gml]

Thanks very much for the great advice! I'll make sure to check the battery tray and see if I can check the cam and lifters. Will check the rear hatch for sure. Unfortunately the interior looks mediocre, seats have some rips, and the center console ashtray is broken off. I'm sure the dash is cracked. So that will be a project but I can take my time on that stuff, and it will be a point for negotiation.

I get the feeling that the mentality is that there's no dealbreakers! Especially if it runs and drives.

[gml]

Do you guys see any big red flags from these pictures?

Engine



Wiring looks a little iffy?

[Fifty50Plus]

Check the process to obtain a title so that you can register it as yours. Otherwise it's a track car or parts. Everything else is fixable.
_________________
1979 924 NA race car
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1982 924 Turbo almost a PoS
1981 924 Turbo a real PoS, new engine
1982 924 Turbo nice body, blown engine
1972 911 E race car - going to Vintage
Various 944s to become IT-S race car

[gml]

I live in Ontario Canada and haven't found any clear cut guidelines for getting a safety inspection on a car with no title. I have read it is quite straightforward to get title (need an affidavit, get it notarized) but the safety inspection I'm a bit unclear on. Thinking I'll give a local Porsche mechanic a phone call.

[Rasta Monsta]

Ugh, somebody put a diesel delivery van motor in there.

Red flag!
_________________
Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S) - 931 S3
  
• Red (1987 924S) - Pro44/Spec944
  
• Shaggy (1980 931) - SOLD (unlucky, but tried hard )

[gml]

Rasta, are you serious? New to this community and to Porsche ownership so I can't tell if that's a joke. Excuse my naïvete.

I thought the valve cover was appropriate for a 1976 924.

Whether you're joking or not I will ask seller what he usually puts in the gas tank

[morghen]

[Fasteddie313]

[gml]

Even the 924 diehards still give it a hard time I see!

Thanks for the input, I will check out the oil, coolant, and tires, and definitely see how the clutch and brakes feel.

Asking is $7500 CAD. It seems rather steep to me and I hear the market has just been a little crazy lately (lot of demand for COVID projects). What's the 924forum appraisal at?

[Fasteddie313]

I hate to say it, but I’d think you could find one in VERY GOOD “driver� condition, with recent use and maintenance, and a clean title ready to go, for that kind of price..
_________________
80 Turbo - Slightly Modified

[Fasteddie313]

Check out these recent sales, and eBay prices are high..
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=porsche+924&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1

Also remember, other than Turbos, the newer ones are priced higher..

Turbos are a bit harder to price because so few are in decent condition, and they are so rare..
_________________
80 Turbo - Slightly Modified

[gml]

yeah the early 924 listings on BaT (e.g. this one) suggest a much lower value. I already figured that $7500 was too high but I will see how receptive the seller is to a low ball offer.

On a different subject should I set my eyes on a newer one? I really like the old school vibe of the 1976 924 (particularly the look of the steering wheel and its light weight) but the mechanics around me tell me the early ones are bit of a wildcard for parts and reliability.