Porsche 924 - My First Car 10 months on
Discussion
so shameless advertising! Will be popping an ad up over the next day or so!
Oops, I've neglected this thread, time to bring it up to date again!
hadenough! - I did have the car up for sale as I wanted a 924 Turbo. However, at the last moment insurance was a lot more, so I decided rather than waste money insuring an unknown car to me, I should invest it into my 924.
Stu - Well spotted! Yes, earlier in the year I photographed a sublime 944 for Retro Cars & GT Porsche magazine. Speaking to Gav, the owner, was fantastic, as we were two transaxle anoraks sharing ideas all day! Of course, I'll never forget my ride in an early oval dash 944 with 340 conservative BHP. This was before my car was lowered, it looks more purposeful now! I'm spending a lot of time with a particular 911 at the moment, there's some images on www.felix-page.co.uk under current projects.
As for my 924, I've put the roof rack to use:
And then had some niggles come back, with my alternator being a bit temperamental. Luckily, it seems this was just a loose earth connection and since I tightened it up, the voltage is strong. Earlier this week the car wouldn't start again, I suspected a flat battery after my alternator woes, so turned up with another charged and ready but alas, no start. I called the AA and the patrolman recognised me & the car!!
Infact, he came to it when the starter motor broke. Same again. Paying the labour last year to fit a used one turned out to be a false economy. With the 924 National on Sunday I really wanted it fixed. The indy that does my MOT and big jobs I can't muster managed to get a starter overnight and fitted it for me. £267 poorer, I was at least able to arrive at Coventry Transport Museum in a 924..
It was a great venue for it and there were a lot of projects ready for it. Most surprising was the total of 11 road going 924 Turbos, which are the rarest of all and outnumbered the 2.0 and 2.5 n/a cars. My car did look conspicuously daily hack against the rest ha! I got re-elected onto the committee again to do the publications, so I can keep working on the magazine amongst other things:
Tax was then due, so it was an usually costly month of 924 ownership!
Having established a good relationship with Porsche Cardiff recently, it's currently in their workshop for a front wheel bearing. Hitting the front valence wasn't the only damage I inflicted, as the anti roll bar link was bent and a steering gaitor ripped. I'm having a bit of a front end refresh as bushes are very cheap and a few other little bits. It's due a service also and some new rear hatch struts, since mine have never had the strength to hold the rear hatch up. I can't wait to drive it again already, the front should be nice and tight, and it already handles well with the koni shocks. Sadly the starter motor and tax took up my wheel fund, although I do still want some slightly larger wheels so I can have less side wall. The 15x6 spiderwebs are tempting, but really some more dishy period wheels would set it off...
hadenough! - I did have the car up for sale as I wanted a 924 Turbo. However, at the last moment insurance was a lot more, so I decided rather than waste money insuring an unknown car to me, I should invest it into my 924.
Stu - Well spotted! Yes, earlier in the year I photographed a sublime 944 for Retro Cars & GT Porsche magazine. Speaking to Gav, the owner, was fantastic, as we were two transaxle anoraks sharing ideas all day! Of course, I'll never forget my ride in an early oval dash 944 with 340 conservative BHP. This was before my car was lowered, it looks more purposeful now! I'm spending a lot of time with a particular 911 at the moment, there's some images on www.felix-page.co.uk under current projects.
As for my 924, I've put the roof rack to use:
And then had some niggles come back, with my alternator being a bit temperamental. Luckily, it seems this was just a loose earth connection and since I tightened it up, the voltage is strong. Earlier this week the car wouldn't start again, I suspected a flat battery after my alternator woes, so turned up with another charged and ready but alas, no start. I called the AA and the patrolman recognised me & the car!!
Infact, he came to it when the starter motor broke. Same again. Paying the labour last year to fit a used one turned out to be a false economy. With the 924 National on Sunday I really wanted it fixed. The indy that does my MOT and big jobs I can't muster managed to get a starter overnight and fitted it for me. £267 poorer, I was at least able to arrive at Coventry Transport Museum in a 924..
It was a great venue for it and there were a lot of projects ready for it. Most surprising was the total of 11 road going 924 Turbos, which are the rarest of all and outnumbered the 2.0 and 2.5 n/a cars. My car did look conspicuously daily hack against the rest ha! I got re-elected onto the committee again to do the publications, so I can keep working on the magazine amongst other things:
Tax was then due, so it was an usually costly month of 924 ownership!
Having established a good relationship with Porsche Cardiff recently, it's currently in their workshop for a front wheel bearing. Hitting the front valence wasn't the only damage I inflicted, as the anti roll bar link was bent and a steering gaitor ripped. I'm having a bit of a front end refresh as bushes are very cheap and a few other little bits. It's due a service also and some new rear hatch struts, since mine have never had the strength to hold the rear hatch up. I can't wait to drive it again already, the front should be nice and tight, and it already handles well with the koni shocks. Sadly the starter motor and tax took up my wheel fund, although I do still want some slightly larger wheels so I can have less side wall. The 15x6 spiderwebs are tempting, but really some more dishy period wheels would set it off...
On the weekend I picked up these spiderweb wheels, with almost new Maxxis tyres and the long wheel bolts for £100.
I'm getting the wheels refurbished in all silver with black bolts. The Turbo's had the lattice wheels without the black detailing and I think they look fine:
The tyres on the new wheels are 205/60/15 and currently I have 185/70/14, which I hope will have a positive effect.
I have the car back now from Porsche and it drives very well! A full service, all new fluids, front wheel bearings, new ARB bushes and mounts, steering rack regreased with new gaiters, brakes adjusted, exhaust fettled and a full alignment! I fitted the new hatch parts too, it takes some force to close it now, instead of it falling on my head! Tidied up the interior trim too, replacing any worn items.
The engine is sweet at 142k and the handling is immense! The turn in is amazing and then there's the balance of the chassis. The car has never felt so good and it feels like after a couple of years ownership it has gradually reached this point, so a big thanks to everyone who has helped!
It's not quite wanting for nothing, the leather on my steering wheel has come apart, is it worth getting it recovered? Or should I save up for a Momo Prototipo or something similar? The bodywork lets it down too, but that doesn't worry me. I did pull the front valence out with some molegrips though. Without sounding too car proud, it's got to be the tightest daily driven 924 NA around. It's a testament to the cars that it drives the way it does with 142k on the clock after 29 years on the road.
I'm getting the wheels refurbished in all silver with black bolts. The Turbo's had the lattice wheels without the black detailing and I think they look fine:
The tyres on the new wheels are 205/60/15 and currently I have 185/70/14, which I hope will have a positive effect.
I have the car back now from Porsche and it drives very well! A full service, all new fluids, front wheel bearings, new ARB bushes and mounts, steering rack regreased with new gaiters, brakes adjusted, exhaust fettled and a full alignment! I fitted the new hatch parts too, it takes some force to close it now, instead of it falling on my head! Tidied up the interior trim too, replacing any worn items.
The engine is sweet at 142k and the handling is immense! The turn in is amazing and then there's the balance of the chassis. The car has never felt so good and it feels like after a couple of years ownership it has gradually reached this point, so a big thanks to everyone who has helped!
It's not quite wanting for nothing, the leather on my steering wheel has come apart, is it worth getting it recovered? Or should I save up for a Momo Prototipo or something similar? The bodywork lets it down too, but that doesn't worry me. I did pull the front valence out with some molegrips though. Without sounding too car proud, it's got to be the tightest daily driven 924 NA around. It's a testament to the cars that it drives the way it does with 142k on the clock after 29 years on the road.
Id buy a nice 944 wheel for about £20. The best quality steering wheel that I have ever used.
Make sure that it has the same horn ring as your existing wheel. If not undo the three screws and swap it over. 1986MY onwards will be the later series two style. The wheels are the same but the horn rings arent compatible between 924s/944 series ones and series two 944s/968s.
Make sure that it has the same horn ring as your existing wheel. If not undo the three screws and swap it over. 1986MY onwards will be the later series two style. The wheels are the same but the horn rings arent compatible between 924s/944 series ones and series two 944s/968s.
Little update of bits & pieces I've done lately:
Cut out old headlining neatly and glued in the rubber insulation, not going to bother with new lining, looks good enough.
Got a glovebox for £2 off ebay to replace my ripped old one.
Added a momo steering wheel from an MX5. Same diameter and in perfect condition. Will cash in the 3 spoke Porsche one on eBay.
Painted the sills, my hand, legs and one of my shoes black. Meanwhile Ben with the Beige 924 makes a point of buying the spray can at the back and applies paint neatly where wanted.
Two of my spiderweb wheels are refurbished to mint condition and the other two aren't quite done yet. They'll look superb on my car even if they show the rest of it up. Feels a bit wrong to run them daily through the winter but oh well!
A few of my friends have 924's now, so we went for a little drive around yesterday. Later we loitered outside McDonalds, joined by a 964.
Cut out old headlining neatly and glued in the rubber insulation, not going to bother with new lining, looks good enough.
Got a glovebox for £2 off ebay to replace my ripped old one.
Added a momo steering wheel from an MX5. Same diameter and in perfect condition. Will cash in the 3 spoke Porsche one on eBay.
Painted the sills, my hand, legs and one of my shoes black. Meanwhile Ben with the Beige 924 makes a point of buying the spray can at the back and applies paint neatly where wanted.
Two of my spiderweb wheels are refurbished to mint condition and the other two aren't quite done yet. They'll look superb on my car even if they show the rest of it up. Feels a bit wrong to run them daily through the winter but oh well!
A few of my friends have 924's now, so we went for a little drive around yesterday. Later we loitered outside McDonalds, joined by a 964.
Nice to read about your progress, the car is getting better by every update, although it looks kind of messy underneath 
(who am I to say that, as I am Mr.Sunshine racer ). Have you moved the steering wheel back a bit with the new wheel? If not, try a spacer, makes wonder for leg room and general seating position.
That 924 mag looks absolutely awesome, where do I buy it? Guess its the club mag?
(who am I to say that, as I am Mr.Sunshine racer ). Have you moved the steering wheel back a bit with the new wheel? If not, try a spacer, makes wonder for leg room and general seating position.That 924 mag looks absolutely awesome, where do I buy it? Guess its the club mag?
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