'affordable' air-cooled Porsche
Discussion
Geneve said:
IMI A said:
+1 3.2 Carrera, 964 C2, and 993 all brill.
That's also my experience. Back in the day, I had two of each, all ordered new, and used as my only regular daily transport - London, x-country, Euro trips. Then, I moved on to the water-cooled 996s, 997s, 991s, (oh, and 981s). However, I have always kept at least one air-cooled 911 in my garage - I couldn't live without the true spirit of the '911'. And, I prefer 'factory' originality, with perhaps a few reversible tweeks and upgrades, to the 'bitza backdates', and I'd prefer to buy a low mls, original, example than a rolling project (done that and felt the pain and frustration)
Mostly, each generation of air-cooled has been better than the last and the 993s are clearly the best if you want a modern classic. However, I actually have more affection for the G50 3.2s, although I would probably go down the 964 route if I was planning to modify and enhance the drive - '964RSque'.
The early '70s (2.2/2.4) was a golden era, and I had a 73 RSL for 17 years, but the best of these cars are too much of an investment asset and much more of a 'vintage' drive, although so much lighter and tactile than the '80s/90s cars.
My advice with air-cooled is - always buy the best car you can't afford
Edited by Geneve on Saturday 25th January 12:20
They are not not expensive to maintain , but they do cost; either through constantly unnecessary fettling, plus natural maintainance. In truth, the former has cost me WAY much more than the latter, but I’ve now ended up with something I adore - this car has survived all sorts of 911 / 981 comings and goings, it’s outlived every reshuffle / cull & I’ve been lucky enough to own some very nice Pork.
Plan to keep until I’m too old to get in and out of it.
Good luck to the OP , hope you find a car to cherish
Edited by RSVP911 on Saturday 25th January 13:12
some cheaper air cooled Porsches for sale here (for a reason!)
https://www.copart.com/vehicleFinderSearch/?displa...
https://www.copart.com/vehicleFinderSearch/?displa...
Many thanks to all for taking time to reply with useful and informative posts. Decided to stick with my 996 and bork fund instead of trying to stretch to an air-cooled with a small loan and barely any contingency funds. I am sure my time will come, if not the 996 is my piece of 911 ownership and I won't be sad wondering if I am missing out on air-cooled action. Thanks again!
RSVP911 said:
That was really nice of you - great to see this sort of thing on PH
The FOC service manual was sent tracked Parcel Post at my cost on Monday and accepted and signed for by a next-door neighbour on Wednesday. However, I’ve yet to hear from the intended recipient that they have actually received it. Maybe the neighbour is using it to do a bit of maintenance of his own.Funny old world.
lowndes said:
RSVP911 said:
That was really nice of you - great to see this sort of thing on PH
The FOC service manual was sent tracked Parcel Post at my cost on Monday and accepted and signed for by a next-door neighbour on Wednesday. However, I’ve yet to hear from the intended recipient that they have actually received it. Maybe the neighbour is using it to do a bit of maintenance of his own.Funny old world.
R0B3RT said:
I was about to scream "bargain" then noticed it was Tip......wibble cb said:
some cheaper air cooled Porsches for sale here (for a reason!)
https://www.copart.com/vehicleFinderSearch/?displa...
Good website that https://www.copart.com/vehicleFinderSearch/?displa...
So this seems a reasonably well sorted car ( as in engine rebuild 10k miles ago) although i'm curious as to what the correct price would be for this with an earlier mention of a similar car being bought closer to 30k
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-2-Super-S...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-2-Super-S...
Fanboy911 said:
So this seems a reasonably well sorted car ( as in engine rebuild 10k miles ago) although i'm curious as to what the correct price would be for this with an earlier mention of a similar car being bought closer to 30k
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-2-Super-S...
That's not a Super Sport is it? Where are the wide wheel-arches?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-2-Super-S...
An SE with the non-standard turbo/SS wing protectors. I actually prefer the narrower car to the widebody.
Looks quite nice and original - one of the last G50 3.2s, but pictures and descriptions can be deceptive - only a thorough PPI from an expert will reveal the truth.
Mileage (100k +) means it is a 'usable' rather than 'collectable' example, so it would need an exemplary clean bill of heath to merit that price
Looks quite nice and original - one of the last G50 3.2s, but pictures and descriptions can be deceptive - only a thorough PPI from an expert will reveal the truth.
Mileage (100k +) means it is a 'usable' rather than 'collectable' example, so it would need an exemplary clean bill of heath to merit that price
I had a lovely 1970s 911 restored completely to "as new" by some of the best names in the UK.
However, within 18 months and less than 2000 miles of use it required the box stripping and a new case and diff. And 2 years later another complete engine build (at eye watering cost - again). The latter happened on the next owner's watch, but the fault must have been developing from the day I picked the car up after the first full rebuild. Thankfully the bodywork was superb (and so it should have be after 500+ hrs).
Moral of the story? These cars are old and fragile and, no matter what you spend on them, and with whom, they often still behave like a 50 year old well past their best. Perhaps I - and the chap who bought the car off me - were unlucky. Or perhaps it's because we like to drive our cars as intended. Who knows? Just be careful.
However, within 18 months and less than 2000 miles of use it required the box stripping and a new case and diff. And 2 years later another complete engine build (at eye watering cost - again). The latter happened on the next owner's watch, but the fault must have been developing from the day I picked the car up after the first full rebuild. Thankfully the bodywork was superb (and so it should have be after 500+ hrs).
Moral of the story? These cars are old and fragile and, no matter what you spend on them, and with whom, they often still behave like a 50 year old well past their best. Perhaps I - and the chap who bought the car off me - were unlucky. Or perhaps it's because we like to drive our cars as intended. Who knows? Just be careful.
The last of the 3.2's is now 30 years old and many must be due for their second round of preventative bodywork.
Mine had already had the kidney bowls done so I was saved the worst of this ...but once the rust started to show I was shocked at how much work was required by an old school bodywork / fabricator to re-set the clock for another 15 to 20 years.
I am guessing that avoiding salt and the quality of the work now done will make it last better than it did from new ... but it was still a swift £6k!
Mine had already had the kidney bowls done so I was saved the worst of this ...but once the rust started to show I was shocked at how much work was required by an old school bodywork / fabricator to re-set the clock for another 15 to 20 years.
I am guessing that avoiding salt and the quality of the work now done will make it last better than it did from new ... but it was still a swift £6k!
dino_jr said:
Fanboy911 said:
So this seems a reasonably well sorted car ( as in engine rebuild 10k miles ago) although i'm curious as to what the correct price would be for this with an earlier mention of a similar car being bought closer to 30k
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-2-Super-S...
That's not a Super Sport is it? Where are the wide wheel-arches?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-911-3-2-Super-S...
Everyone seems to go for the coupe style body but would a convertible / targa detract from the experience? In the UK with more and more roads downgraded to 50mph, its the journey not how quickly you get there that matters.
As these are generally cheaper, as less desirable, I find them appealing (except 993 targa) but would have to be a manual. Particularly the targa as I like the wrap around rear screen - like the Jensen interceptor.
Interested in others comments who have gone this route. Particularly regarding body integrity and skuttle shake.
In Ingo Seiff’s book ‘Portrait of a Legend’ there is an aubergine convertible with matching interior that looks stunning!
As these are generally cheaper, as less desirable, I find them appealing (except 993 targa) but would have to be a manual. Particularly the targa as I like the wrap around rear screen - like the Jensen interceptor.
Interested in others comments who have gone this route. Particularly regarding body integrity and skuttle shake.
In Ingo Seiff’s book ‘Portrait of a Legend’ there is an aubergine convertible with matching interior that looks stunning!
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