964 Refurb Time ..... Oh dear

[Jerryberry]

First time of posting and filled with a little trepidation . A little background to set the scene.
I purchased my 1989 964 4 Slate Grey in 2016 at the peak of prices and being promised solid no rust etc etc , the car had been resprayed looked lovely and had had a full engine rebuild at 96k ,Dansk exhaust and drove well .I LOVED IT .. sold my B8 RS4 avant quickly and bought it. A few glitches along the way, not really sold what was described but I was in love with the thing. Hand in pocket I had the suspension geo done at CenterGravity , new boots , wipers, sunroof overhauled , New Porsche classic head unit, dreaded 4 wheel drive PDAS/ABS unit replaced (so expensive I wasn't expecting that one ) and a few other things as you go along .
5 years in and a little wiser having now read a couple of great detailed threads for others , Chief, Silver Surfer, and Paul 284 all very good , many thanks for all the amazing pictures and insight . I realise I probably could have done things differently. However there really not very many of these cars about and I can't spend my life regretting things . I plan to keep the car longer.. if I can afford the work so I need some help.
Sadly I possess NO skills for any of this work myself and will need to do the work once hopefully . Looking to start with the body work and paint first so a proper strip down if I can afford it !
I am in south Wales so no real obvious classic Porsche contenders . I will need to travel and want the best / affordable job. Following a couple of discussions here it sounded pretty worrying with some very high prices being touted ? ... My thoughts are 1.Precision Porsche
2. Canford Classics
These are both South England . Happy to consider up North as I will get the suspension done by CENTER GRAVITY again this time with new shocks .
Will then consider the interior but will probably keep this stock colour Linen .
Keen to get the car looked at , need a couple more recommendations from those that know and have had personal experience.
I will try and post some pics but would be very grateful for any steers. ta

[Orangecurry]

It seems your settings do not allow private messages - might be an idea to change that?

Anyway - if you are starting with paint and bodywork, you want to find the best painter and bodywork specialist near you.

There are certainly some peculiarities to the 964, but it's just a car at the end of the day?

[ras62]

Picked my car up today Stunning job, well worth speaking to.
https://www.facebook.com/mjspaint/photos/pcb.23772...

[Jerryberry]

Thank you . Will give them a call . Have they done a full strip and paint for you?

[ras62]

Yes, glass out and panels including wings off. They are doing a 3.2 there atm which needs major tlc

[Wozy68]

Are you on FB?

A guy called Mark Derby posts on there. He owns RS911 based (I think) in Mid Wales. He’s always posting on the latest developments of air cooled cars he’s renovating.

I’ve never used his services but maybe worth a google and a chat.

[BertBert]

I know Lee Mayor in Preston - I bought a car he restored from him - earlier than 964, but he covers all air-cooled plus other interesting stuff. I'd certainly vouch for him. Maybe worth a discussion to see what he has to offer. Being in the frozen North, he may be more cost effective than the Southerners.
Bert

[g7jhp]

Many of the London 964 Owners seemed to have work done at Lemass Automotive.

I have to affiliation or experience but they have videos on YouTube on the 964 projects.

[nw942]

Wozy68 said:

Are you on FB?

A guy called Mark Derby posts on there. He owns RS911 based (I think) in Mid Wales. He’s always posting on the latest developments of air cooled cars he’s renovating.

I’ve never used his services but maybe worth a google and a chat.

He's local to me near Llangurig and I've only heard good things about him, although not had any dealings with him myself.

https://rs911.com/

[stichill99]

I have looked at RS911's work at the classic motor show and it looked really good. Maybe it would be worth trying to contact some customers of his.

[Jerryberry]

Thanks for your recommendations . Its a tricky one . I will have a think . It appears that maybe the best route is find the best body shop not only a Porsche one! Plenty to think about .

[Pilotguy]

Williams Crawford? in Saltash, East Devon, so not too bad to reach from South Wales.

[SRT Hellcat]

Tony Littlejohn of GTR Motorsport

[Steve Rance]

Another vote for Tony. He is very good

[IMI A]

I used the firm that 911v uses. £3500 to £5000 depending on condition before you ask - every project different - if you do want a chat ask for Bob at Autobody Technic in Slough and mention Imi put you in touch (and I promised you a mates rate discount) but they're reasonable with anyone straight from the off which is the sign of a good firm. Website not so good. Work very good. http://www.autobodytechnic.com

[IMI A]

ras62 said:

Picked my car up today Stunning job, well worth speaking to.
https://www.facebook.com/mjspaint/photos/pcb.23772...

love it

[Notsip8]

ras62 said:

Picked my car up today Stunning job, well worth speaking to.
https://www.facebook.com/mjspaint/photos/pcb.23772...

Looks good.
Small outfit, how did you come across them ?

[ras62]

Notsip8 said:

ras62 said:

Picked my car up today Stunning job, well worth speaking to.
https://www.facebook.com/mjspaint/photos/pcb.23772...

Looks good.
Small outfit, how did you come across them ?

Cheers IMIA

They had done work for a friend so I gave them my old SL500 to paint the front end. I was pleased with the results so they got the job on the 964. The results are superb. As good or better than I've seen tbh and I've seen quite a few. Complex subject is paint, its quite an education Ste gave me as he patiently answered daft question after daft question

The 964 is a very complex car, bodywork wise more components than any other 911 which obviously adds cost, especially in parts. Its no wonder Porsche didn't make money back in the day, they must have been a nightmare to build.

[IMI A]

Nice to have an old new car back. I should mention Riviera. fantastic job on our 993. Virtually concours actually won best over all car at R21 PCGB last year after 5 years and 15k miles.



https://www.rivieraautobody.co.uk

Also worth travelling for the best job at best price

[Notsip8]

ras62 said:

They had done work for a friend so I gave them my old SL500 to paint the front end.

Not an R129 by any chance?

IMIA, between Autobody Technic and Riviera whose better?