Restoring a 928S

[sheepy]

Hi All,

I've 'stumbled' across an abandoned 928s which has been sitting in the same place since '95. I've managed to trace the owner who is quite happy for me to crawl over the car looking at what needs doing with an eye to taking the car and restoring it to running condition. I'm not a Porsche expert, but I have some experience of resurecting cars (My XJS lived in a barn for six months before I rescued her, and then lived on axle-stands for another six months whilst I tended to her wounds !!!). I know that the car was taken off the road because one head-gasket had blown and the engine needed some work, but the owner then lost interest.

I'm guessing that the car will need a full engine rebuild, gearbox rebuild and probably transmission / axle overhaul. What I do want to find out is the sort of parts cost that this would involve. I'm happy to tackle most of the work myself, and the cost of the restoration being more than the car's worth doesn't bother me (I hate to see unusual or special cars scrapped for any reason).

Also, the car was registered in Germany, and has been scrapped as far as the German authorities are concerned. Would this impact on getting UK registration?

Any comments, contacts or advice welcome (Yes, I know I'm mad; and no, my wife doesn't mind!!)

Sheepy

[apeebles]

All I can say is good luck. This is one of my favourite cars and still looks great to this day.

[domster]

You will need a good salvage yard for parts. Here is the list I roll out occasionally:



Douglas Valley breakers [phone]

Europorsche, 0208 900 0900

Lodge sports, 0161 371 5598

Roger Bray, 01404 822005, www.rogerbrayrestoration.com

Club Auto Sport, 01384 410879, www.porschepart.co.uk

Discount 9 Autotech, 01656 740991, www.discount9autotechporsche.co.uk

Parts Source, 0208 550 6911, www.partssource.autopage.co.uk

Porsch-Apart, 01706 824053, www.porsch-apart.co.uk

Pro-9, 01564 785161, www.pro-9.co.uk

Brain Woodward, 01454 261067

'The UK's largest porsche dismantler, try us last' 0113 243 1392, www.porschebreaker.com

As far as registration goes, you will need the original reg doc from Germany, but I'm sure this is just for proof of ownership purposes. Once restored you should just be able to get it through an MoT or SVA test and have it registered. Check with the dvla, though.

Finally, there will be a lot of bodywork problems as well, at a guess. What you are doing is not sensible from an economic point of view, as restorations rarely are - so please don't pay much for the wreck to begin with

Good luck, and welcome to PistonHeads.

Rgds
Domster

PS Yes, you are nuts




>> Edited by domster (moderator) on Wednesday 9th July 16:39

[Thom]

You may find interesting to contact Samuel via his page http://mapage.noos.fr/928cs/
He may be able to provide you with knowledegable advices.

Good luck, and please keep us informed !

[iguana]

When you can pick up a 928 with an MOT from the £1000 mark, it would certainly not make sence financially.

[sheepy]

Thanks for the links and contacts Domster, I'll make a few calls and look at the costs of bits. A replacement engine and gearbox from a breakers may be cheaper than a self-rebuild.

Iguana : Yes I'm aware of that. Then I could also have bought an XJS with MOT and less problems for the same money as I paid for mine, but the sense of achievement from saving a lost cause is something I savour.

Or maybe Domster got it right: I'm nuts!

[dontlift]

Also give EMC Engines a bell on 0121 328 2225 Take to Kevin

They did me a 944 engine fitted for £1,500 to race spec, and the work was excellent - also i have seen them doing engine / gearbox etc rebuilds on other porsches, and the number of porsche race cars they have in the garage is fantastic

[williamp]

Chris, you are quite mad!

However, I love 928's, and I would be very interested in seeing how you get on. It sounds like a lot of fun.

keep us informed please!!

Will
944S

[sheepy]

Well, this project ain't going ahead. After advice on here and from a 928 Owners list, I offered zero (plus £100 to cover his costs in finding the keys etc), and he told me that he thinks the car is worth £1500 and won't take less.

Fifteen hundred quid for a car with a blown engine, trashed interior and peeling paint which has been sitting in the same place since 1995?

HELLO, ANYONE HOME?

I mean: come on, it's not like these cars are so rare you don't find running examples for less than £5k. He thinks the wheels are worth £500-700 but I was quoted £100 for a replacement set. He also thinks the shell is "very sought after".

Ah well, it was a nice couple of weeks dreaming. Now its just feels like

Well, I didn't even leave him my number so he could ring me back. I left it as: Well if you think someone will pay £1500, good luck in finding them.

If anyone has got a car in need of restoration which they are looking to get rid off for little or nothing, drop me a line.

Sheepy

[domster]

Why not find another interesting project?

Douglas Valley Breakers, Cleave Salvage and South West Salvage will all have stuff that needs some spannertime.

Sorry the 928 didn't work out.