Porsche Lovers...Should I Leave Car Original

[wgwollet]

Hello

I was very lucky to score a very nice 1973 Porsche 911T coupe. It is a one-owner car bought new on east coast. The owner did nothing to this car, I mean nothing, he had one receipt from a Porsche dealer in CT.

He drove the car as daily driver (no winters) until 1991 then garaged he car. So when I got it I had to deal with fuel issues. It is now running badly with 72,000 on the clock.

It was equipped with Fuchs, 5 speed, factory A/C, non-sunroof. The color is leaf green with tan leather seats.

I read I the last Excellence magazine about people keeping cars as is, not restored.

My car has never been touched, original interior and exterior, but needs stuff for 38 years of wear.

My seats are worn but not shot, carpet worn but not worn out, paint is good for 38 years but stone chips and body dings, radio original.

Sorry about the rumbling on....Question is these cars worth more just by cleaning them up...for the group of people wanting a " untouched-all original car" or replace worn out interior and make it look better? Like replace turn signal lenses, redo Fuchs, redo the seats, redo dash, redo door seals, fix door dings and road rash, etc, etc.

Thanks for comments in advance.

[wolfgang1]

Wow... anxious to hear the opinions of the experts too... I find myself in the same position having bought a shockingly original car with a few minor bumps and bruises...

I did buy some "perfect" period correct seats rather than recover mine. Figured that by keeping the original seats (which badly needed new pads) in attic, I would always maintain the ability to sell the car as original as possible... I also tracked down the original tool kit and jack and paid a small fortune for it for the sake of originality.

Now I find myself with 5 cars and a two car garage, not sure what to do :P

[Aron in Toronto]

I am by no means an expert on this, but what would intrest me most in a car similar to what you've described is keeping it as original as possible, while making the necessary mechanical repairs and restoration. In other words returning it to sound road worthieness but keeping the paint and body as original as possible, re-padding the seats but using the original upholstery if you can. Repairing any rust and fixing small dents (PDR).

If the car or some areas of it are too far gone to salvage it's originality, then by all means repair and restore as required but don't go overboard.

This is however a personal decision, if you are a perfectionist and bit of patina is not you thing and will always be annoyed by the small cosmetic flaws (and your budget allows) then perhaps a more envolved restoration is in order.

Congratulations on your find. Leaf green is a rare, and in my opinion a great color

Love to see some photos when you have a chance.

[a911s]

I was talking to Curtis A just the other day about what might be the next trend for our community. We discussed the possibility that leaving cars original might be one of them, and perhaps John Straub's article might have something to do with that. Personally I'm glad to see that this is at least something new owners might be considering.

In 1998, when I bought my '72T in Huntington Beach through the late Craig Stevenson I drove it right to Best Deal (anybody remember that place?) to outfit it for the drive back to Seattle. I distinctly remember telling one of the salespeople about my plans to turn it into a fire-breathing RS flared autocross monster. I might have well been talking to a wall. He looked at me incredulously and said "You might want to keep it as it is."

Twelve years later, I can see he might have been right. Of course at the time it was either modifying the T or my '72S. I think I made the right choice - yet that's always a moving target.

Here's to the journey in making the "right" choices along the way.

[pu911rsr]

It's your car, you should really do with it as you please. As everyone will say they are only original once. Post some pics, sounds like a great car.
Phil

[Bullethead]

+1 Phil... do with it what you like, but it can be original ONLY once. Do a sympathetic refresh to all mechanicals and detail the car, and enjoy it. If you choose to make modifications consider only bolt-on changes that can be reversed when (or IF) you choose to sell. Most potential buyers will appreciate that and pay a premium for your efforts.

[X-Faktory]

Often the choice is based on future worth vs. 'what you really enjoy". They are often misaligned....but I will always go for what I enjoy................you can't spend too much time wringing your hands over this kind of $hite, or worrying about others opinions...it takes all of the joy out of it. Make it what you want to drive...and then go drive.
regards,
al

PS: I know...this is just another opinion....that's just me....I may be wrong

[Bill Simmeth]

PS: I know...this is just another opinion....that's just me....I may be wrong

Al, I think you nailed it. The older I get, the more I think the old Nike slogan "Just Do It" is the meaning of life.

Wgwollet, congratulations on what sounds like a great find! Please post up pics and whatever you decide, enjoy it.

[cjtbt]

Hey Bill, congrats on another nice find!

We spoke at a couple of gatherings this summer, and I mentioned this website and just found it.
Check out the video......

http://www.survivorcollectorcar.com/

Bud

[wgwollet]

Hi Bud, thanks for comments and from the other members.

I read the article in Excellence and started to think, he even left the rust.
I now think the term "original only once applies", as the more I look at the car, I plan to make it road worthy, I know the clutch needs replaced, throttle cable, door seals, engine wires, brakes, and anything so I can enjoy and drive. I would like to use the car and not just sit around.

The seats are something I need to think about and I will post pictures of them and the car soon to illustrate what I am talking about. The paint is OK, I too think the cars are great to update or make usable to enjoy, not a big fan of just letting the car sit in the garage. Plus wife would make me sell the car if I did not use it.

I have two other worn out cars that are making sure my retirement will never happen,
So will get back.