Need you help to choose resto plan

[Xavier PJB]

All,

Need your opinion here.
I still seek the start of my 911 grp2 FIA 68. I wonder if buying a 911 1968 coupe solid shell and work the metal in US then drop it to FR.
Found shell in samba :
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie...php?id=1158854
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie...php?id=1170917

the work would be to sand blast, fix, primer, paint - add the front hood, doors, rear lid, change the rear wings, add the front fenders, add bumpers, add the windshiled, and plexi windows. Basically everything but interior triming and mechanics relatives.

1) do you think it is a good idea and rational
2) who could carry the work in US ?

Cheers
Xavier

[NorthernThrux]

Hmmm. I'd probably ship it to Poland or some place where the labour is much cheaper. Maybe even France ? Don't have specific contacts but have seen some really good craftsmanship on the DDK board. Otherwise you are looking at $70-110 per hour to do an awful lot of bodywork before paint etc.

[304065]

Series900, Sunapee, NH. A member of this BBS.

Is there a tax advantage to shipping a knocked down car?

[Xavier PJB]

Series900, Sunapee, NH. A member of this BBS.

Is there a tax advantage to shipping a knocked down car?

Thanks, The tax for collection cars are 5% of the paid price....so yes.

Cheers
Xavier

[Xavier PJB]

Hmmm. I'd probably ship it to Poland or some place where the labour is much cheaper. Maybe even France ? Don't have specific contacts but have seen some really good craftsmanship on the DDK board. Otherwise you are looking at $70-110 per hour to do an awful lot of bodywork before paint etc.

Thank for the tip, did not know.
Cheers
X

[Jim Breazeale]

I'd look for a better chassis to start my project. You should be able to find a better starting point, especially for that kind of money.
The initial price of the roller will become insignifigant by the time the project is done, though.

Regards

Jim

[John Z Goriup]

I'd look for a better chassis to start my project. You should be able to find a better starting point, especially for that kind of money.
The initial price of the roller will become insignifigant by the time the project is done, though.

Regards

Jim

Interesting how two completely opposing philosophies can exist in such close proximity to each other in the same thread , and convincingly compete for your attention.

The above approach is is the accumulated wisdom and a reflection of almost 40 years of actual, hands-on experience in the business of successfully supplying Porsche restorers and retail enthusiasts world-wide with parts, sound advice and complete cars. Before anyone jumps & cries "conflict of interest", let me flatly state that I have no financial interest in Jim's business, but also proudly admit that Jim indeed is a friend of mine, a true & trusted friend in large part because he's never given me or any of my other friends who have dealt with him anything but good, sound advise based on what course of action would result in the best end-result, not the cheapest or quickest. I submit that Jim's all-encompassing start-to-finish view of the restoration process is the only practical, sustainable, long-term approach to such projects and the entire early Porsche hobby. In my opinion, Jim B's. advice above is the most most solid cornerstone of sage and practical advice yet in this entire thread.

Hmmm. I'd probably ship it to Poland or some place where the labour is much cheaper. Maybe even France ? Don't have specific contacts but have seen some really good craftsmanship on the DDK board. Otherwise you are looking at $70-110 per hour to do an awful lot of bodywork before paint etc.

The other approach bases his recommendations on internet photos of restorations from other parts of the world altogether without actually ever having seen the results of these efforts in the flesh.

With all respect to NorthernThrux, shipping your car to Poland ( or Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania,etc ) could very well be the worst thing you could possibly do. Yes, you would get the rust damage repaired, but it's been my actual, real-life experience using eastern European labor that the resulting quality would be unacceptable by any standards. The reason the hourly rates in these ex-Eastern-bloc countries are lower is because the skill level, access to current technologies, use of modern methods and materials as well as the overall quality of the work is lower. Not their fault really, nor are they trying to rip anyone off, you simply must realize that most of the so-called automotive restoration specialists in these areas / countries are unemployed blacksmiths who no longer fix ancient agricultural machines. They may possess the work ethic and enthusiasm to perform the work you expect to have done, they just don't understand our expectations, nor the standards to which experienced Porsche marque enthusiasts should / will hold them. A straight, rustfree, properly repaired bare chassis is the basis of any restoration......and is most certainly not the place to skimp and cut costs. Physical remoteness could well prove to be another handicap. You would be dealing with people you're not familiar with, God only knows if or where you could inspect samples of their work, access to monitor their progress is likely be difficult, expensive and inconvenient, and any recourse available to you would most likely very limited. Transportation costs & customs fees / taxes could also prove to be prohibitive.

Caveat Emptor !!!

JZG

[Xavier PJB]

Thank you for the words and means.

As I asked for opinions, I will consdier them all.

However, my first thought was to ask a recomended and well known US specialist to carry the first step of my project.
I really would like to save a 911 1968 shell without hurting another one. The Car I wish to make must be FIA Grp 2 68 compliant, and I have no issue of using , new, NOS, second hands or repro parts.
I just want the structure to be well repaired, the rest is mine.

I would prefer a US based guy for two reasons : in the US you are obsess my concours, and second it would be very dificult to get the porr shell through the FR custom. So if I found a solid chassis in there it needs to be workout on site before shipping.

There is a wonderful guy here in Fr who could carry the shell job (garage Bourgoin, no afiliation), agin shipping the poor shell can be problematic.

In terms of costs, I know that the bill at the end will be high, the less I pay the shell, the more I pay the resto work.

Any more views ?

[911scfanatic]

With all respect to NorthernThrux, shipping your car to Poland ( or Hungary, Bulgaria, Rumania,etc ) could very well be the worst thing you could possibly do. Yes, you would get the rust damage repaired, but it's been my actual, real-life experience using eastern European labor that the resulting quality would be unacceptable by any standards. The reason the hourly rates in these ex-Eastern-bloc countries are lower is because the skill level, access to current technologies, use of modern methods and materials as well as the overall quality of the work is lower. Not their fault really, nor are they trying to rip anyone off, you simply must realize that most of the so-called automotive restoration specialists in these areas / countries are unemployed blacksmiths who no longer fix ancient agricultural machines.

I have no knowledge of your personal experience, but I think this tends to be a bias people have that may be unfounded.

As an example: http://cobracountry.com/kirkham/kirkhamfeature2.html

Of course, one would want to have references, just like any other transaction. But, I wouldn't discard NorthernThrux's suggestion out of hand.

[NTW]

The local shop that services my cars always has a few under construction for European customers so I'm guessing there are some economics working in favor of the Europeans here. As for those rollers, I would probably pass on both and spend more for a better start.