tech notes
Expert Answers to your You might be surprised to know that the car worth attempting. Tech Questions this type of question comes up quite There, of course, is another side to Mail: Excellence Magazine often. Many a Porsche owner today has this question, which is what it's really 42 Digital Dr. looked at their older Porsche, which has going to cost now to bring the car to Novato, CA 94949 been in storage or sitting unused in the operating condition and keep it running Fax: (415) 382-0587 garage for many years, and wondered if properly in the future. By no means is Email: [email protected] it's worth the time and money to make the $12k-plus a small amount of money, and needed repairs and restore it back to based on what you said, it sounds like operating condition or better. We believe you are considering the bigger picture Is It Worth Attempting? that before taking on a project of this beyond just the issue with the radiator lam looking for some advice. My dad magnitude, you need to really consider that took it off the street originally. This is is the original owner of a 1986 928 S the complexity of the project, the time one area where many people make the which now has approximately 170k miles involved, your mechanical abilities, the mistake of not considering everything the on it. About three years ago the radiator cost, and ultimately how important the car needs in order to make it a viable went, and the car was parked and not car is to you. running vehicle again. used since. Dad has had the car looked This car obviously has a great deal of Automobiles like Porsche were not at, but the bill to fix it was north of $12k. sentimental value. The fact that your meant to just sit; even when they are not Engine mounts, front assembly, radiator, father is the original owner, plus you used being used, wear and tear is taking a toll etc., all need to be replaced. Here's the this car to drive your wife to a very spe- on the condition of the car. Components tricky part: This is the car I took my wife cial occasion in your relationship, makes like seals, camshaft belts (928, 944 and (now) to Prom in 1987. it unique to you and your family. These 968 models), tires, plastic, fabrics and I would love to restore and get it run- types of emotional connections are very paint all degrade just from their exposure ning again and am willing to do the work powerful and typically as the years go by to the atmosphere. If you feel the esti- (or as much as possible) myself. So now these connections become even mate you previously received does not for the big question: Is this even worth stronger and often far outweigh the mon- cover all potential issues with the car, attempting? etary value involved. For some people, then we suggest that the car be further this alone makes the effort of repairing continued on page 30