Update on newest Rescue Project

[Bulldog9]

Long Time WG folks know that in addition to my love for all things Guzzi and Motorcycles in general, I also (like many of you) have a penchant for the 4 wheel world. I have a thing for finding orphaned and neglected cars (and motorcycles) and giving them new life.

I think I posted some time back about a new German Girlfriend, and in my spare time (bahahaaaa) have been working on a 1989 Porsche 944 S2 I got from a 90 year old family friend with the promise to restore it. The car is cosmetically a 9.5 out of 10, but severely neglected and though garaged not run in 10 years.

I'm not ready for the full reveal, but worked on it non stop over the New Years weekend and 4 day holiday, and it is almost ready to start.  Here is the engine compartment fully restored. I am waiting for the new Coolant Reservoir to complete the look, and will swap it out at the 1000 mile coolant change to get the rest of the goop and corrosion out.  It has been a fun project, but I have yet to try to start it. That comes this weekend.










**Guzzi Content - The 944 with my other Orphans and adopted vehicles, ALL Guzzi's 

 

For the poor sap still reading, so far I have replaced: Full fuel system, tank strainer, pump, filter and all rubber fuel lines. Clutch Master and Slave cyl with rubber line. All new timing and balance belts with all cogs and rollers. New Throttle Body. All new Coolant Hoses and Accessory Belts, new Plugs, wires, Cap & Rotor, New Water Pump and Thermostat, New Cam Chain Tensioner Pads, Heater Control Valve, Power Window switches. Door Speakers. Hood and Tailgate lift struts. Rebuild Digital Clock.

[Turin]

Nice!

[cliffrod]

I always wanted a 944 S2…. 

[Bulldog9]

I always wanted a 944 S2….

I've always been an Air Cooled Porsche fan, and have been looking for a rescue/refresh Targa for years at a price I am willing to pay (snapping red suspenders). I stumbled on this through a family friend. He bought it when he retired in 1990, and it was his baby. He is 90 now and hasn't been able to drive it for 10 years. We talked on the phone about it several times. When I discovered it was a 944, I wasn't interested, but his love for the car won me over, and I decided to get it, restore it and take him for a drive in it this summer. In his words "I hope I am alive next summer"  So I am on a mission to make it happen.

The car is cosmetically pristine and only has 44K miles on it. He babied it, and only drove in the summer and weekends. No one ever sat in the back seat, and rarely a passenger. Cigarette lighter has never been used and it still has the factory plastic on things like the glove box labels. It just needed a full mechanical refresh, and most from just sitting. Thankfully he had the oil changed a week before he last drove it, so the oil is old but clean. Once I start driving it, after 500-1K miles I will re-flush the coolant, and change the transaxle gear oil. That is if it starts, and I haven't boogered up the timing and balance belts. Unlikely, but you never know. Once I am done and it get back to VA this summer, I am going to take it to a shop I know and trust to have them do a once over on the car and check timing belt tension, etc. That is really the only weak point on the car, though I imagine belt technology has advanced over the last 30 years. 

No idea if I will keep it long term, or sell in a few years and roll the profits towards something else. I've never driven in or even ridden in a 944. I really like the removeable roof panel.

[cliffrod]

I've always been an Air Cooled Porsche fan, and have been looking for a rescue/refresh Targa for years at a price I am willing to pay (snapping red suspenders). I stumbled on this through a family friend. He bought it when he retired in 1990, and it was his baby. He is 90 now and hasn't been able to drive it for 10 years. We talked on the phone about it several times. When I discovered it was a 944, I wasn't interested, but his love for the car won me over, and I decided to get it, restore it and take him for a drive in it this summer. In his words "I hope I am alive next summer"  So I am on a mission to make it happen.

The car is cosmetically pristine and only has 44K miles on it. He babied it, and only drove in the summer and weekends. No one ever sat in the back seat, and rarely a passenger. Cigarette lighter has never been used and it still has the factory plastic on things like the glove box labels. It just needed a full mechanical refresh, and most from just sitting. Thankfully he had the oil changed a week before he last drove it, so the oil is old but clean. Once I start driving it, after 500-1K miles I will re-flush the coolant, and change the transaxle gear oil. That is if it starts, and I haven't boogered up the timing and balance belts. Unlikely, but you never know. Once I am done and it get back to VA this summer, I am going to take it to a shop I know and trust to have them do a once over on the car and check timing belt tension, etc. That is really the only weak point on the car, though I imagine belt technology has advanced over the last 30 years. 

No idea if I will keep it long term, or sell in a few years and roll the profits towards something else. I've never driven in or even ridden in a 944. I really like the removeable roof panel.

Very cool- Great history.  I grew up in a TR3B, then drove it through high school and college in the 80’s.  Now it’s waiting for me to restore it. Dad was into the old sports cars, especially TR3s, but we appreciated other marques.  The air cooled modern 912-911-914 Porsche sport cars never piqued my interest but the 944 cars did.  There was a 928 driven to my high school by a friend, but it didn’t seem to fit the classic Porsche family.  I saw the 944 as somewhat of a modern regular 4 cylinder peer sports car in comparison to what I was driving, if that makes sense.

Never sat in one, rode in one or pursued owning one, but they always make me smile. I hope it turns out well for you, however long or short the adventure is.

[Beowulf]

That’s a lot of work. Thanks for sharing

[Bulldog9]

New wheels and tires. Unfortunately they forgot to put the crests on the center caps.

After the first start which went very well. It started right up and settled down to a stable idle. Very happy about that.. after sitting for 10 years it took about 15 minutes for the lifters to quiet down but once they did the motor is impressively smooth. Looking forward to its first Italian tune up :-) unfortunately I discovered several items that need attention.  The climate control and tachometer. Got to save my pennies, and no bourbon buying for the next couple months :-)

Also had a custom Euro style plate to match the antique plate for the state.