BUYING ONE
As we pointed out when we took an indepth look at the 2.4T back in Issue 169, there is one unavoidable problem with a 911 of this age and that’s the potential for very costly restoration. Just like the less powerful model, bringing an S back to exceptional condition will swallow the same amount of money as restoring a 2.7 RS, so the need for caution is clear. Corrosion can strike in a number of areas, and eradicating it from the inner and outer wings, sills, floors and door pillars will be neither straightforward nor cheap. While many poorer examples have been weeded out over the last few years they do still exist, and when prices were more affordable it meant that numerous cars didn’t get the quality of restoration they deserved. So establishing exactly what work has been done and how well remains the number-one priority. And as we also highlighted with that 2.4T, if you’re tempted by the cheaper end of the spectrum you’re likely to be better off starting with an unrestored car; at least that way you won’t be faced with undoing someone else’s poor workmanship. If you’ve the slightest doubt about condition – or the provenance and history of the car – engaging the services of an expert to assess the situation is the sensible way to proceed. They will also be able to identify any deviation from the correct specification, missing period details being something that will matter to those wanting the very best.
It’s also worth mentioning that the mechanicals can present expensive challenges, too. While the flat six of the S is fundamentally robust it’s not without problems, some of which will be age-related while others, such as a propensity to leak oil to one degree or another, are part and parcel of ownership. A full-scale rebuild can relieve you of around £20,000, and it must be done by someone who properly understands these engines. A specialist will also ask for £5,000 or so to re-build the 915 gearbox, which can suffer from failing synchromesh; the second to third shift is often the weak spot. It goes without saying that the integrity of the body shell is the crucial factor, but don’t dismiss a slightly shabby cabin as it’s another area that will significantly dent the budget if you’re after perfection. Ultimately, caution is the watchword before taking the plunge.
“As for owning one, it goes without saying that this isn’t a 911 to buy and forget”