A way out!!

Here is my dilemma, I have a white 1985 Porsche 928. I have had this car for 13 years. When I bought it was cheap. $3500.00 running. Interior was bad, exterior was above average. I had a lot of fun with this car, but never like the white exterior or the dark maroon interior and where I live the 5 speed is a hassle. I have the engine out because of bent valves and I am doing a total rebuild since it is out. My dream car is an 1988 or newer black on black automatic 928.
The question is should I just stop and sell the car for parts or get it put all back together and sell it as a running vehicle with a rebuilt engine. I know that this is a losing situation because I have bought all of the engine parts and the machine work is done. Give me some thoughts on maybe a path forward.
What would you do!!!!!!!!!!!

Find someone who will take this on as a project and look for the 928 you want. Unless you are enjoying this project, you are expending money and time. By selling it, you will spend less time.

My 2 cents.

I would be patient and see the project through as it sounds like you already have spent the money needed to make the car complete again. It sounds like the only shortcoming here is time; which is all you will be rewarded with by selling it in its present form. How much of the engine has been disassembled at this time? Just the heads and valvetrain? Is it down to the bare block?

I know there is some distance separating us, but if you want, you are welcome to send the car to my shop for me to reassemble for you. It would be a couple months before I could get to it, but I am happy to help for a *very* discounted fee.

I always apply the "two out of three" rule. Exterior, interior and drive train. If the car does not have at least two of the three that I would be happy with, I pass. Or in this case, pass it on.
Time and the nickle/dime stuff really add up but never seem to come back to you at resale time.

BUT..for every one I passed or passed along, there is another one that I way over spent on :o

denhamfly;12670 wrote: Here is my dilemma, I have a white 1985 Porsche 928. I have had this car for 13 years. When I bought it was cheap. $3500.00 running. Interior was bad, exterior was above average. I had a lot of fun with this car, but never like the white exterior or the dark maroon interior and where I live the 5 speed is a hassle. I have the engine out because of bent valves and I am doing a total rebuild since it is out. My dream car is an 1988 or newer black on black automatic 928.
The question is should I just stop and sell the car for parts or get it put all back together and sell it as a running vehicle with a rebuilt engine. I know that this is a losing situation because I have bought all of the engine parts and the machine work is done. Give me some thoughts on maybe a path forward.
What would you do!!!!!!!!!!!

To be honest with you I would keep it just the way it is now. I would put all the engine parts in or around it and then put it in storage. Then I would go look for the Black/Black 928 of your desires; and not especially in that order. I don't find anything wrong with having projects that are not complete, although I have heard that having them is some kind of character defect.

In fact, I took my very first Porsche 356C that I bought in 1968 apart and did a bunch of custom work on it and have now had it in storage with all the parts in boxes and indexed with labels and envelopes for about 30 years or more, actually nearly 40 years as I more carefully reflect.

So, I never had to reach the decision about what to do with it. I just have done nothing and have acquired a great number of Porsche and other cars and airplanes since. I think I am just going to let my heirs worry about it. Probably by the time they do the whole thing will be worth a whole lot of money, at least much more that the $2850 that I paid for it in 1968.

But that is just me.

I don't find anything wrong with having projects that are not complete, although I have heard that having them is some kind of character defect.

Jerry,
I agree with you - finish the car mechanically and store it/use it. At some point someone will buy it from you for a fair price.

I lost count of how many cars I have - half of them are in "mothballs" ready for rebuild when I am ready.

White with a burgundy interior is a nice color combo and on the rare side. Not to your liking but it will be for someone else.

These cars are increasing in value so be patient.

It won't bring any money not running, so in its current state it is worth almost nothing.

I am with Rog on the increase in value. Every year there are fewer and fewer of them. Unfortunately there are also fewer and fewer folks who remember them...

Thanks, for all of the good advice. I am going to have to go and drink some beers and look at the options.