Thought I'd drop by and say hello.
I've owned my 87' Metallic Marine Blue Sport Targa for about 11 years (944 before that). However because of moving/renovating house, changing jobs and other general life issues getting in the way she's been SORNed and stored in the garage for the last 7 years. I kept her covered up and started her every couple of months, just wanting to find the time to start enjoying her again. Well that time is here!
I hadn't started her for about 9 months, and after sourcing a new battery, she fired up on the first attempt, although with enough smoke to bring the neighbors out to see what was happening, and an idle speed of about 3000RPM. A quick rinse over and check all the lights worked and I took here to the local MOT center expecting a failure list as long as your arm, I was gobsmacked, apart from not being able to test emission due to the high idle speed, the only failures were wipers, horn, a faulty rear fog light and some corrosion on brake hoses.
Next thing was to book in for a full service including a complete change of all fluids and to get the high idling and MOT faults sorted. Even carefully driving the couple of miles to the garage with a throttle stuck at 3000RPM (it was just a sticky cable), it reminded me of what I had missed.
So the update is that it now has an MOT and is taxed and is roadworthy again. The bad news is that the heat control flaps have seized open, driving everywhere with hot air blasting out isn't great and since the point of a Targa is to enjoy it on warm sunny days, I've asked the garage to replace them with stainless steel units. So a few more days before I can enjoy it again.
The bad, bad news, years ago I had a prang and and there was a bit of damaged to the rear wing, just by the B pillar, well the repair shop obviously didn't prep the area properly as the rust mites have go in and it's blown out the door slam panel and where the damage was, not structural but looks crap. There are also bits of bubbling on the bumpers and some scuffs and scratches, so over winter I'll have to go in the shop for a respray. However since these cars are now appreciating in value it's probably worth the investment.
I'm also thinking of getting a full underbody clean and seal, there are a few companies who specialise in doing this for classic cars has anybody tried them?
Most important question though, when I get it back next week, I'm going to spend the weekend detailing it, what colour restorer/wax products do people recommend?
Here's a couple of pics
I've owned my 87' Metallic Marine Blue Sport Targa for about 11 years (944 before that). However because of moving/renovating house, changing jobs and other general life issues getting in the way she's been SORNed and stored in the garage for the last 7 years. I kept her covered up and started her every couple of months, just wanting to find the time to start enjoying her again. Well that time is here!
I hadn't started her for about 9 months, and after sourcing a new battery, she fired up on the first attempt, although with enough smoke to bring the neighbors out to see what was happening, and an idle speed of about 3000RPM. A quick rinse over and check all the lights worked and I took here to the local MOT center expecting a failure list as long as your arm, I was gobsmacked, apart from not being able to test emission due to the high idle speed, the only failures were wipers, horn, a faulty rear fog light and some corrosion on brake hoses.
Next thing was to book in for a full service including a complete change of all fluids and to get the high idling and MOT faults sorted. Even carefully driving the couple of miles to the garage with a throttle stuck at 3000RPM (it was just a sticky cable), it reminded me of what I had missed.
So the update is that it now has an MOT and is taxed and is roadworthy again. The bad news is that the heat control flaps have seized open, driving everywhere with hot air blasting out isn't great and since the point of a Targa is to enjoy it on warm sunny days, I've asked the garage to replace them with stainless steel units. So a few more days before I can enjoy it again.
The bad, bad news, years ago I had a prang and and there was a bit of damaged to the rear wing, just by the B pillar, well the repair shop obviously didn't prep the area properly as the rust mites have go in and it's blown out the door slam panel and where the damage was, not structural but looks crap. There are also bits of bubbling on the bumpers and some scuffs and scratches, so over winter I'll have to go in the shop for a respray. However since these cars are now appreciating in value it's probably worth the investment.
I'm also thinking of getting a full underbody clean and seal, there are a few companies who specialise in doing this for classic cars has anybody tried them?
Most important question though, when I get it back next week, I'm going to spend the weekend detailing it, what colour restorer/wax products do people recommend?
Here's a couple of pics
