thinking about buying an SC as a classic rally car...

porkermoose · May 6, 2009

hi all

I registered on this forum this morning and already it's been worth it (see below)

A mate and I have been competing in classic rallies for the past 7 years or so. We started in a Triumph TR4 and a year ago bought a 1976 Dolomite Sprint in which we did the Lands End - John O'Groats (LEJOG) classic rally in December. We finished, but not without mechanical trauma on the way.

We were put in a class with various other 70's and 80's machines, notably an '81 924 Turbo and a 928 S2 (that dragged us out of a scottish ditch on day 3...) Watching these cars' teutonically efficient progress throughout the rally (both won prizes) started me on a train of thought I can't get rid of: I want me some of that Stuttgart stuff!

The cutoff date for LEJOG eligibility is 31 Dec 1983, although a pre-'82 car would also get into a lot of other rallies' modern classic categories. I never liked 924s much (Carrera GT excepted I suppose). 928s too expensive to run. Gotta be the latest eligible 911, then - hence this post.

Questions:
1. Has anyone had any experience of running a 911 SC in this type of event ?
2. Is is feasible to buy a car that will be reliable for under £10k ?
3. Anyone know of one for sale?

I've been watching this car on ebay for the past couple of days, but this morning I read a post on this forum from a chap who'd been to see it - apparently the rust was more than 'cosmetic'. So I'm glad I didn't waste my time on that one. Generally I'd always trade slightly tatty bodywork for looked-after mechanicals, but I'm not really up for £000's worth of welding...

Last question: there's a Porsche used specialist, Porschecraft (were forced to change their name to 'Portiacraft' a couple of years ago) around the corner from me. Anyone used/heard of them ?

Many thanks in advance for any advice or thoughts

Jon

porkermoose · May 12, 2009

generally speaking, cars are supposed to be pretty standard, unless you can demonstrate that the mods in question were used in comparable competition at the time the car was manufactured

the rules were meant to govern much older cars to prevent people putting on all sorts of inappropriate modern kit, but it doesn't really make sense with 70's and 80's cars because road rallying had died out by then and had been superseded by stage rallying where rules were much more relaxed

typical mods that people do are seats, harnesses, roll cage, extra lights, underbody shields. a proper rally tripmeter is essential - the competitive element requires you to be in the right square meter of road at the right second (facing the right direction, too

)

it really is excellent fun, if you can find either a navigator who can read maps and doesn't get car sick, or a driver who doesn't scare you sh*tless

we focus on the big multi-day events, but there are plenty of 1-day rallies to get an idea. check out the HRCR website if you're interested

nathan 1981 930 G50 · May 13, 2009

That SC has been mentioned in another thread. Supposedly it has head a respray to cover up lots of corrosion. A finger went through the inner wing etc etc.

Gary C · May 14, 2009

ORIGINAL: porkermoose

doesn't really make sense with 70's and 80's cars because road rallying had died out by then and had been superseded by stage rallying where rules were much more relaxed

Ha !, I used to do a bit of road rallying in the mid to late 80's, great fun. lots of Lotus sunbeams and twin cam escorts (until they got banned) and Chevette HS's with me in my standard, roll cage free 1.6 Astra SR [

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