87 924S Restoration

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87 924S Restoration

Project Started 09/21/02

Project Completed 11/25/02

Total Cost to restore/recondition $1,705.14

A summary:

Restoration is really not the right word with respect to this car. The car was in really great shape on the day I picked it up and anyone would be proud to own it in the condition in which I received it. However, there are always things to be done and thus I listed it in the same format as the 82 924.

The car got the ultimate road test when I bought it because it was a six hour drive to get the car home and it ran great the entire trip. The only problem was an oil gauge that was pegged at max and an oil light flicker (I suspect a bad sending unit). I need to confirm that the 60,000 maintenance has been performed (the car has 74,000 miles) and the A/C doesn't blow cold (recharge?). The washer system doesn't work and needs to be fixed.

The interior of the car is excellent. A dash cover will be installed to cover some small cracks in the dash and I will add stylish interior seat covers etc to protect the original Porsche seats and carpets. The only item of concern is a problem with the intermittent wipers (the switch must be held down for them to work). The wiper switch may have to be replaced.

The exterior of the car is a real head turner. The only item of concern is a collapsed rear bumper shock that must be replaced. Some paint "touch ups" are in order for typical chips etc. Otherwise, some items will be added to update and protect the exterior. My overall goal is to preserve the excellent condition of this car.

The Project:

I started this project by detailing the engine compartment and taking the car to my Porsche mechanic for evaluation. After replacing a bad oil sending unit and fixing a small leak he confirmed that 60,000 mile maintenance had been performed and that the car was in excellent mechanical condition. Instant relief!

Next, I started replacing all the little things that were missing such as screw and bolt covers, visor clips, console buttons, etc. All the things that "finish" the car. Then I detailed the interior.

On the interior, I added racing seat covers (to preserve the excellent Porsche seats) and matching shoulder pads and steering wheel cover. Also added were genuine Porsche floormats for the front and rear. I replaced the "tan" front door speaker covers that didn't seem to fit with black ones that added a nice accent.

The major item on the interior was the new dash cover. This was added both to cover some small cracks in the dash and also to preserve the original dash. I am considering upgrading to a Blaupunkt CD player and adding a power antenna but those items are on hold for now (the original Blaupunkt radio still sounds great).

The exterior of the car revealed several problems. First was the replacement of a rear collapsed bumper shock. A 924.org member offered me a pair of shocks at a very reasonable price and this was a very easy repair. Second, there were several deep paint chips (not surprising for a car this old) and I was able to repair these thanks to a chip repair kit and some touch up paint from Performance Products. Not being an expert in body work I was really concerned about the chip repairs but the repairs came out quite well (maybe not body shop perfect) and it is hard to see the repairs unless you are looking for them.

The entire windshield washer system in this car had to be replaced. Neglect and time had simply taken their toll. The pump, line, fittings, and nozzles were all replaced. The system now works as it should. The intermittent wiper problem remains but will be ignored until a used switch can be found.

To finish the exterior, I decided to add both sill decals and side body decals. These really make the car stand out and I really liked the result.

There are still some very small items remaining and future projects pending but the car is now very close to showroom condition and I just hate to take it out of the garage.

Restoration complete.

Stereo System completely re-done 5/9/06. Installed a Blaupunkt CD/MP3 unit with all new Blaupunkt speakers and wiring (factory look was maintained). As part of this project a power antenna upgrade was also completed.

Porsche valve stem cap added.. why not?

Update 5/20/06 - Have decided to go ahead and move the rear license plate to the bumper and complete the lense upgrade. This will be a plain but illuminated lense. Have also decided to attempt to add the rear wiper if the kit/parts can be found for the right price.

The details:

Engine

Confirm 60,000 mile maintenance (completed)

Degrease/Detail Engine (completed)

R&R Windshield Washer Pump (completed)

R&R Windshield Washer Line & Fittings (completed)

R&R Washer Nozzles (completed)

Replace cracked wiper motor cover (completed)

Replace missing wiper motor boot (can't find?)

R&R Oil Pressure Sending Unit (completed)

Fix fluid leak (completed)

Charge A/C (completed)

Interior

Install New Dash Cover (completed)

Replace Lighted Key (completed)

Fix Passenger area light (completed)

Replace Missing Console Switches (completed)

Replace Broken Visor clip (completed)

Replace missing Seat Belt Covers (completed)

Install Blaupunkt Stereo CD player (completed)

Fix Broken Hood bulb (need to diagnose wiring problem)

Replace cream speaker covers with black in front doors (completed)

Fix intermittent wiper switch problem (completed)

Fix flashing oil light (completed)

Racing Seat covers for the Front (completed)

Seat Belt Shoulder Pads (completed)

Floor mats/Front and Rear (completed)

Steering wheel cover (completed)

Exterior

Touch up Exterior Paint (completed)

Replace rear bumper shock (completed)

Install Power Antenna (completed)

Fix "frozen" radio antenna (completed)

Replace Broken Trim molding (completed)

Re-locate license plate to bumper (on hold)

Install rear lens upgrade kit (on hold)

Install Tail Light Upgrade Kit (completed)

Replace missing wiper caps (completed)

R&R Windshield Wiper Blades (completed)

Install door edge guards (part discontinued)

Replace rear hatch lock seal (completed)

Replace Decal/Hood Crest (completed)

New car storage cover (completed)

Add Mirror and Nose Bras (completed)

Add side decals "PORSCHE" (completed)

Add sill decals "924S" (completed)