My new 1981 924

jethro924 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:06 pm

Not a fan of guards red at all, but that looks bloody lovely. Absolutely love spoilerless rear hatches and the four stud teledials are sweet. A really good looking car!

Englander · **Posted:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:55 pm

John H wrote:

Chucking it down this morning, but decided to go to see my brother Bill in Stonehaven anyway, 75 miles away, using the 924. 150 miles later ... I’m impressed.

Remember this is a 32 year old car which until yesterday hadn’t turned a wheel in two years. Yet it thrummed up the dual carriageway to Stonehaven with no problem at all, no leaks, no temperamental displays. It settles easily to a speed of about 75 mph in a very long legged, loping sort of feel. The unassisted steering which is so heavy at parking speeds chats away in your palm, or through thumb and forefinger actually, and the whole car seems to breath with the tarmac in a way that todays tautly sprung cars seem to have forgotten. Modern Audis for instance seem to want to combat the road, batter it into submission. This old Porker just rolls with the road, quite delightful, and very old skool. There are no trip computers, no digital readouts, slow but accurate gearchange, no automatic anything ... this is a very analogue car. I was worried about subjecting it to a 75 mile journey, but it shrugged it off with nonchalance, and felt like it would happily have run all the way to John O Groats at 75 mph without a hitch. With every mile it seemed to get a bit sweeter too, like an elderly athlete coming out of retirement, and getting the stiffness out of his joints with the first few laps. After a quick brunch with Bill of bacon and egg rolls at a local caff, I came back home the coast road, where again it just loped along like an old GT car, rather than the manic sports cars of today. Very rewarding drive. Stopped at Montrose harbour where I took these pics.

Of course it’s not perfect. There is too much vibration and harshness getting into the cabin, I suspect the engine mounts may have hardened or failed (a known fault on these cars I believe?) or perhaps there is a component somewhere not quite balanced. The brakes are still juddery, but getting better. It doesn’t rev as easily as modern engines, nor is it terribly economical, but that’s hardly surprising. I have lots to fettle and improve, but it feels to be a sturdy and reliable travelling companion.

Poetry John, you've captured the 924's personality very well !
:beer:

Phil

John H · **Posted:** Sun Apr 14, 2013 7:59 pm

As it happens I recently wrote a piece comparing my old cayman with the new one, which will appear shortly in the POrsche Club magazine "Porsche Post". In the meantime I published it on my website, so feel free to enjoy http://www.arthurlea.com/Stories/Cayman/index.htm

:smile:

Oh ... and an old tale of my 924S http://www.arthurlea.com/Prawns.htm :cool:

John H · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:56 pm

An update ... I think there is a loose baffle in the exhaust, as I am getting an annoying vibration. The exhaust was fitted new by the previous owner two years ago (but has since done almost no miles), and has a lifetime guarantee, (it’s supposedly stainless steel) but not apparently if he sells the car. Decided to go and see the exhaust place to see if I can wangle a replacement.

Well, I went to the exhaust place who were surprisingly helpful, but typical ordinary garage (ie, no place to take a Porsche). Turns out it’s not a stainless exhaust (hence no guarantee) it’s just a plain steel one, and rather poorly fitted at that. At least I got to see under the car, and the exhaust was rubbing on a bit of the bodywork and causing a noise. They “adjusted” it (probably with a hammer, I decided not to watch :eek:

) and it is a bit better, but still not perfect. No charge. At least I now know what one of the sources of vibration is, and the car is running a bit sweeter now, but still not perfect. I will replace the whole exhaust properly one day when I can afford it, but it will have to do for now.

There are no floor mats in it, and I was worried about damaging the carpet, which is a very retro long pile shag carpet the colour of Teddy Bear plush. Car mats are a rip off, anything from £50 to £130 a set, and I’m not paying that. Stopped at B&Q to see what they had, and found two doormats, hideous long pile shag things in chocolate brown, in the sale for £10 each. Amazingly they fit the footwells perfectly, (drivers side will need trimmed) and look suitable “period” and match the dashboard plastics. Oh well, one result this morning after all!

I had promised my wife I would take my time in fettling this car and not rush at it, but of course I am impatient to have it put to rights swiftly. I did buy some professional Farecla cutting compound yesterday from the little coachbuilder supplies firm locally (great wee place) and it rips the oxidised and faded paint back to shiny red amazingly well, even just doing it by hand. I now have a partly shiny red car, couple of panels left to do ... if it would stop raining!

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Englander · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:14 pm

Great interior but pleaaaaase don't put B & Q mats in it !! :boohoo:

Fitted aftermarket ones aren't that pricey http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-924-7 ... 519a312d80

John H · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:45 pm

Englander wrote:

Great interior but pleaaaaase don't put B & Q mats in it !! :boohoo:

Fitted aftermarket ones aren't that pricey http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-924-7 ... 519a312d80

The B&Q ones are a temporary fix to save the carpet until I find ones that match properly. I've looked at those beige ones, and I'm not sure they are the right colour.

Englander · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:58 pm

Sorry, I shouldn't be telling you what to do with your own car ! :lol:

It's a really nice example though. I know what you mean about cost, the genuine Porsche and Porsche replica ones with logos are v. expensive i.e http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/p ... html#a3675

I've found that a lot of the aftermarket mat producers on e bay manufacture in house so will have a range of carpet qualities and colours available, they just don't show all patterns in all colours. There is a company not far from me (they are in redditch) who made me a set to fit my A4 Avant in Jaguar wool quality carpet with correct bindings and fasteners , while I waited ! About £30 I think.

Worth messaging a supplier to see if they have dark brown or golden brown shades available.

Cheers

Englander · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 2:44 pm

John H wrote:

As it happens I recently wrote a piece comparing my old cayman with the new one, which will appear shortly in the POrsche Club magazine "Porsche Post". In the meantime I published it on my website, so feel free to enjoy http://www.arthurlea.com/Stories/Cayman/index.htm

:smile:

Oh ... and an old tale of my 924S http://www.arthurlea.com/Prawns.htm :cool:

Nice..particularly enjoyed 'Long distance prawns' :beer:

John H · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:10 pm

Englander wrote:

Nice..particularly enjoyed 'Long distance prawns' :beer:

There's more if you've nothing better to do! :lol:

http://www.arthurlea.com/storyindex.htm

pete · **Posted:** Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:28 pm

I'm sure Felix would be very interested in your writing:

publications@porsche924.co.uk

:grin:

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My new 1981 924

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