Description
I bought this 924 just over a year ago - like many of these, it had been standing for some years and needed a full work-through to turn it into the reliable daily driver it is today.
Starting from the front, new injector seals and a full clean and adjustment of the K-jet system has restored smooth running, as well as replacement of high-pressure fuel hoses, fuel accumulator, intake and breather hoses. I have rebuilt the WUR and the car now starts and runs well. Initially it suffered from the well-known hot start issues, but this seems to have resolved itself - I suspect a leaking injector was to blame.
I've replaced the radiator with a good used one, along with the fan sensor, water pump, thermostat and cambelt. The alternator has also been rebuilt, and I have replaced damaged wiring with heatproof to avoid issues with this in future. I rebuilt the front calipers, bled them properly, replaced the track rod ends and steering rack gaiters and set the tracking correctly. The car handles as a 924 should, with no shakes or wobbles, and the brakes pull the car up well. I replaced the front tyres with new Continentals in the correct size.
I rebuilt the wiper motor and rack, replaced the relay and now the wipers work on both speeds with intermittent as they should. A new battery has also been fitted, as well as a new heater fan resistor so the blower gives all 3 speeds. I replaced the seats with a good used brown leather / vinyl set from (I think) a 924 Turbo, with the driver's seat refoamed on the back and base with a kit from Nine Series Classics. Both electric windows work, with rebuilt switches and a replacement passenger side motor.
At the rear I replaced the shock absorbers with good used 944 items and fitted new axle locating bushes. I also replaced the complete handbrake cable with a new Porsche item so this now works perfectly. I fitted a new silent high pressure fuel pump and new fuel level sender, although the gauge still doesn't register correctly. The low fuel warning light works fine though! I replaced the rear hatch seal and rewired the heated screen, so this now works as it should.
The car is as close to rust-free as I suspect an unrestored 924 gets - the original underseal is in place and it needs no welding. The paintwork would be the next focus: the front wing is dented from a hit-and-run parking incident, and the paint on the driver's side of the car especially is poor. I suspect this is from some cheaply repaired damage in 2001, when apparently the car was declared Cat C. There's obvious filler from this, but the sill is original and the shell is straight. I was told by a bodyshop who assessed the damage that the otherwise rust-free wing can be beaten straight, but I would combine this with a respray of the OS and bonnet of the car myself.
So if you're still reading, this car is a great daily driver you won't be worried about parking at work. It turns heads and is admired every time I drive it. The brakes, clutch, gears etc all work well, and I'd have no hesitation driving it anywhere - it even has an MoT until next month although it doesn't need one!
The pale blue is an uncommon 924 colour these days, and I think it really suits the car. The shape is still futuristic, with the fab pop-up headlights, and it still manages to be practical - enough space inside, reliable VW mechanics, good brakes and handling and about as much pep as my old Mk2 Golf GTI. It's been a great first Porsche!
