JND72 Posted 27October, 2019 Report Share Posted 27October, 2019 The Shannons 968CS Like many, I saw this car listed in the May auction catalogue and my interest was piqued. I’d always liked the 968, and the era of the Bathurst 12hr with the Mazda RX7SP, BMW M3R and other production car specials was front and centre for me growing up. So when the car popped up I did some research and registered to bid. Not expecting to actually buy the car at auction, I was somewhat surprised when I ended up as the high bidder. Then some mild panic set in that maybe I’d done the wrong thing! Typical buyers remorse/regret, given that I was remote to the auction and didn’t necessarily expect to be successful (?). Oh well. Being in Brisbane and the car in Sydney, plans immediately shifted to getting my hands on the car asap, and sending it to a trusted specialist that could really give it a good going over and determine what needed doing. I was under no illusion that the car needed substantial work, but that was OK as I was looking to the long term for ownership, and planned to use the car. In the end the choice was pretty easy, Buchanan Automotive. After a cold call to Bruce and a brief discussion, the car was duly transported from Shannons to the North Shore. I recall the phone call after the car was delivered, in which Bruce was very clinical and forthright in his assessment of the car – it was rough (!), but all there. JWM, Gavn, Harold996tt and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JND72 Posted 27October, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 27October, 2019 When time allowed Bruce and Sean did the once over, and sent me a very detailed description of work that needed doing, principally focussed on making the car reliable, safe and useable. After pondering and discussing the car and its needs, we settled on a way forward and work commenced. If you’ve seen the Facebook or Instagram accounts for Buchanan Automotive (recommended), you will have seen some of its progress. The car was a one owner, and had been purchased from SVM with a trade-in of a 944 no less. It also had the desirable M030 option, and LSD (220), no sunroof and was also a 4 seater, which meant it didn’t have the race buckets, but did have a back seat. It was built in 1994, and complied here in 1995. Fortunately the dash was in-tact, but other aspects had been let go. Certainly not a pandered one owner car... Suspension was rooted, brakes were dodgy with front rotors badly scored and whilst it ran, it was an unknown quantity. Engine oil leaks everywhere, and just general mechanical neglect. Not wanting to start with a boat anchor, work commenced. The good thing from my perspective was that it had never been modified, or altered in any way. A few minor scuffs and small dents, and a front nose cone that looks like it was repaired and repainted by a drunk monkey with house paint and a brush. Again, not unexpected, but would of been nicer have been a touch better. First port of call was removal of the engine/transmission and a full strip down, inspection and re-assembly. Given the car had 226,xxx km on board and was now 25 years old, it was a sensible option to start here. Whilst it was out, the endless accumulated grime, oil and sludge was removed from the engine and the engine bay. In some ways it probably protected some areas, but they shouldn't leak like that. Once out, the engine was separated from the transmission and was fully stripped down by Sean. Once stripped down, certain items stood out. 1. The head gasket had turned to dust. The material had completely broken down. 2. Certain parts of the wiring loom were in poor condition due to heat/age. 3. But the bores were good, pistons fine and most importantly crank good Importantly nothing catastrophic and all the important bits could be used. Harold996tt, craiggt3rs, edgy and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason A Posted 27October, 2019 Report Share Posted 27October, 2019 Do it all right first time, then just drive and enjoy 😊 Rob, Raven and 9fan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian in buddina Posted 28October, 2019 Report Share Posted 28October, 2019 you took it to the best place in Australia to get things sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold996tt Posted 28October, 2019 Report Share Posted 28October, 2019 Looking forward to see it completed. How many CS were imported with the rear seat option I wonder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5032 Posted 30October, 2019 Report Share Posted 30October, 2019 Great read really interested to see the final result...fantastic to see this one being restored back to how it should be!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JND72 Posted 30October, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 30October, 2019 Thanks for the interest, and yes the simple plan here is to do things once only. Whilst this is not a concours rebuild, there was an opportunity to do certain things whilst out/apart that would be difficult to do again. As well, with good advice from Bruce and Sean it was relatively easy to make the decisions as we went. One suggestion from Bruce and Sean was to clean up all the engine parts/covers, bolts and ancillaries. Having seen the standard of work on Bruce's 928, I was happy to follow their lead. So, whilst the engine was apart, here's some before photos. crsedge, JWM and GTP911 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTY Posted 31October, 2019 Report Share Posted 31October, 2019 Good luck with the refresh I’m really looking forward to seeing the end result I have to say the 968cs is one of my all time favourites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timm Posted 31October, 2019 Report Share Posted 31October, 2019 Wow that thing is filthy. Always nice to see these old girls being restored to their former glory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzJustin Posted 31October, 2019 Report Share Posted 31October, 2019 Keep us posted on the rebuild/refresh. Great to see another front engine car being restored! 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 31October, 2019 Report Share Posted 31October, 2019 Watching with interest!! We were only talking about our old 968 CS last night... I think we need another! they are awesome cars, very under rated On 28/10/2019 at 14:22, Harold996tt said: Looking forward to see it completed. How many CS were imported with the rear seat option I wonder. The answer is 13, we owned one of them in black. craiggt3rs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear924 Posted 1November, 2019 Report Share Posted 1November, 2019 Once it's on the road I'm hopeful at seeing you at our next front engine appreciation society. Great to see an enthusiasts bringing this car back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberpunky Posted 4November, 2019 Report Share Posted 4November, 2019 On 01/11/2019 at 10:02, edgy said: Watching with interest!! We were only talking about our old 968 CS last night... I think we need another! they are awesome cars, very under rated The answer is 13, we owned one of them in black. 13 CS or 13 with rear seat ? Do you know how many in total or any other info ? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 4November, 2019 Report Share Posted 4November, 2019 21 minutes ago, cyberpunky said: 13 CS or 13 with rear seat ? Do you know how many in total or any other info ? Cheers 13 CS delivered with the M685 (rear seat) option, total Australian 968 Clubsports delivered = 60. The OP’s car is a non sunroof M030/220 + 685... I’d imagine it’s a pretty scarce combo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberpunky Posted 4November, 2019 Report Share Posted 4November, 2019 13 minutes ago, edgy said: 13 CS delivered with the M685 (rear seat) option, total Australian 968 Clubsports delivered = 60. The OP’s car is a non sunroof M030/220 + 685... I’d imagine it’s a pretty scarce combo! Definitely.My 86 turbo is sunroof delete, script interior with sports seats, and I think that's rare combo ttoo. How did you get figures ? I'd love to find more info on total 944/968s imported. I have read 110 turbos in 86 that were also sold into 87 like mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JND72 Posted 8November, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 8November, 2019 Sean did a great job re-assembling the engine and making it look better than new. Almost too good to go back in the car. Whilst the engine was apart, the only modification/change as such was to replace the rods with Molnar items. The rods in the car were termed a "skinnier Version 2" rod, which are weaker than the 944 turbo rods or aftermarket H beam rods. Molnar were reasonably priced H beam rods, so they were purchased and installed. Left to right is: 944 turbo, Molnar and 968 rod The new rods Pistons all cleaned up ready for new rods. All starting to come together. In terms of the numbers of cars delivered here, I've also seen reference to a total of 60, of them 14 were M030 + 220 optioned. I've also seen reference to 13 cars having the rear seats, but not sure how many of them also had the other 2 options, but at least one other exists. Would be interesting to hear from other owners as to where they sit in build date/order too. This is a late version, but it still sat on the dealers floor for a long time from compliance date to sales date. I guess 1995 was a torrid for euro sports cars. On 01/11/2019 at 22:47, bear924 said: Once it's on the road I'm hopeful at seeing you at our next front engine appreciation society. Great to see an enthusiasts bringing this car back. That is the intention, but will be in the new year. JWM, ANF, grantmr and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzJustin Posted 12November, 2019 Report Share Posted 12November, 2019 Keep the posts coming. I love reading about these restorations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9fan Posted 12November, 2019 Report Share Posted 12November, 2019 What were the condition of the camshafts and gears like after all those km's ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JND72 Posted 27November, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 27November, 2019 On 12/11/2019 at 21:40, 9fan said: What were the condition of the camshafts and gears like after all those km's ? All good - before pull down there was a discussion with Sean & Bruce that these could be an issue, but no broken teeth or wear on cams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JND72 Posted 27November, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 27November, 2019 On 12/11/2019 at 21:40, 9fan said: What were the condition of the camshafts and gears like after all those km's ? All good - before pull down there was a discussion with Sean & Bruce that these could be an issue, but no broken teeth or wear on cams. Engine was rebuilt with new bearings all round (std, std), rings and all ancillaries replaced with new. Head sent off for reconditioning. All hardware and fittings replated. Various photos of engine in stages of rebuild. GTP911, cyberpunky, crsedge and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9fan Posted 28November, 2019 Report Share Posted 28November, 2019 Beautiful !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JND72 Posted 11December, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 11December, 2019 Some more photos of the engine as it was re-assembled. Headers were sent to HPC in Victoria for a factory look finish - the whole assembly looks almost too good to go back in the car.... All new parts installed in the engine, pretty much everything that has a life was replaced with genuine or OEM. Some changes made to fit a modern alternator, given age and development in these units. All aircon components were replaced, and compressor/condenser replaced with a more modern set-up. New radiator and fans. New genuine engine mounts All engine bay wiring was replaced where necessary, particularly in those areas subjected to heat and fatigue. We didn't want this going up in flames when finished. New clutch, pressure plate (green stripe) and DMF. New starter motor. Exhaust was existing, but new CAT was welded in place. Now onto steering/suspension/brakes/wheels and a complete overhaul of this. crsedge, Mike-S, JWM and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
944s2cab Posted 11December, 2019 Report Share Posted 11December, 2019 looking good, What alternator did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzJustin Posted 12December, 2019 Report Share Posted 12December, 2019 Nice progress! The headers turned out really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear924 Posted 12December, 2019 Report Share Posted 12December, 2019 Enjoying this! Please keep the updates coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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