Member: Tyler Gaudet
Member Since: 2025
Porsche(s): 1999 Boxster
Owned Since: 2025
Prior Porsche(s): None
Comments:
I came into ownership of this 986 after it was abandoned outside in Maine for 14 years. It was going to the scrapyard, but I saved it from demise in March 2025. I wanted to learn to work on cars and spend time with my father John, who is also a PCA member and former mechanic. We didnt take this project on because it made financial sense, we liked the challenge! But of course, we would like to minimize the money spent as well.
After getting the title, the car was dropped in my driveway. It was full of mold, mice, wet carpets, and snake skins from past tenants. The underside was somehow nearly rust free, the rubbers were still flexible, and the engine turned over!
We didnt have a key or know anything about the car history other than it spent most of its life in Texas. We got a key from the dealership and began working on it. Our first concern was the immobilizer and electronics. The immobilizer appeared to be ok visually when we opened it up but it was in fact bad. So we got a key programmed, new immobilizer, new lock cylinder (previous one was damaged- probably when someone tried to steal the car at some point!), and ignition switch. We repaired all the mice chewed wires that we could see and crossed our fingers! We also replaced the brake booster, master cylinder, fuel pump, all filters, battery, brake job, coolant flush, spark plugs and we few other odds and ends. After that the car was still misfiring on 2 cylinders, which turned out to be 2 rusted fuel injectors. So we figured that we should replace the fuel rail while we were at it, along with all 6 injectors.
We steam cleaned the interior, dyed leather in a few spots, and restored a set of turbo twist 18 inch wheels for it.
It’s now running great and on the road. It has 34,000 miles on it. We will do paint and bodywork in winter of 2025/2026……
