[Grady Clay]

Ian,

Great example! You are going to have fun.

Yes, you should be able to trace the title history using the VIN. I would start from both ends with a CoA from Porsche and a California title search.

Was your 911T equipped with MFI or CIS (it could be either)? Particularly if MFI I encourage you to re-fit the system.

I like the trim touches.

What general philosophy are you going by? Do you intend to restore it to original? Do you want to continue to have subtle “improvements”, back dating and updating? Obviously it won’t become a track only car. Will its functionality be improved with the normal suspension improvements, shorter gears, LSD?

I’ll encourage you to do only what can be undone. There is plenty of room for creativity within that limit.

Soon it would be wise to repair the driver’s seat back. I can see non-original screws holding the seat back to the recliner and the classic wrinkle in the upholstery. The problem is the threaded inserts in the seat back failed and the screws worked loose. An upholsterer can remove the covering. You can have someone fabricate a reinforced version of the threaded inserts and then use original plated screws. If left unattended the seat back can fail to the point where it isn’t repairable.

Your greatest challenge is going to be to not have the chassis rust in your wonderful British climate. If it were possible a dipping in a vat of Tectyl would solve the problem. As it is you will have to protect everything piecemeal.

Your first place to clean should be inside the rear fenders, to the front, between a “hat shape” reinforcement on the inner fender/chassis and the bottom of the door latch striker panel. That is a place that classically collects dirt and your climate will allow the dirt to stay wet. The panel can rust through in an unbelievably short time.

If you want to play, the engine can be converted back to the original yellow fan shroud and MFI but underneath be a 2.8 911S, high compression, hidden twin plug. Nothing like 275 hp for fun runs.

Whatever you do, please keep the flat sides. You can squeeze a 7x15 and a reasonable tyre under there.

I would only repair the obvious interior issues. Good used original is very appropriate.

Again, congratulations.

Best,
Grady