Help with my 1968 911L

[dweb]

I am looking for advice on how to approach a few projects on my 68 911L Sportomatic, VIN 11805183. I have read many of the great build threads here and am blown away with what people have been able do. I am really far from that ability but would like to take on some low level stuff as a way to get my feet wet and build my confidence and skills. I am hoping some of you can weigh in on my list down below.

But first some background. I got the car seven years ago from my dad before he passed away (two years ago now). He had it for thirty years, roughly 1983 - 2013, all in California. As you can see the car is now in Colorado. Most of my childhood memories were spent in a previous targa he had when I was small enough to sit in the back seats. By the time he got this car I was in high school and never rode in the back and less time in the front as well.

Before my dad the original owner was in LA and used it as a daily driver putting around 150,XXX miles on it. I have many of the original service records including a major motor rebuild though I don’t recall at what mileage off the top of my head. In the subsequent years with my dad and I it has only amassed an additional 22,XXX miles. Obviously I don’t drive it as much as I could/should but it is somewhat impractical with three teenage kids, weather, etc. I hope to change that and start to drive it more frequently, particularly if I can find time to tackle some small projects. It is also now driving better than when I first got it due to some work I had done at the shop recently.

Since I’ve had the car it has had two pretty major visits and one minor visit to the shop. The first major one was to get the transmission working as it was getting very difficult to shift gears. I opted to keep it original and stay with the sporto. That was about six years ago, and though I wouldn’t have chosen the sporto it pretty much chose me. So it stayed. More recently the entire suspension was replaced with as close-to-stock parts as possible. Ever since I got the car it drove pretty poorly due to having many of the original suspension pieces. Going over railroad tracks or rough road the car “porpoised” badly. The one minor shop visit was to adjust the timing and get new plugs when I first got it. The car was tuned to meet CA emissions and didn’t drive well at altitude. And by not well I mean that it stalled at almost every intersection. Due to all three of these garage visits the car is once again fun and reliable to drive.

The biggest remaining project that I don’t know if/when I will tackle, is to get it repainted back to a period correct color. I’ve read a few threads about getting an old car repainted and the push from the collective wisdom is to typically go back/to the original color. I am of that mind and wish my dad had kept it original. Unfortunately in the mid 80’s he couldn’t stomach the Golden Green (62165) original color. My dad always said the color was Gold Grün (6828). The VIN tag on the door frame shows 62165 so maybe he was confused and/or I’ve seen that the color codes look to be interchangeable. Somewhat moot if I get it repainted back to original, but my dad choose the color Ruby Red Metallic. He thought it was a 944 color and it is, but I also now see that it was a color available on 928’s, 924’s and 911’s. Maybe he saw it on a 944 first and liked it because that is where he said he saw the color. Note this Ruby Red Metallic is speculation from what my dad always said but it matches up with the research I found recently. Either way a shame really but my mustachioed 80’s dad couldn’t deal with the color.

The paint is not likely to happen any time soon because of cost and the fact that the paint is in mostly good shape. There are a few spots of rust that I know about - a small spot on the hood close to the front windshield and then a new one discovered under the driver side sill. The rust under the sill was discovered when it was at the shop getting the suspension work done. It would be great to get these rust areas addressed and also see what else is hiding under paint etc but for now it will wait.

Here are my projects I’d love to get input from everyone on in no particular order. Advice on what would be the best places for a newbie greatly appreciated. I have good quality basic tools (metric sockets, open/closed end wrenches and the like) but not specialty tools fwiw.

1.Driver side window crank will not put/keep last 1-2” of window all the way up/closed. The only way to get the window to stay all the way closed is to pinch the glass from above with door open and pull it up as you roll up crank.
2. The passenger side door lock can only be activated with the key from outside as the interior door lock knob no longer functions.
3. The radio was stolen from the car twice. My dad was over it and didn’t replace it after the second time. My question is what people would recommend? My ideal scenario would be to put in an original five button radio (how much will that run?) and also a bluetooth receiver to play music from my phone. Has anyone done anything like that? And what about the speakers? I can add more photos but I’ll be surprised if they work (the passenger side door speaker is just visible in one of the photos). Again what would you recommend?
4. The speedo has always been way off, too high. I have used a Garmin GPS to confirm this. Does this affect the mileage on the car? If so, the mileage on the car is too high!
5. The areas around the glass let in air from outside at a high rate, particularly the front glass near the rear view mirror. How difficult is that to replace? I suspect much of the window rubber pieces are of the same vintage and should be replaced. Anecdotally when washing the car I have to take great care as water gets into the car easily.
6. The driver seat (in particular since that is where I sit) doesn’t stay in place if I put too much pressure. For instance if I need to get something out of my front pocket it is difficult to not have the seat ratchet back. I did find a post where someone modified the seat so that it wouldn’t recline. That isn’t my first choice but a possibility if that is the only option. Though I don’t love the seats per se, as with most everything else on the car I want to keep it stock.
7. As you can see in one of the pics there is what I have been told is an AC unit installed under the edge of the dash, perhaps aftermarket. As mentioned above the first/original owner used the car for fifteen years in LA as a daily driver and I think he put it in. I’ve never used it and wonder what to do with it? It’s kind of ugly and not needed now like it once was.
8. The rear bolt in chrome bumper. I don’t particularly like it and believe it was required by CA when new. I’ve seen other cars from this period with the same bumper. Stay or go? It has always been on there so sometimes I don’t even “see” it.
9. Is there a fix to get the glove box to stay closed aside from locking it? Mine will pop open while driving from time to time.
10. Any suggestions on where to get a new foglight to replace the one that is missing? Or, would you suggest getting rid of both?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I know there is a tremendous amount of knowledge here and hope to take on some of these for starters!

David

[82 sportsc]

David
Sent you a PM

[Trackrash]

First, I like the color and if it is in good shape, you should just keep it. Unless you have a low mileage, original, show car, and you want to sell it for top dollar, why go back to original?

Rust in the rocker panel, oh my.

1. That usually is the pivot in the window crank mechanism. There are replacements available now, I have heard. You will have to disassemble most of the door to get to it.

2. Probably WD40 in the critical spot will do the job. Probably have to remove the door panel for access.

3. Depends if you want a radio. Then the choice is up to you.

4. They all read high.

5. Replacing the windshield rubber is due-able, but not for the faint of heart. Lots of threads on this. I would highly recommend not allowing rain to touch your car with a leaking windshield rubber.

6. Did you ask about this in another thread?

7. There was an AC unit dealer installed option back in the day. IMO, remove and trash it.

8. I believe you are referring to the two cross bars that was an aftermarket or dealer option? Those are rare, up to you leave or remove.

9. My glove box latch broke, as well. Not sure of replacements. I found a Beetle one that worked.

10. Not sure what is available.

[HarryD]

If is was me, I would slowly fix the broken things and in the meantime just drive and enjoy the car.

For repairs, I would focus on making the car weathertight. That means get the windows fixed.

[HarryD]

BTW. Cool car.

Think about visiting the Early 911S Registry BBS. Lots of knowledgeable folks there. Early 911S Registry

[RSBob]

If the car was originally delivered with fogs, you should replace it. There are a number of sellers, including Porsche, Einmaleg and Stoddard.

Good for you returning it to the original color.

This is a great board for getting answers, especially for 74-89 impact bumper cars. The site which specializes on 64-73 and has tons of experts on an early car like yours is The Early 911S Registry. You don’t need an S to join, so don’t be put off by that. They do require a small annual fee, but the wealth of knowledge there is endless and usually right on target.

Best of luck and you are doing your father proud.

[HarryD]

RSBob. Good advice. I would wait with the color change lady after the other mechanical issues are sorted out.

[Trackrash]

If you don't have these books, you should as they have a wealth of information.

[HarryD]

Sadly. There is no Bentley for pre-1978 911’s. Haynes is about the best if you cannot get a copy of the Factory Manual. Th Ed other books can be helpful as well.

[Trackrash]

You know, I "made due" with a Haynes for many years. They are IMO the best of the independents. Problem is the current one covers too many years.

If you can find the Original work shop manual that is the way to go. Especially if you plan on keeping the car. They come up from time to time in the parts for sale forum. Or ask if anyone has a copy for sale. Might want to check ebay as well.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

You know, I "made due" with a Haynes for many years. They are IMO the best of the independents. Problem is the current one covers too many years.

If you can find the Original work shop manual that is the way to go. Especially if you plan on keeping the car. They come up from time to time in the parts for sale forum. Or ask if anyone has a copy for sale. Might want to check ebay as well.

Agreed.

You are looking for a set like this: forums.pelicanparts.com/classic-porsche-literature/1041111-fs-1965-1971-workshop-manuals.html

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by RSBob

If the car was originally delivered with fogs, you should replace it. There are a number of sellers, including Porsche, Einmaleg and Stoddard.

Good for you returning it to the original color.

This is a great board for getting answers, especially for 74-89 impact bumper cars. The site which specializes on 64-73 and has tons of experts on an early car like yours is The Early 911S Registry. You don’t need an S to join, so don’t be put off by that. They do require a small annual fee, but the wealth of knowledge there is endless and usually right on target.

Best of luck and you are doing your father proud.

David, the Early ESS Registry does not require an annual fee. I don’t know how this statement continues to be repeated. The ESR forum is completely free and open like Pelican. There is a membership if one wants to join the “ESR club”, and membership is not limited by the type of car one owns. Couple of perks for joining. The club magazine is pretty good IMO.

The amount of knowledge there for your ‘68 is probably unparalleled. I can think of only one other site that compares and that is DDK. Between those two sites (and Pelican of course), should be able to get you through anything with the car and I mean anything.

Best of luck to you. 68’s are unique.

[dweb]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I found a set of the work shop manuals on ebay and they will arrive next week. Also picked up a few other books. I'll update as I start to make progress. Thanks everyone!