To Clone Or Not To Clone That Is The Question

Platiporsch · 05-24-2003, 12:28 PM

What are your thoughts on taking a pretty nice original 73't [mfi] and cloning it into a 73 rs looker. Ive got everything i need, i have been gathering rs specific parts for years now, New RS flares, RS steel rear bumpers, NOS touring rocker mouldings,very nice sport seats,original RS duck tail, 15x7 15x8 fuchs,steel S' front spoiler,RS steering wheel,on and on, should i feel guilty about cutting a nice original car? maybe i should look for a 72-73 tub instead and go that route. what does everyone think.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Sounds like you have already decided what to do. If you had wanted to build on a tub, you would have also bought a complete interior by now as well. The R Gruppe is famous (infamous) for doing this for some time now. If it was an E or S, or a very low mileage T, I would say no. I did the same thing as you are proposing.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

You've got NOS? Duude that will be hella sweet!

(Oh geez, sorry, it just slipped out after I saw that FastnFurious commercial. Sorry)

I say why not? Yes it won't be original, but there's no reason not to improve. I'm sure the factory would have made more if there was the market and money! Gopher it!

poorsha · 05-24-2003, 12:37 PM

Definately NOT. Everyone is doing it. Call me PERSONALLY and I will help you with your problem.....honestly. Trust me. I am not after all the goodies you have. Honest.

(OK. I am and so will everyone else). Build it. You WANT to do it. You NEED to do it. You CAN do it. Build it and drive it.

Eric Coffey · 05-24-2003, 02:01 PM

Yep, I'd do it! Although, it depends on how crazy you want to get. If you plan on tearing everything down and upgrading (engine, suspension, brakes, interior, etc.), then I would say sell the T and buy a nice tub/roller. This should leave you plenty of extra $ to put towards the upgrades/goodies. Also, if you do decide to buy a tub, I would look for a 1978+ one. That way, you would be ahead of the game with rear flares and galvanized body.

72 four door · 05-24-2003, 02:12 PM

If that car is in great shape keep it original there are plenty of tubs around then youll have 2 and you wont feel guilty.

MMARSH · MMARSH's Garage

If it's what you want, I say go for it. I built one also. I love the car.

The next one (I will keep the current one) I build though will not be an RS clone, to many of them around now. After seeing so many RS look cars around, I'm finding that I'm really liking the cars without the glass bumpers and ducktails and really wide tires. something that looks sorta 911Rish but with a bigger motor and more suspension.

Whatever you do, it will be a fun car.

pwd72s · 05-24-2003, 05:56 PM

As Little Richard's song title says: "RIP IT UP"

dtw · 05-24-2003, 11:06 PM

I'm going to be in the minority and say "Nay". The more original early cars I see, the more I'm starting to realize, it doesn't matter if it is a T, E, or S. We have been taking nice original early cars for granted in this country but they're quietly drying up - the supply is tight enough everywhere else in the world that "T" cars are highly esteemed. I recommend finding a bastard tub or roller and doing it.

[/flame suit on]

TYPE 901/05 · 11:56 PM

Keep your current 73T original and build an RS rep. with a new tired paint car...then you will have two cars. You will want an RS spec engine later anyway.

That is what I am trying to do. Anybody have a nice 70T coupe for sale?

Shawn.

1973911s · 05-25-2003, 06:41 AM

If the T is in good shape don't kill it. Buy a tub and work from there.

Avery · 05-25-2003, 07:26 AM

IF your 911 T body is in good shape, I'd recommend keeping it as a T and find a good 911 tub for your RS project. I'm in the process of converting my T to an RSR replica. I assumed it was fairly rusted because of all the grime and dirt. But after cleaning it up, I'm finding that the body was in fanatistic shape. I'm sort of regretting cutting it up now. One you cut in to a nice original 911, it will never be original again.

911pcars · 05-25-2003, 11:03 AM

Suggestions to start with a tub to create an RS clone is doable but it's going to be an expensive tactic. A tub is a body shell and a shell is pretty far off from a running car. In addition, a shell or even a roller without rust is going to be difficult to locate. IMO, it's going to be easier and less expensive and thus more convenient to begin with a running vehicle in good shape than to begin with an empty shell (or roller) in good shape. Purists may cringe, but that's what's going to happen unless you have a fairly large budget to work with.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

Jack Olsen · 05-25-2003, 10:54 PM

I'm with Sherwood.

Platiporsch · 05-26-2003, 07:57 PM

Im leaning towards not doing it, it is a excellent example of a early 911, i think i would regret it down the road,has anyone seen that porsche DVD filmed in 73' that shows the hand assembly of the 911 and the amount of attention and detail that goes into every car, my friend picked one up in Monterey at the R-GRUPPE run its really cool.

speeder · speeder's Garage

I've seen the film, it's great, and I love the cars. I agree w/ the non-$$ value of original cars, if it's really a special one keep it stock I guess. On the other hand, really well done RS replicas are not really bastards IMO, they can be built very closely to what the factory did in converting, (yes, converting), the original '73 RSes. Porsche as a company has a great tradition of encouraging personalisation of their cars, w/ "color to sample" option, the "special wishes" dept. later on, etc. They are almost unique in offering these options to a customer, so it really isn't blasphemy to customise a 911 if done right, IMO.

(And of course that's a BIG IF).

82SC · 05-27-2003, 02:43 AM

well it sounds like you've made a decision...

sounds like you are happy with your current car I say keep your eyes peeled and look for a beater car...sell parts you don't need to help pay for a new paint job, and start putting the RS bits in...plus starting semi-fresh will give you a chance to think of some trick suspension mods etc.. that you might not be able to do with a whole car.

plus you can really get it down to a bare-bones RS and have a spankin weekend car and use the current T as a daily...best of both worlds

MJ

dsfnctn · 05-28-2003, 07:25 PM

after owning early bone stock early cars for years I bought a nice 73RS clone.Now instead of constantly wooring about the car I spend my time at lapping days at Pacific Raceways in Seattle.
My girl friend and me both drive at the track so the car now falls into "quality time"status.
Now I get into my 66 911 and it feels like a marshmellow.
I guess Ill just cover it back up.