What is the best option when restoring 911?

[bigrubberjeep]

I have a 5K budget per year,

I have access to a

69-71 911S body (stripped) for $2000
74 911E body (stripped) for $1500
68 912 body (complete minus engine and tranny) for $1000.00


And I have access to a 68 2.0 (2.2 converted) engine for $3000 with no carbs or exhaust


Should I put something together my self (if so, what from the list above?)

Or should I hold out and be patiant and find one that is complete and running to work on and restore?

[Tim Walsh]

Out of all of those I'd go for the 68 and try and find a different engine and tranny. There are better deals for drivetrains out there.

Are any of those bodies rust free?

beware though I've spend $1K on my car getting it running and it was complete.

[Jim Richards]

big, it depends on your interests. Do you prefer the short wheel base cars (e.g. the 68 912)? Ddo you like the styling of the 74 or the pre-74 cars? How much wrenching do you intend to do? Are you getting a car for a resto project, a weekend driver, a daily driver, a full or part-time track car, or a concours garage queen? Hopefully the answers to these questions will lead you towards the right choice.

[bigrubberjeep]

The 911S body has some rust in the rear dash (under the window) panel and some more rust under the body with 1 hole about the size of a baseball. (all it needs is new floor boards)


the 68 is actually the most "rust free" of them all,just a little rust by the rear window seal and a litle rust in the floor jack slot. (nothing major) except for a ding on the front driver fender

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Careful, careful...I restored (and amply modified) an '83 SC that I bought for $10,500 and ultimately put $64,000 into it. (No nasty comments, please, I knew perfectly well what I was getting into, I can afford any new Porsche made, and I did it purely for the fun of it.)

Stephan

[bigrubberjeep]

Well jim, to be honest, I don't know yet. I would love to have a restored 911 (motor) with soem decent horsepower, my budget doesnt allow me to really get it track ready.

However I would love to join a vintage race some day. (if possible)

[Hetmann]

I'd go for the most rust/damage free assuming they all have clear titles. A salvage title would be less desireable. All things being equal, I'd go for the long wheelbase long hood 911s because it is stripped and you would have to do that to the 912 anyway. This will be a big project and could easily eat up 20K to finish with mechanicals and paint.

[bigrubberjeep]

Not sure, I wil have to check the titles, assuming all salvaged, which way should I go with?

[caliber60]

Don't do it. If you added all the cost, you will be spending way out of market price just to get the basic configuration right. It's better be patient and wait for the car that's already restored, especially these owners claimed "I will never sell my car" who has put so much in the car but sell to you at market price. Let other owners spend all the effort and $$$ and you get to enjoy their work.

[304065]

68 912 = good for vintage racing, SWB, good shell for 911R clone (but not really, because you will replace the body with fiberglass anyway)

74 911E = No such animal. 911 or S that year

71 S= Great all-around machine for vintage, PCA, but probably not competitive with S motor in G-class, could be good basis for RS clone in E-Class.

I'd go with the '71: easiest to convert to 6-cyl, long wheelbase for better handling, good parts availability and interchangability with all pre-74 cars.

It all depends on whether you want a CAR or a PROJECT. At your current budget, this will be a project for the next two years, whereas, if you saved your initial capital, you could be into a complete, running car in a year and a half (albeit on the low end, a "driver"). But you wouldn't have as much fun or know the machine in the way you can only when you have held every part in your hands. My first car was a 2002 about which I could make such a claim: I have never felt as close to any machine, even the current stable.

[Randy Webb]

Do you want an expensive hobby assembling the cars, or do you want to wait 2-3 years a buy a nice dirveable car?

[bigrubberjeep]

I just want a Porsche damit!!!!!!!


I sold my 67 912 when I was flat broke because it had horrible compression and was not running more then 10 miles without a new problem arising, ( and I could use the money then)
now I regret it and I am ditermined to get one again!

[Jim Richards]

you will be rewarded for your patience.

[bigrubberjeep]

Ok,maybe it is time for me to be honest with my self, maybe I should be patiant and buy one when I have more money saved up, I'll buy one that HAS been restored and is complete.

In the mean time I guess I could get back in to go Kart's if I want the thrill of wrnenching and racing (since my 89 Wrangler is all done)

[n8marx]

Sell the Wrangler and buy a complete Porsche with the proceeds?

[bigrubberjeep]

I apreciate the adivice to sell the Wrangler, but asking me to sell the Wrangler is as painfull as when I sold the 67 912


( I would hate to regret selling the wrangler too, it's in great shape and runs like new with it's 137K miles and all, still glossy paint too!)


-----On second thought, maybe someone out there is willing to pay good money for my jeep, I guess everything does have it's price----------------------

[Hetmann]

Keep the Wrangler and be patient unless you have the garage space and want a project. If you want a project, then you can have your p-car but you won't be driving it for a long time.

[billwagnon]

look around for a mostly running early 911 (I'm assuming you want to go early) that is mostly complete - for $5000

at that price it may have been abused or it may be blowing smoke etc. - avoid rust like the plague, or go see dtw's website

rebuild the engine next year, or the year after, spend next year's $5000 on engine parts/work, or a rebuilt engine that you can trust

if the bodies you are looking at are stripped (no interior?) putting a car together from nothing sounds a mighty big project

it sounds like what you want is a driveable 911, and can put some sweat equity into it

[widebody911]

The cost to assemble any one of those cars will be greater than the cost of a decdent running version.

[bigrubberjeep]

I think billwagnon hit the nail on the head. Thanks for helping me see reality, maybe the "complete" reconstruction could wait a few years after I have at least one mild refurbed running 911 under my belt that just requires minor TLC and little engine work