Converting to "Cal" look...pointers please...

[porsche_virus]

I have a '74 with chrome trim, and I want it all black. Can the chrome be painted, or do I have to rip it off and buy all black?

[CamB]

Don't do it! Keep it '74 (unmolested ones are getting rarer by the day, not that that is important). Or swap with the dude on the Rennlist BBS looking to go the other way (black to chrome)!

Seriously, I like shiney, hence my opinion to leave it be.

But if you want to do it, they are anodised aluminium - not actually chrome. The proper way would be to get them reanodised black, second most durable would be powdercoat. Or you can paint with satin black paint.

Actual removal (and more important, replacement) of window frames isn't a fun job, and I don't think the trim in the windscreen rubber can be removed without removing the whole window (well, it probably can but you'll damage the trim because it is fragile, and I understand you can't then get it back in).

Other questions:

- how's the engine running now? still good? Hope so!
- why two porsches - what you buy?

Nevermind the other questions - I just searched your posts and found out about the '76 and so on. Kewl.

[Bill Douglas]

Great advice from Cam and I can only add to it by suggesting you lower the car by one and a half inches all round.

[nostatic]

Bill, you beat me to it.

[Zeke]

You can always strip the paint off the chrome later if you wish to restore the car to it's original character. Try to find a spray can primer by the brand name "XIM" primer/sealer. This stuff sticks to brass, bronze, glass, aluminum, plastic, masonry and fingernails. Hah! Ask me about that!

Then use your satin black. Rustoleum satin is very close to the paint on the '77 and later Targa bar. Nothing looks as good as the black anodized door handles and window trim found on the '77>later. But if you ain't got it, you ain't got it.

[porsche_virus]

Thanks for the input on the trim. Are you sure that even the window frame is not chrome? If not, that's got to be the best shine job I've ever seen on aluminum. As far as lowering the car...I've installed the bump steer kit, and lowered it down a few turns in the front. I haven't figured out which tools I need yet to lower the back, but the car looks funny right now because of the tires that are on it. They are 50-series tires on 15" rims. They should be like 185-75-15 to look normal and fill out the fender well. I'm looking for some cool BBS rims or the like because I'm going to put some fender flares on the back and get a different tail. I want that 70's turbo look with the big back end

[911pcars]

Powder coating should be more durable than anodizing. It seems that the factory black anodizing turns to a deep purple after awhile (from what I've seen).

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

[dougcl]

Another narrow body car bites the dust.

Doug
75 911S

[porsche_virus]

DOUG!!! Where did you get that turbo for your '75? It looks almost home-made...I want one! Email me with info please: kcmoore@sunflower.com

Thanks!

[expat]

Dont do it! It looks beautiful. Get the lowering or bigger wheels sorted but man that car just oozes character.

[jmz]

Keep the shiny stuff. It IS what seperates your car from every other 911 on the road. If you anodize, powder coat or paint you'll like like everyone else. Don't change the side rear view mirror either! Lowering the car will help. If you have to flare it, I personally would add RS type flares and a duck or IROC tail and call it a day.

[Kurt B]

The only problem with painting it is that eventually it will get little nicks and stuff in it and chrome spots appear and it will look mighty lame.
At the door, there is a chrome strip that goes between the carpet and the door frame. I painted mine black cause it was beat to hell.

Of course, that gets a lot of wear and tear there, but nonetheless, I did, and it has nicks now, and you seem chrome below: and yes, it looks mightly lame.

I'm going to strip it and leave it the (beat to hell) original chrome which looks better than a chrome piece the owner painted black. I think you can't go wrong on your car leaving it chrome....it looks great. Yes, it looks "dated" but they man, the Porsche everyone wants is a 73 RS ain't it?

[dd74]

Okay fellow '74 owner, I'll chime into this one:

1. I considered blacking out the chrome on my car - for about 15 seconds, and agree in kind with everyone who has posted before me: I wouldn't black it out for a second. The 74s look much better with the chrome; gives them a classic look that isn't available on S or Carrera models, and, of course, later models like the SC. The chrome compliments the updated style the impact bumpers give the car.

2. Oh, don't flare it: I considered this as well. But for $2.5K, all you're getting is an inch-wider rim, and maybe something wider than 225s under the fenders. Realistically, in a 50-series tire, maybe even a 55 series, you can fit 225s under the rear with 15x7s.

3. Unflared P-cars with impact bumpers are becoming rare these days. It seems within the last year, I'm getting a lot more attention - even offers from some to purchase my car as I drive throughout L.A. I'd leave it alone, frankly. Stock always looks better before a whole bunch of flares and spoilers and stuff is put on. My only suggestion: a ducktail and lip spoiler, 15x7 Fuchs (BBS wheels can't hold a candle to Fuchs), and lower it.

[k9handler]

stay original...stay narrow...and make her a sleeper!!!

[bigchillcar]

Ditto. Keep it '74, man. The '74 is special in and of itself...probably the best example available of the link between the old and the new cars...no thermal reactors, the best exhaust note (if it hasn't been changed), chrome look trim and headlights tied to the past...but it has the CIS, impact bumpers and more creature comforts of the later cars. I never...ever...find a nicer example of this variety where I live. I agree with the others...if you want a different car, buy a different car. Many of us want to see preserved examples of fine mid-year cars. Go '74!
Ryan

[porsche_virus]

Well, you certainly are an opinionated bunch when it comes to chrome trim! After much deliberation, I've decided to leave it alone. I will lower it as much as I can and still have some steering control. I like the idea of a sleeper....hence my recent decision to transplant the 3.0L from my Targa into the coupe. I'm going to put the '74 2.7L that leaks and smokes into the Targa and sell it for whatever I can get. That '74 coupe is going to FLY!

I pulled both cars into the garage last night, cranked up the radio, and went to work. I am now going to sleep. Will keep you posted when the surgery is complete.

[juanbenae]

my sc has the chrome trim and i enjoy the unique look of it compared to other sc & carreras. mine was a case of being one of the 1st sc's delivered to the US and it got some "leftover lay around" parts. it made the h-4 install alot less painful too, no paint match.

[widebody911]

• Empi 5 spokes
• Kleber 135's on the front
• wink mirror
• front end 4" lower than the rear
• scalloped pastel paint job
• velour interior
• white window rubber
• paint the windows black on the inside to simulate limo tint
• shaved door handles
• stinger exhaust sans insert
• remove engine lid
• bolt license plate to fan shroud
• chrome running boards (in contrast to de-chroming everything else)
• chrome fan pulley & coil cover
• see-thru distributor cap & yellow spark plug wires
• 48 IDA's
• chrome air cleaners
• Vitaloni "turbo" side mirrors
• "Mega Hits of the 80's" Vols 1 thru 25
• mullet
• chick with big hair and leg warmers
• Hot VW's & VW Trends stickers

(BTDT, except for the mullet)

[nostatic]

lower it a tad and get the paddles polished (see another thread). that with the red paint and chrome trim will make it quite sassy.

[Reg]

... good move on ditching that targa! Coupe's Rule!