1978 911 SC - backdating

[Pc007]

Hi guys,

thinking about backdating a 79 SC to 2.7RS ou 2.5 ST, looking for body kits and there's a lot of choices...so I was wondering if anyone with experience with this transformation would let me know which are the best fitting/ quality kits out there to do the job!


thank you!

[rattlsnak]

Looking for fiberglass or steel kits or factory parts?

[Pc007]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Looking for fiberglass or steel kits or factory parts?

Hi Mark!

still didn't decide...would go with fiber for lightness...steel for originality... whats your advice?

thanks

[rattlsnak]

Steel/factory is obviously much better in both fitment and appearance but glass parts are certainly cheaper but also take a lot more work/labor to get them to fit right... A lot of people go with glass on the rear and steel on the front, so that's an option also. I've done several cars in all different configurations and if I had to do it again, I would go that route. Cut out the center reflector section and get a 1 piece glass rear bumper and you're done with the rear. The front is more intensive because of the hood/center latch panel but are you planning on leaving the SC flairs or adding the wider front and rears flares also?

[Pc007]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Steel/factory is obviously much better in both fitment and appearance but glass parts are certainly cheaper but also take a lot more work/labor to get them to fit right... A lot of people go with glass on the rear and steel on the front, so that's an option also. I've done several cars in all different configurations and if I had to do it again, I would go that route. Cut out the center reflector section and get a 1 piece glass rear bumper and you're done with the rear. The front is more intensive because of the hood/center latch panel but are you planning on leaving the SC flairs or adding the wider front and rears flares also?

Thanks for the feedback, If I decide ST I’m going front and rear flares! The doubt is always weight, are the metal ones much more heavier?

[Tremelune]

You'll find that not all fiberglass is created equal. If you buy from Getty (and maybe TRE), they'll fit better, look better, and last. Fiberglass/FRP will always take some work, but metal tends to as well. Nothing will be "original" regardless of what it's made of...

The real bit is the prep (as per usual). Getty has this whole document about preparing the FRP before paint to ensure it doesn't move and spider over time. I have strong doubts that most are doing this. Fiberglass has a stigma, but it's mostly born of the 20th century when people threw it on race cars. I had a very fiberglassed car, and I had to take a magnet and look behind panels to know for sure on some panels.

I'd go fiberglass for everything but the rear flares, but I would be sure to pay someone with real skill to fit and finish (I'd also opt for a steel headlight bucket insert). I could see doing steel fenders up front, in no small part due to lightbox fitment (and because weight up front "costs" less). They sell fiberglass longhoods that fit up to the SC front clip and latch as well. Bumpers, lids...I dunno that it's worth the weight beyond being able to say "all-steel conversion" in an ad.

[Sebscst]

GT Racing fiberglass all the way around. The rears are full quarters. No big issues on fitment. Quality seems great. ST body looks great on these cars.

[ian c2]

No tb holes ?

On some parts the weight saving is not as great to justify the work getting gf to fit .

[David 23]

On my '78 SC, we used new early style steel front fenders so the turn signal boxes were already fitted properly, and a fiberglass front bumper/spoiler. We tried a fiberglass hood, but the fitting was not satisfactory, so went back to a steel hood. The rear is an alloy deck lid, and one piece fiberglass rear bumper. The flares are still SC sized, but reworked fender lips to a rounder profile. R Tailights are fabricated in steel so they could be welded and blended into the quarter panels without fear of later cracking. With extensive lightening elsewhere in the car, it still weighs under 2200 lbs., so the steel panels didn't have too much effect on the total weight. If I was doing it again, I'd do the exact same thing.

[Rodsrsr]

I already had steel rear quarters from a wide body conversion but wanted the correct wheel arch for the front so I went with FG front fenders, hood and bumper and left the rear steel.

[RDM]

How do you backdate an SC?

This is how you backdate an SC:
Project Heavy Metal - an all steel classic, remastered

And even if you don't have the mad skills and perfectionist's eye that Jonny does, it's a fascinating read full of great ideas.

[kwah]

I'm in the beginning stages of an ST conversion on my 82 SC. I bought steel front early fenders and steel ST F/R arches from Restoration Design. Front/rear bumpers (Fbrglass), center rear panel (Steel), lights, gaskets, brackets from Design911.UK and a lot of parts from Pelican. I'm keeping the short hood and welding the extension (Stuttgart Classica sourced).

Parts wise, I'm into it for about 15K. A lot of that has to do with 19% VAT/strong Euro and pound to dollar value in Europe. If I were stateside probably 12K. I've got about 90% of the parts. I'd be happy to share the list if anyone is interested.

Progress status: I cut the rear reflector out and have mounted the rear. I'm waiting on welding the arches before I button it up for final fitment. I'm about to start the front. I'll be starting a thread specific to my build soon.

Note on fitment: For the rear, it's a hybrid of fiberglass rear bumper sides and a center steel panel. I got these brackets that were supposed to make it easy by allowing adjustment independent of the panel vs bumper. I cut them apart so I could adjust more. I had to do a fair amount of fab to get it correct and I still am not happy. I'll get it right but it takes a lot of work. The center panel is a repro by "Retro line"... complete garbage. I've ordered a OEM Porsche one that I will swap out when it arrives. I'm glad I went with Resto design for the arches and fenders that appear to be high quality but more to follow.

[Sebscst]

Originally Posted by ian c2

No tb holes ?

On some parts the weight saving is not as great to justify the work getting gf to fit .

Nope,full coilover suspension .

[KEvans]

@kwah ... did you finish your backdate?