Ultimate Backdating Thread

[74USCarrera]

Nice looking ride Jack.

Originally Posted by jackb911

My '87, before & after it morphed into a '74 RS...

[Jens]

I use the rubber tie downs for the same reason, just easier. I also made a cable attachment secondary lock that ties into, and releases with, the hood lock and handle inside the cabin. Adds to security too.

[Joe Bob]

The cut on the sheet metal behind the rear bumper is a bit traumatic....I used a sawzall but I'm a little nutz.

[drb930]

I need some steel front turn signal buckets......

[techweenie]

Been away from this thread a long time...

On the latch release for the fiberglass long hood with later latch position (Series 900, TRE) the solution is to take the upper latch release and weld in a section to lengthen it approximately 18-20mm. This gives (most people) enough access to reach under and undo the catch. There may be a cleverer way, but sometimes the simple solutions are best.

[Bristol]

Okay, I've done searches and I've read all of this thread, but I still have not found the answer to a question I have: why are the backdates all done to go back to the 69-73 style cars? Could one backdate a 74+ car to the SWB 65-68 style? I assume the answer is that fiberglass fenders are only available for the 69-73 LWB cars, so that is what people use.

Let me frame a hypothetical scenario - let's say a guy has a '75 911 Targa that he got cheap, dirt cheap, and now he's restoring it. But he really doesn't care for the impact bumper style of the '75. It's got the chrome window trim and flip out quarter windows of the early cars, but those bumpers just suck. This guy would really just like to have an early 911, but could never dream of owning one at the current costs.

So then let's say this same guy gets a '66 912, again cheap, dirt cheap. This '66 is toast, the floor pans are gone, the interior is trashed, and there's no drive train. HOWEVER, let's say it does have good steel fenders, bumpers, long hood, horn grills, signals, etc. Heck, let's dream and even suppose it has a steel 911S front bumper!

Okay, so this guy hypothetically could follow the same methods used to backdate to 69-73 LWB to backdate his '75 to an even earlier SWB car (obviously it would still have small flares and it would still be LWB, so it wouldn't be a perfect backdate, but to 99.9999% of the population they would have no idea except that it looked like a cool, old Porsche). In the end he'd have a STEEL backdated SWB 911 and it would cost him (besides his own labor, but he welds and does body work, so no biggie) ummm like the cost for paint (which is needed any way) and maybe $20 for the hood tie downs. Heck he could even throw on the '66 rear trunk to get that cool, old metal grill...

This guy would be crazy not to use the steel parts from the 912 to backdate, right? Or do those longer horn grills on the SWB front fenders not fit an impact bumper body, even with trimming?

Kirk

[Joe Bob]

Ya use what is available.....not saying that you couldn't use what you suggest......you can do anything if you throw enuff money at it.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Ya use what is available.....not saying that you couldn't use what you suggest......you can do anything if you throw enuff money at it.

Like Mike said above, you backdate to what you want. Most of us like the 1972-73 era and thats what we went to...

You like 1966, have fun!

[Gucci_MD]

[kalawao]

Hi Pelicans,

I've read all threads here but couldn't find an answer to my question:

I am backdating a 83 SC, bought fiberglas front fender and a fiberglass hood (and a rear fiberglas bumper), everything fits beautifully.

Now I am in the market for a front bumper and people from a local shop told me, that the early front bumper won't fit b/c its about half an inch to short and not as wide as the SC (or 2.7 RS which i bought) front fender. The S bumper will fit probably (what an answer) so the only one that surely fits is the RS bumper.

Can you guys help me out with that? Which one fits and which doesn't?! And add question, what do I have to do to make the early front bumper fit (in case it doesn't)?

Thanks guys ..

[flyn-hawn]

some of the different looks of my just finished backdate, that is for sale as well

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by kalawao

Hi Pelicans,

I've read all threads here but couldn't find an answer to my question:

I am backdating a 83 SC, bought fiberglas front fender and a fiberglass hood (and a rear fiberglas bumper), everything fits beautifully.

Now I am in the market for a front bumper and people from a local shop told me, that the early front bumper won't fit b/c its about half an inch to short and not as wide as the SC (or 2.7 RS which i bought) front fender. The S bumper will fit probably (what an answer) so the only one that surely fits is the RS bumper.

Can you guys help me out with that? Which one fits and which doesn't?! And add question, what do I have to do to make the early front bumper fit (in case it doesn't)?

Thanks guys ..

When I did my 83SC (still wish I had not, but it was fun at the time) I put a fiberglass S bumper and it fit fine... Width wise anyway. Some parts fo the metal brackets had to be cut on the car to accomodate it.

[kalawao]

thanks greg.. anyone tried ST front bumper?!

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by kalawao

Hi Pelicans,

I've read all threads here but couldn't find an answer to my question:

I am backdating a 83 SC, bought fiberglas front fender and a fiberglass hood (and a rear fiberglas bumper), everything fits beautifully.

Now I am in the market for a front bumper and people from a local shop told me, that the early front bumper won't fit b/c its about half an inch to short and not as wide as the SC (or 2.7 RS which i bought) front fender. The S bumper will fit probably (what an answer) so the only one that surely fits is the RS bumper.

Can you guys help me out with that? Which one fits and which doesn't?! And add question, what do I have to do to make the early front bumper fit (in case it doesn't)?

Thanks guys ..

Depends on what fenders you used. If standard profile, you're getting bad advice - the bumper fits. If the fenders you bought were flared, you need to find a fiberglass early bumper for flared fenders. You'll have to shop around.

The bumper brackets need to be notched to fit the early fenders, which presumably you've done. To mount the early bumper, I welded flanges to the tub to set the top of the bumper on, then fabbed up brackets for the other mounts. It's pretty simple and straightforward. There are several ways to do it.

[kalawao]

well, the fenders are RS 2.7 style (just like SC) .. so which ones are the right ones?

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by kalawao

well, the fenders are RS 2.7 style (just like SC) .. so which ones are the right ones?

There is no RS front fender. They are just standard 69-73 front fenders. So you need a standard front bumper - steel OE or fiberglass.

[kalawao]

so the 69-73 front fenders and the RS front fenders were the same?!

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by kalawao

so the 69-73 front fenders and the RS front fenders were the same?!

Yep...You can get an S or RS bumper to mount, but like stated above, the mounting will need to be fabricated. Not a difficult task.

[obscene]

Is there a definitive source yet for the weld on front turn signal piece?

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by obscene

Is there a definitive source yet for the weld on front turn signal piece?

My opinion: 1.) cut out sections from original donor fenders. 2.) patch pieces from various sources - TRE for certain