Just bought a new '72 Targa...AKA How NOT to buy a 911, plus a long story of my cars

[Rufblackbird]

Hi all,
My name is Jeff, and I've been on this board for quite some time now, back when the Pelican 911 BBS was just a baby. All the way back when both Jack and Warren hadn't reached 1000 posts yet. Unfortunately, some of the "cool" guys on the board back then are no longer here (Andras Nagy for one, and Jens Wendorff (sp?), the first one that I remember backdating his '76 (i think) to an early 911. Of course there's Roland...) Since there was a period which I didn't come to the board (when the 911 just sat and I was just spending WAY too much time on this board) and there are a LOT new faces...err...screenames, I'll give a short intro to myself. I'm 23, single, and a Porscheholic.

I bought my first 911, a '76 911 when I was 18, a few months after I went back home from basic training for the Army Guard. I never cared much for Hondas and Acuras, the cars that were rising in popularity among the young adults to modify. Yes...I did read about all the warnings for the '74-'77 deadly 2.7s. But yet, I made the big mistake of falling in love with the first one that I looked at, and bought it. It wouldn't have been so bad, if my dad hadn't decided to let me borrow the $5,000 the Porsche mechanic was asking for the car. At least the bank probably would've denied my application (being 18 and having not much of a credit and job history), and I would've been saved from this big mistake. I figured since this was the Porsche mechanic's customer car, a PPI wouldn't be necessary, no?

There were telltale signs of trouble, like the rusted A-pillars...and the wet smell in the car, but I just would not do without it. So, on October 18, 1999, I drove the 911S home. This was the third or fouth time I had driven stick (previous times were lessons from a friend in a Mazda truck) and got home with a stupid grin on my face.

The first day that I went to look at it






Cleaning the car a few days after it got home

[Rufblackbird]

After having it for a few months, I decided that the headlights just didn't look "right" to me. So I went on ebay, and spent way too much for a set of H4s and PIAA Super White bulbs. I think I paid about $400 for the headlight/bulb combo. It looked awesome after I put it on. However, I noticed that the headlight bucket had a rust hole right where one of the flanges were where the US spec headlights screwed into. Even though I was very inexperienced with brazing, I had seen it in auto class and figured this would be cake. And this catastrophe is what caused this car to go downhill, to reveal the inner evil that the Porsche mechanic had hidden from me.

Of course, I was young and stupid at the time. Little did I think about the effect of heat on paint. Nor was I experienced with MAPP and Oxygen gas put together. So, the paint started to peel and crack, and I decided to sand down the fender. The paint was tired, so I figured, what the hell? The further down towards the door I went, to more I was shocked. There was body filler....EVERYWHERE.

Good times




Not so good times

[Rufblackbird]

Yes...I was pretty horrified. I decided to go ahead and strip the entire car, and just temporarily spray paint whatever section I had already sanded. By now, my parents weren't exactly too happy with what I was doing to this car...





Dents and patched panels everywhere




I actually liked this paint scheme...a 2 hour spray can job by me and a friend the day prior to a cruise

[Rufblackbird]

A year or two went by, and without a steady job, I no longer could afford the insurance on it. I put it in storage, and my parents agreed to let me use the rear lanai (patio) to do any work that I needed to. While they were on a trip, I bought a '74 Targa that had great seats, an extra dash, and was really cheap. It just didn't run. I can't seem to find pictures of it, at least not digital ones. I couldn't get it to start in time, and my parents weren't too happy when they came back. I sold the targa to a local PCA member who just sold his pristine silver 911SC to buy a house, and was looking for a project. I made some money, and scored a great dash and swapped the seats with mine. I then started stripping the car down, and it wasn't a pretty sight.

The bad and ugly

[Rufblackbird]

After almost a year, my parents decided they wanted their space back, so I had to move the car back to the front. It was really loud running it without a muffler! I think I scared every neighbor when I started it up with just headers and nothing else. For a few months in the summer of 2001 or 2002 (don't have the paperwork with me) I brought it back onto the street, with it looking barely street legal. Unfortunately, brake fluid also ages (never bothered to change it when I had it sitting for a few years) and one day after drill with the guard someone cut in front of my friend's Honda and I smashed right underneath him, killing both my precious lights. Once again, it was back in storage, as the $1000 I had to pay to fix his car was devastating...especially since I had to sell the Webers I bought for the car. This is what it looks like now...just sitting...and waiting...but sounding great thanks to the dual in dual out Borla muffler. Well...my neighbor didn't think so.





sound clip of exhaust and smoke my neighbor hates
http://www.nocturnal-motorsports.com/images/startup.mpg

[Rufblackbird]

Now a few years has passed, and I am now in the Air Guard (transferred over about a year and half ago) and now in Aberdeen, Maryland for aircraft metals technology training (AKA machining and welding). For those who know the area, I was here in 1999 in the summer also, but at Edgewood for Army AIT. The plan for me was to buy an early 911 targa, do a roadtrip to the west coast after I'm done here, and eventually turn it into an early 911 Speedster with the skills that I will learn here. I couldn't find once suitable and affordable before I came, so I ended up buying a '80 VW Rabbit pickup instead. Since I was going to do a roadtrip after I finish here, I figured a truck would be the next best thing. Well...let's just say the truck is a wee bit too small. Fun, but way too cramped for me. Plus the rust on the floorpan was unbelievable. Let's just say eBay isn't the greatest place to buy a car sight unseen, even though this one didn't turn out too bad. This 2.0 16v truck, along with another '81 Sportruck, is now for sale.

After a two months of thinking, debating, and looking at Jack's BBII and Paul's pristine '72S, I knew I had to have a '72. I kept looking and searching everywhere that I knew of...Rennlist, the Pelican BBS, Collector Car trader, Hemmings...and even evilBay. I called USAA (bank) and tried to see if they would lend me money. To my greatest surprise, they approved my loan. I'm a very impatient person, which isn't the best quality when looking for a car. I searched everywhere and posted want ads everywhere. A Pelican BBS member sent me a PM on his beautiful yellow targa, but it was just too nice for me. All of a sudden, on Father's Day a widebody '72 Targa popped onto eBay. It was the same sky blue (don't know the official name for it) that my '74 Targa was, but it was converted to a 964 turbo look. There were only two pictures, and it was a 3 day listing.

The only two pics on eBay

[Rufblackbird]

The ad was surprisingly simple. "1972 911 Targa. 92000 Miles. Manual. 4-cyl (yes that's right). Clear title. Black Interior. Blue Exterior. Inspected (don't know what this was supposed to mean). Father's Day special!!! 911 Targa. 3.0 motor with a whale tail. Momo steering wheel, front Bra, car cover included, Sony CD player with 10 CD capacity, VR rated wheels, original Porsche rims. The car is in good shape, All instruments work, Driven every weekend..."

I thought about this for two long and hard days. Finally I said screw it...it's a '72, and it's a widebody. With the 3.0 and 915 trans, the parts alone would be worth it. I punched in the max amount that I was approved for at lunchtime, and when I got back from school I was both relieved and worried. Relieved that I finally have a '72 Targa widebody, and worried about everything else. I had sent emails to the seller during the auction, requesting more pics (I had to see the interior and make sure the right oil filler was still there!) and the VIN to verify what it was. I never received a response. After winning the auction I sent an email to the address shown by eBay. The day after, I received an email from another address, with a different eBay screename. I was getting worried. After getting all the info, with the VIN I found out it was indeed a '72 T Targa. Finally we arranged for me to pick it up 300 miles north east from here in Connecticut last Wednesday. I was excited, but worried, nonetheless.

Wednesday rolled around, and I had arranged another student to drive me to the airport to catch a 5:00 flight. We finish school at 3, so I wasn't worried. Until he didn't show up until 3:50, as they had to do an end of course critique, plus they had to stay and find a missing set of keys. By the time we get to BWI, it was 4:40. After waiting forever in the security line and the guards double checking my military ID (mine still said "National Guard" on it, even though I had orders to prove I was on active duty status), I made it to the gate. At 4:59. I missed the flight. The next flight was at 7:45, which meant I'd get to Connecticut at 8:50, and I would still have time to drive back to Aberdeen and still get some sleep. But due to the bad weather in Houston, the flight was delayed 45 minutes. I was devastated. By the time we arrived at Connecticut, it was 9:45. By the time I got to the meeting place, it was 10:20pm.

As the taxi drove up, I just had to smile. The car was beautiful... The owner was really cool, and he gave me a bunch of receipts, which I later found out that it's got a rebuilt tranny from last year, and a lot of money spent on maintenance and sounds. The interior wasn't bad at all, and the car ran great. I was happy, until he said the motor was a 2.7, from a '75 or something. It had a orange shroud, so I figured he might be wrong. I'm glad he was, after I checked the numbers when I got back. It was a long trip down I-95, and worse after I missed a cutoff and went straight into Manhattan, which REALLY sucked, especially at 1am. Eventually I made it back on base at 4:20. I know I couldn't go to sleep, as class starts at 6. If I did, I might not wake up. That day, I was a walking zombie. I'm glad I didn't kill myself nearly falling asleep at the wheel coming back, nor do anything stupid near the machine lathe.

[Rufblackbird]

I must admit...this was the biggest risk I have ever taken, but I'm glad that I bought this car. It's definately fun, though the glasspack muffler is annoying me and probably robbing it of some power. I'm looking for an used Boral dual in dual/quad out now. It didn't handle that well, until I found out the reason yesterday as the tires were at about 16psi front, and 19 psi rear. That's not good. Anyway, enough babbling, here are the pics, with more to come:

It's not perfect, but I love it!
















Thanks to all that actually read through this...can you tell I'm pretty bored on the 4th of July? Anyone want to trade steering wheels? I was gripping the wheel pretty tightly trying to concentrate on the road coming back to MD and my hands hurt...

And of course...this car will one day be back to a long hood.

[svandamme]

looks like a nice car, but also looks like everything has been updated to a later model car? lot's of work if you'll be setting it up for long hood again

[Rufblackbird]

yeah, it's mostly fiberglass...the flares, fenders, bumpers...it shouldn't be that difficult. I think the only real hard part is figuring out how to restore the rear, right underneath the decklid.

btw...your targa is beautiful!

[Rufblackbird]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Hey Jeff, nice update.

To think, I can say I knew you when you were as tall as my knee! Well, maybe a bit taller.

Have fun with the new car, although does this mean the '76 is going to be "on the lanai" forever?

Hahaha...true, Brian, we've "known" each other for quite some time. I'm gonna have to drop by when I get to the west coast early Sept.!

Nah...the '76 is off the lanai...for now. Eventually it'll be reconstructed...though I'm not sure if I'll update the look, or backdate it. Either way, it's going to be a street legal race car. And why not? It's lost a lot of weight already, thanks to mother nature.

[Rufblackbird]

after the welding and machining skills I've learnt here...SURE! Anything is fixable...just a matter of time and money.

I'll weld in a roll cage eventually, so maybe I'll just cut all the rust out and leave the hole for enhanced weight loss

PM me your contact info, Brian...I'll be sure to give you a ring.

[mike-s-car-go]

the 76 must be alot lighter without all that pesky meatal to weight it down.

[DByers]

Great read on this 4th of July morning. Thanks for sharing and good luck with the 72.

[techweenie]

Congratulations. Although there is not much "72-ness" left in that Targa, it looks like you have a lot less work to do to make for an enjoyable driver. And after your long struggle with teh '76, I'll bet that's a relief.

I've never seen an a-pillar eaten away like that before. If I were you, I'd be tempted to buy a nice clean shell and move all the parts off that '76.

Happy 4th!

[Rufblackbird]

Yes, it definitely doesn't look like a '72. But it doesn't matter...the title and vin says it all, and thanks to it I got historical plates! It's a big savings over regular registration, which is really good since I'm leaving at the end of August!

I have been tempted to transfer everything over to a better body, but since my parents do not believe that I will be able to put that car together, I intend to prove them wrong, no matter what.

[Zeke]

Congrats, Jeff. I have seen your want ads over the months and we have exchanged emails on same when I knew of a car. You've been wanting a '72 and now you've got it.

Now you can join Jack O's 72 gruppe, the Vierte Tür Klub.

I look forward to seeing you and your car when you get to SoCal on one of our runs or at a function such as the upcoming (now called) Ventura Autofest.

[nostatic]

funny Milt, but looking at the pictures of the first car, for some reason I thought of you

I think there is only one course of action with the 76: cut the A pillars off and make a speedster.

[pwd72s]

Finally, I got all the pics to download! Whew! Jeff, when you post pics, you post pics! I'll admit to the board that I tried to talk you out of buying this car. But now that you have? I hope it works out well for you. With a small CIS injected engine under that lid, I'd suggest you dump the "turbo" emblem before you get called on it. Maybe buy a "3.6" emblem for the day it becomes real? Otherwise, I'm glad you're having fun...see you in September?

[Rufblackbird]

Actually, I have A pillars that were cut from a cab...was debating on welding that on, but now that you mention it....

Yes Paul...I know...that turbo badge has been bugging me, but I don't like the two holes it'll leave. I'll probably get "targa" for it Buying cars is one thing, but for me, buying another 911 is something special...hence the pics. Of course, Paul...I'll see you sometime in the first two weeks of September!