SWB Hotrod options??? 911R/RS/L/???

[klaucke]

I recently found a 66 911 coupe for sale, and obviously it's a short wheel base car. It needs some work but I think I may be able to get it for a fair price. Seller claims the area in front of the gas tank is rusted, as is a front fender (at the back), so I assume there's more where that came from, but its not really a problem to me.

The problem is that I want an early car (love the looks) and I'd like to make something like an RS replica. Is this possible with a SWB car? Obviously it's not flared, so are rear flares (SC size) even doable? The torsion bar access hole is obviously wrong. Is Bob Tiltons 911L a SWB car? What about 911R's? I just want something racy like those type of vehicles.

Will fibreglass panels fit a SWB car or are they made specifically for them? I think I recall seeing different front fenders listed for SWB cars in a parts catalogue than later early cars. Could later style early car fenders be put on so that I could have the slight flaring and be able to fit 6 inch rims? I would think you would need this slight flaring to match a rear with larger flares, assuming it's doable. I saw a thread recently about rear flares that use a normal bumper and really only ride above the tire, and not on the sides, I really liked the look.

I need a project, and 911's in this area aren't exactly plentiful, especially when you consider my limited budget. Basically I want to get a solid car (this seems an acception), add some flares, ducktail, S bumper, and nice paint. What issues and plausibility does a SWB pose in regard to those mods? I'm not so concerned with an RS spec motor or a monster like a 3.2 or 3.6, as I don't do any track.

Any advice and tips are greatly appreciated, if you have some pics of a similar project please post!

[vanwyk4257]

GT-Racing makes 911R front and rear bumpers as well as front fenders and rear taillight housings all in fiberglass, some of these are available also in carbon fiber. A 911R replica would look pretty cool. If you really want to do an RS replica I would probably look for a 69-73 with the longer wheelbase. Just my .02. Good luck!

[Az911]

Originally posted by klaucke

The problem is that I want an early car (love the looks) and I'd like to make something like an RS replica. Is this possible with a SWB car? Obviously it's not flared, so are rear flares (SC size) even doable? The torsion bar access hole is obviously wrong. Is Bob Tiltons 911L a SWB car? What about 911R's? I just want something racy like those type of vehicles.

I would not put SC flares on a SWB car they always seem to look out of place. I would stick with no flare of the R flare. Here is a pic of a 911R see you can see the flare

Originally posted by klaucke

Will fibreglass panels fit a SWB car or are they made specifically for them? I think I recall seeing different front fenders listed for SWB cars in a parts catalogue than later early cars.

You would need to buy SWB panels. Getty Design sell good fitting parts

Originally posted by klaucke
Basically I want to get a solid car (this seems an acception), add some flares, ducktail, S bumper, and nice paint. What issues and plausibility does a SWB pose in regard to those mods? I'm not so concerned with an RS spec motor or a monster like a 3.2 or 3.6, as I don't do any track.

I would decide if you want to build a R replica or an RS replica and then buy a car

[Jim Richards]

I agree with Steve, better to go with the 911R / vintage racecar look. Of course if it's your car...

[klaucke]

Damn now you guys have me deciding which I like better, an R or RS. I used to think RS, but the R's I've been seeing lately have got me thinking...

[klaucke]

Originally posted by Az911
I would not put SC flares on a SWB car they always seem to look out of place. I would stick with no flare of the R flare. Here is a pic of a 911R see you can see the flare



You would need to buy SWB panels. Getty Design sell good fitting parts

I would decide if you want to build a R replica or an RS replica and then buy a car

Is this flare equivalent to the stock flare on a 69-73? Doesn't look like much.

[Jim Richards]

It looks like it to me but someone else might have more info. Also, here's a great 911R resource.
http://www.pbase.com/911r

[pwd72s]

How about a pre R factory race car look? Here's a pic I took back in the 70's of a car that once raced @ Sebring...

[bob tilton]

hey klaucke,
a 66 would be a good place to start for an R replica. a 66 would have the alum engine case which would be great for a "hot" 2.0 engine.
an RS replica, in my opinion, is best based on a LWB platform.
there is only one car that i think looks great with larger than 69-73 flares on a SWB is the gulf blue and orange 68 T/R. very nice car.
real quickly to answer some of your questions:
65-68 = SWB
69-73 = LWB
SWB and LWB front fenders are specific to 65-68 and 69-73. the turn signals/horn grills are also therefore specific to the fenders. the R flares do not look like 69-73 flares but are close in size...somewhat. the previous onwer of my car added 69-73 flares on all 4 corners. gt-racing makes pretty much every piece front fenders, rear flares, both bumpers, decklid hinges, tail light panels, R lights, louvred windows, you will need to build an R replica.

you should ck out a few sites for ideas:
356shop.com
rgruppe.org
the early s reg

also search for "miggs" on this board. he built a really nice 912R that i think he is selling.

addt'l:
help build photo reference of FACTORY LIGHTWEIGHT 911

Az911 - that is a great picture. interesting to note the rear view mirror which looks like 65-67 style. in all the pics i have seen the Rs have the 68 break away style mirror.

[SandyI]

"Limited budget."

So I guess you only have $30,000 to spend on this...

[KobaltBlau]

Hmm, being a track type I would base my own personal decisions around what type of tire I could run. You can run a surprising amount of tire with an RS/SC flare setup with perfect wheel offsets.

I see guys go darn fast with 205s all around, but I think the tire width is a pretty big factor for what kind of car you will end up with, if you intend for it to be a balanced car in the end.

[Bill Verburg]

Here's a pretty nice swb w/ flares

[KobaltBlau]

Interesting item for the bedroom.

[304065]

If you buy a '66 with the intention of converting to RS-look you will have to change a LOT of stuff- flares, front fenders (SWB are different), banana arms, etc.

Also, you should not cut up a clean '66, they are getting harder to find due to the bastardization/Miami Vice/959 era of the 1980's.

Why not go with a straight-body 69-73? Then again, I'm kind of biased. . .

[klaucke]

Well, this 66 isn't a "clean" 66, and I didn't plan on doing much cutting. I'm leaning towards an R replica if I were to purchase this vehicle anyhow. I'm not looking to make an exact replica of anything, just a racy looking fun car to drive around. Accordian bumpers are pissing me off more and more, and its no use backdating a targa, you can't make a replica of anything with it. If 205 tires can be fit w/o flaring, I don't see a need to. Narrow body cars look the best anyway, even Jack agrees (I'm serious!).

Now, can 205's be fit with the stock steel rear trailing arms, etc. I assume you need greater camber for this?

Bob- great thread you mentioned, tons of super pics.

The more I think about this I'd probably be leaving a lot of stuff stock so an R might lend itself to this nicely.

[Az911]

A 225 will fit the back a non flared car with rolled fenders/more camber

[Grady Clay]

I’m going to agree that starting with a ’66, a lightweight 911R replica would be a good choice for a SWB 911.

Starting with any rust and ending up with a nice, long term serviceable street/track car, it needs to be a ground up project. That is the only way you can have it as light as reasonable, strong, and not have to go back and do something that would have been easy if done in the first place. This is no small deal.

Last week I was listening to one of my former mechanics advise a friend about this process and he explained it can take a year+ in the shop. That is not to say there is a man-year of labor but the sequence of necessary operations can take that long. He has built a dozen or so of these SWB 2.0 vintage racers in the past few years – all very successful. That is in the midst of maintaining several GT-3RSR Cup cars.

I think most on this Forum would agree that the best bargains are to buy a partially completed project. The fact that partially completed projects are available at all tells you some important considerations. Too many don’t appreciate the amount of effort, time and money these projects take. You have to be able to not blink when you find another $5K necessary. And another $5K … and so on. There is the issue of “What do you mean I can’t use the garage for two years?”

There are almost always similar reasonable good completed 911s for sale. The issues here are: 1) How good? Is it disguised junk or really good? 2) Is this exactly what you want? When you build your own, you get what YOU want.

When buying anything, get a PPI. Your brain is a far more important organ than your adrenal glands or other.

Please go take some digital images of the worst parts of the ’66 and post them. There is a huge collective knowledge base on this Forum.


OK, so much for my 2c.

Best,
Grady

[rvanderpyl]

A R interpretation is my intention. Unfortunately other expenses (building a new house) have put any actual work on hold. However I am still slowly collecting parts for when I can spend time and money on the car. (Although I did get an expanded shop outy if the deal)

My plans include adding the external oil filler (Have most of a 72 setup inclduing the tank, fender portion with the filler, filter console etc)

Changing the front suspension to a 74S so as to be able to use aluminum S calipers and Koni Shocks. (Have this already)

Gut the interior and put in light weight pieces.

Have a set of modifed R offset 17" Fuchs created so I can put 7" wheels under the R flares.

2.5 shortstroke motor. Have a 7R case that has all the updates done waiting, as well as a set of 2.7 Cylinders. Planning on twin plug heads and 9.8 pistons. Still looking at whether to get a MFI system or use Webers.

Paint it Cadillac Gold

Picture of the Shop I get out of the new house contruction:

[klaucke]

Here's a pic the seller sent me, before I go to look at it:

[Jim Richards]

That car is screaming out for someone to save it. I hope it works out for you.