Calling all SWB Gurus

[304065]

There comes a time in the solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short life of a Porsche enthusiast when he must reach beyond the known into the unknown. In a moment of Zen, it occurred to me that there are six types of rear banana arms; that I have owned three, and two of the remaining three are found on 911's that are known to be a handful. And I want to savor turbocharging in later life.

That cryptic intro out of the way, are there any features that are particular to the pre-'69 cars that merit particular attention? Certainly the short wheelbase. The early electrical system, with different fusebox and battery locations. Different heater controls. Odd chain boxes and valve covers.

Gurus? When YOU look at an SWB, what do you look at that's a marked difference from a 1971? What bits are NLA, that had better be there?

A thousand points of Karmic thanks for any replies.

[klaucke]

I know the front fenders are different, as are the the front turn signal housings, and the horn grilles as well. The instrumentation would have had green lettering also.

[B D]

-Pre 68 green lettering on gauges
-Rear Grill - has doubled up slats on top and bottom
-4.5 or 5.5 inch wide fuchs
-68 Breakaway mirror
-68 US smog pump
-118 fog lights (option)
-68 has two dash pieces

[barlowdo]

The very early 912's had the 3 instrument gauge but I believe all later instruments will easily fit in the three instrument. Not sure if the 3 was also used in the 911.

Wood Dash parts.

Early narrow nose radios.

68 door panels.

66 gas heater parts.

Horn grills were different on one of the year SWB's.

Also as I mentioned in another post this week, I found out that the emergency brake shoes are different for LWB.

Heating system channeled thru floor inside rocker vents.

Lousy seat belts. Some with no shoulder harness. Odd attachment points using eye bolts thru vertical rear floor. Also years ago people complained that they were situated dangerously during an accident situation.

My '66 has a steering damper.

Rear turn signal assemblies are different. At least now they sell replacement lens's.

Wiring on mine has wires that are color coated with paint !! The wires themselves are all one color with a painted surface that is the colorcoded color. It makes for removing overspray from previous owner a PITA.

Odd shaped keys which are getting harder to get blanks.

The early 912's did not have the rear motor mount welded in for a 6 cylinder upgrade.

Outside door handles.

In addition:

The rear Chrome plated Vent window latch. I know they used it on later years but it is still hard to find ones that are not pitting.

The chrome in general on these early cars is fading and pitting.

At least I see Chrome steel wheels are available and not a horrible price.

Anybody else ever notice that wall paper looking paper stuck inside the ash tray holder ? I have noticed it is different colors and textures from car to car. I am guessing it was for stopping vibrations.

Just try and find a replacement rear torsion tube after they rust out on these cars.

And as mentioned below the front ball joints. I had the three bolts share off on me on drivers side years ago. Luckily I was turning into my driveway at slow speed.

There were differences in the door window mechanism's between years. Not that later models won't fit.

Seat channel is a different width on the early cars.

-Don B

[Plavan]

Don't forget the side markers on 68 cars

[67nin11]

front suspension bushings NLA

[ttweed]

Originally posted by B D
-118 fog lights (option)

The early fog lights were Hella 128s, not 118. Still available, but pricey at $400/pr.

No one has mentioned the early strut and ball joint design, which was revised in (I believe) '69.

The dual circuit master cylinder was not introduced until 1968, and the reservoir for the single-circuit MC was located in the smugglers box instead of on the inner fender wall.

The rear ventilated rotors on the '67-68S were unique (the parking brake hat is a different size.) They are still available, but very expensive ($275/ea.)

The transaxle crossmember is unique to the early cars. The rubber mounts are vulcanized into the crossmember and cannot be replaced separately. The entire crossmember must be purchased at around $700, or a later model customized to fit.

The trim rubber under the pushbutton door handles is NLA.

The turn signal stalk and harness is NLA.

Windshield wipers parked on the right instead of left until '68.

The shift lever knobs were threaded until late '67 production, not press-fit w/ crush collar.

Opening wind wings disappeared in later production.

Early (pre-'69) sport seats are rare as hen's teeth.

Knee pad is a single piece, not split for the ashtray.

Some early production 911s used Nadella axles instead of Lobro halfshafts (mandatory when ZF LSD was installed.)

Galvanizing of the underbody sheetmetal didn't begin until 1971.

Titanium connecting rods were an $800 factory option on the '67S.

I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting at the moment.

TT

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by ttweed

Titanium connecting rods were an $800 factory option on the '67S.

wow, and the NSX guys thought they had a first for that on a production car.

[304065]

Thanks fellas. I just got the Brett Johnson book, boy is that helpful. It's good to know what's NLA. . . Does anyone know if the 100 liter tank was available in '66, or just from '67 on?

[slater]

At least I see Chrome steel wheels are available and not a horrible price.

Where did you see chrome steelies at a not horrible price??

[barlowdo]

Where did you see chrome steelies at a not horrible price??

I thought it was MidAmerica but I will look tonight.

-Don B

[TimT]

I look for rust before anything else

[Soterik]

A fair number of parts for the 67 911S are for that car only:

beneath the door deco

door panel trim in aluminum, also a small chrome cap on the interior door plunger, trim beneath rear side windows in aluminum.

wood steering wheels for the earliest 911 production had aluminum spokes instead of steel

The fog lights for the SWB cars came in two types; Hella 128's for beneath the bumper, and Hella 118's for above the bumper that fitted into the horn grill area. The latter type was offered in both driving and fog versions, and the fog came in amber or clear reflector versions.

The 100 litre tank was offered first in 1967.

In addition to the early sport seats being rare.... the factory optional racing bucket is even rarer!

regards,