My "free" Porsche

[jbscheff]

Many decades ago my father-in-law purchased a slightly used '73 911T. It was his daily driver until sometime in the mid-90's, when it began to leak rainwater into the passenger compartment. Tired of getting wet when it rained (he lived in the Seattle area), he parked the car in his driveway, intending to fix it one day. There it sat for the next several years, rotting.
Then, when I returned from OEF/OIF in 2003, my wife convinced him to give me the car and let me take a crack at it. I had wanted a Porsche since I was a little kid, and this seemed like a dream come true. The car was a basket case, however. It didn't run, leaked oil like a seive, the interior was full of water, slime, and mold, and the paint was horribly faded. But hey, the car was free, right? I should be able to fix the rust areas, replace the interior and repaint it and still come out ahead, I thought. Over the next year I began dissassembling the car.
I found a rusted out front suspension pan, rocker panel, rear seat buckets, and parcel shelf. And, of course, the corners of the front and rear window frames had disintegrated, the source of the leaks that originally sidelined the car. I also found problems with the wiring, and just about every electrical componant from the lights to the wipers didn't work. But, I can fix it all, I thought, the car was free. It'll just take a little longer.
Since many of the '73 era parts were completely rotten, or missing and replacements were expensive, I determined that it would actually be cheaper to rebuild the car in the image of an RS. So, all the rust was cut out and the metal replaced, and Carerra flares welded on. The tired and faded paint was stripped off and replaced with many many coats of Guards Red, and a new interior was installed. The skinny stamped steel wheels were replaced with some 16" Fuchs and some sticky tires. When it came back from the painters, it looked great. But it still ran like crap. The engine leaked badly sitting, smoked horribly running, and felt like I was towing a boat. I wanted more power, and besides, the car was free, right?
I looked into rebuilding the 2.4, and possibly upgrading it to a 2.7, and with its problems found that it would be cheaper to find a strong 3.0 in its place. So, out came the 2.4 and in went a 3.0 from an '81 SC. It was just what the car needed. I avoid the temptation to add up what everything has cost to this point, because I'm sure that I've long since offset the free purchase price. I think it was well worth it though. Tell me what you think.

[Wayne 962]

Looks real nice!

-Wayne

P.S. There is no such thing as a FREE Porsche - well at least I haven't seen one yet

[jester911]

Great looking car. Welcome to the forum and it is alway nice to see another longhood rescued from the rust demons.

[88-diamondblue]

Sweeeeet!

[lars63]

Welcome to the forums. That is a very nice looking ride.

[Oh Haha]

DAYAM!
Nice save, man.
Welcome aboard.

[kach22i]

I think the long nose/hood 73 is my favorite Porsche - well next to a 993 (kind of a tie).

I'm, guessing there is no carpet, interior panels and racing seats....perhaps a few fiberglass parts.

What's the whole story?

Congratulations.

[Yellowbird RS]

Nice done!
great car.

The only thing you can add is a euro H4s.
my .02

welcome on board.

[1973911s]

Very nice! What seats did you use?

Michael

[ausdilecce]

Mate,

Believe me, you still came out ahead. There are some that paid $$ up front THEN did *all* the things you did..

Plus, you get a couple of karma points for saving the soul of another 911 - can't put a price tag on that.

Good on ya

[pookie]

I have to agree with Wayne there is no such thing as a free Porsche.

That said she looks great and you did a wonderful job. Besides now the car even has a history that is relevant to you.

What does your father in law think of the free car?

[89turbocabmike]

Oh Yeah! It was definitely worth it.

[rcwaldo]

I think, due to where the car came from, and how long its been in the family, you came out waaaay ahead. Congrats! Beautiful, indeed!

[imcarthur]

Great job, great story.

Ian

[Sonic dB]

Great story, nice work!

[724doorE]

thats like being happy about free sex.... the kids sure ain't free!

Looks great, and I agree with yellowbird, put some Euro h-4's on it and it'll look even better!

[jbscheff]

My father-in-law saw it when it came out from the painters, and thought it looked great. He hasn't seen it since the engine transplant and the completion of the interior. I can't wait to give him a ride in it. I may even let him drive it!

[Steve87-911]

Sheeee-it. Nice looking ride. I'll say one thing - you sure aren't a quitter. Congrats.

[al lkosmal]

That looks like it turned out great. Forget the amount of money you put into it. All Porsches cost the same, eventually. And it's worth it.

[smestas]

Looks wayyyyyyyyyyyyy worth it!

Sweet looking ride and a great story of how she came to be.