Question About Rear Flares

[GRAYBEARD]

Hello all,
I am currently trying to sell a 1977S. When I first bought the car I questioned the seller about the rear flares. I was told that the flares were available in the latter part of the model run. When the car was repainted, I checked for rust and straight body panels. Everything was in order and there were no obvious seams where flares were added. I have the pictures which were posted here about 5 years ago (no-one said anything about the flares at that time). Now I have been asked by three different prospective buyers if the flares were original. I told them all that they were, but, I'm trying to be honest about everything and after looking at quite a few other 77s, I cannot find others with the same rear flares. What's up?

[Joe Bob]

77 was the model year transition to the SC....post your VIN # or look it up and see when it was built.

Since it already has been converted to a cab...it SHOULD translate to a targa as the 83 was the first year the cab was offered from Porsche.

Check the engine # too...

should read 911/84 or 85 at 165hp....if I remeber correctly the only difference in S models from 75-77 were trim and suspension mods. HP was the same for all models.

[Eric Coffey]

If I were a betting man, I would say they are aftermarket. As MikeZ mentioned, it has had some serious modification work already (cab conversion). Plus, I'm not sure what you have done since purchasing it (other than the stated re-spray), but just from the above pics it looks like it has an updated interior, larger Fuchs wheels, newer (`87+) rear reflector, black trim (should be chrome), and aero mirrors (at least in the top pic).

Sharp color BTW.

[Joe Bob]

Originally posted by Eric Coffey
If I were a betting man, I would say they are aftermarket. As mike Z mentioned, it has had some serious modification work already (cab conversion). Plus, I'm not sure what you have done since purchasing it (other than the stated re-spray), but just from the above pics it looks like it has an updated interior, larger Fuchs wheels, newer (`87+) rear reflector, black trim (should be chrome), and aero mirrors (at least in the top pic).

Sharp color BTW.

"IF" I was paranoid.....which I is...."I" would think at first glance that it's an SC that found an early VIN due to an accident, smog issues in another state or something else as fishy....I'd start checking numbers on the engine, trans and search around for other tell tales......but that's just ME.....

That looks awfully like my ride (83 SC cabriolet) before I started on body mods. The TOP is obviously aftermarket....but the body mods.....

[GRAYBEARD]

Thank you for the replies,
MikeZ, when I get home< I will check the vin#.
Eric, all of the items you mentioned I was aware of, I did the aero mirrors, rear reflector, wheels, and interior, but, as I said, the flares showed no evidence of being add-on when media blasted down to bare metal. It's puzzling and I just don't want to misstate the facts when speaking to prospective buyers. I guess I'm just going to have to say I don't know.

[GRAYBEARD]

I do know that when I first purchased the car, I checked all of the numbers and they indicated a '77. I know the top was done by Califorina Custom Convertible Conversions from a receipt I have with all of the other receipts on the car. I have all of the receipts dating back to the first service at 899 miles.

[Joe Bob]

OK...so it was a CA car originally? The 2.7 engine # should be 911/84.

[GRAYBEARD]

vin is 9117210549, it was originally a California car and was serviced exclusively at ******** Pino Sirna

[Joe Bob]

911=model versus 930
7=77
2=911"S" U.S. 2.7
1=Targa
0549 sequence number....

[Bobboloo]

My guess is that the rear quarter panels were updated when the cab conversion was done. The quarters cost more than just flares but you make up for it in labor saved and since the conversion was in process it really was the smarter more cost effective way to go.

P.S. Of course the salesman with a creative license would say it probably was special ordered with the soon to be released SC flare making it the first SC flared car ever built.

[dd74]

You ask "What's up?" - No '77 offered in the U.S. had flares. There was a Euro-only '77 Carrera 3.0, but it had a 3.0 engine, not a 2.7. The last year that flares were offered on a U.S. 911 2.7 was the 1975 Carrera.

You have what I call a "good" problem on your hands. First, you will mislead potential buyers if you continue to tell them the flares are OEM - they're not. The 911S was a traditional narrow body.

To that end, you may not have many problems selling your car. If priced right - and the 2.7 is in good shape, I think that car would go fairly quickly for someone who wants a Cab, but doesn't want to pay the prices for an SC or Carrera variation.

Good luck.

[RickM]

Originally posted by dd74
First, you will mislead potential buyers if you continue to tell them the flares are OEM - they're not.

Technically the flares could be OEM...just not installed at the factory.