Some interesting perspectives from both camps. I think the point was well made regarding the type of driving where each car excels. Older cars seem to be more effective in the tighter stuff where the later cars can better stretch their legs on the faster tracks.

More semi-objective info...

My '69 T with 2.4E engine weighs a little over 2300lbs. with driver. It runs to 60 in 6.0 seconds and does the 1/4 mile at 14.5 seconds.

At last Sunday's autox, it ran .018 seconds quicker than my buddy's well driven GT2 (both on V710s) on a fast but occasionally tight course.

At Buttonwillow, I could run with the 996s down the front straight IF I got a good run onto the straight.

At Willow, I don't think there are enough tight corners to make up the deficit I would see on the front and back straights.

I love the look, sound, and feel of the longhoods but I bet the newer cars with better A/C and stereos are nice on the ride home from the track! :D

Randy:

I did not think anyone was speculating about what avendlerdp could or could not afford. I was responding to his title:

"Longhood is better then Carrera!!?? Read on..."

Obviously, avendlerdp has his cake and eats it too owning both those 911s.

And, I was responding to his question/statement:

"The older car has way better handling and feels 1000 lbs lighter. Is it just a weight thing or are the alignment specs for the newer car such that it's "safer"? The T feels so much better that it's lack of power is not that noticeable and I would venture to say that on most canyon roads it would leave the Carrera in the dust."

I hope I offered an alternate perspective on avendlerdp's experiences.

Damn vntgspd, your 69 T with a 2.4E motor flies!

Mike

Yup, now you know why so many early hotrods are being built with 3.2s and 3.6s and flares. You get the best of both worlds, lightness and power. Our pal Jackie O is a living testiment to taking on the newest and greatest and cleaning their clocks.

Yea, but his car's suspension is nowhere near stock and he's a heck a driver.

All good info and valid points for both camps. Depends on where you live in my mind - as in street or track or track junkie and what you use the cars for, or a mix of all.

For the track it depends which track you spend your time on. Short and technical, auto-cross, or long and high speed. Obviously each car shines in it's own area.

The older lighter cars are more fun - no doubt. I have driven both on the track and they each have their advantages. Great power and speed is fun as is the nimble feeling of throwing a long hood in a corner and it sticking without alot of drama. For the Carrera this can be dialed in with suspension, tires etc to compensate for the added weight and feel like a long hood.

Obviously you want a blend of both. I am currently putting my 84 Carrera on a serious diet to get the lightweight feel and toss-ability of the long hood in a 3.2 package.

No doubt the SC's and Carrera's are heavy and tough to get light (long hood light) but with the power of a slightly modded 3.2 while ditching most of the extra appointments of those cars I think you can have the best of both worlds.

-Jeff

To put it in perspective, if I had both cars (89 Carrera factory wide body / 73 911 E) and could only keep one which one would it be. VERY difficult decision. With the Carrera since it is a factory wide body (turbo look) I would probably spend the money and make it a Turbo while keeping the numbers matching significanlty adding to the fun factor. With this in mind, still don't know which one I would keep.

Chris

73 911 E

well, discussions like this are not usually won by discussion, so, it'll rage on. heck it boils down to what you want really. I'd still rather have my 72E with its RS engine than a carrera, although I woundn't turn the arrera out in the cold either. Oh I'd strip it and cut it up and use all that beautiful galvanized metal for what it was meant, fixing 72's! I'd sell you all the interior, the fenders, the hood and other such stuff........it would be just ducky;)

Just go drive.............if you live where its warm.

Oh, bet you some money people will stare at the 72 more than a carrera too.

Heck a boxster is probably faster than a stock 72E...........

Uh huh. Here's a hot news flash: 356's will smoke both these cars. Or can, at least. Weight is HUGE. Almost regardless of what car is involved, building a more powerful engine is way down on the list of preps. First comes removing everything that is not needed to make the car go, stop or turn. Next is suspension and especially tires. Finally brakes. an early car prepared this way, with a stock 150 hp engine, is going to be very hard to catch.

Yep . .. Supe beat me to it. If any like the T over the Carerra, they should try a 356. But look out, it's a slippery slope, and soon you'll be shopping for go-carts. :cool:

I already did my time in Karts. By far the most fun for the $ in wheel to wheel racing. Now back to the topic at hand...

I'm lucky to have such a tough choice. I think I'll manage though.

-Alex

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1140022935.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1140022960.jpg

Stupid question...
 

Just what exactly is a longhood? They all look pretty much the same to me. Sorry, jargon-impaired.

Ah, I see; it's about balance, then. ...."Early" is raw, Carrera is fast . . . and an SC is just right. :D

longhood - where the hoodwraps all the way forward, and down . . like the nose on the wicked witch of the west. (that's why people say the early cars a "wicked fast" )http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/witch1.gif

That's why I said "assuming both cars are stock". Kinda negates the newsflash. If you want to start talking modifications, then it's a whole different world.

Still, in order for a 150hp 356 to have the same weight/hp ratio as my car (and mine's nothing special), it would have to weigh less then 1500lbs. That's a lot of lightening.

I agree with your philosophy, though, as that is exactly what I've done with my car. The engine was the last mod I did. Ran a stock 2.7 for years.

Mike

Like I said for the third time on this thread. I've never even ridden in a long hood P-car. But because of this thread I REALLY want to ride in one or better yet drive one.... I want to see what you guys are talking about.

BTW, cmcfaul, SWEEEEET cars.....

I've been reading this thread with interest, and just joined so I can post a response.

From September 2005 to Jan 2006 I had my 87 3.2 carrera backdated to 73-ish look.

(details are here http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6932 )

The main changes to the handling are removal of those big bumpers (fenders?) and the telescopic shock-absorbers behind them (they all weighed a lot); cutting out of quite a bit of metal below rear chassis rails, and changing previous 17" cup2 replicas (7" & 9") for 15" Fuchs (7" & 8").

The difference is very noticeable - the car feels much more nimble and chuckable, the steering is lighter and the ride is better.

I'm enjoying driving it now more than I ave ever done over the last 6 years. I feel I've lost some grip but gained far more in feel.

Just my contribution

Cheers

Mark

Have you verified the 35 year old car IS STOCK? I fell into this when I got my 72 and thought wow, this thing is tight and taught. "I don't understand what the rush is in changing the spring rate" I thought. Then I opened her up and found aftermarket TB's along with dirty but newish adjustable Koni's and freshened bushings. Much of this still got uprated further.

BUT, I would have sworn if mine was a "stock" 72 it outhandles later onew two with its modern rubber. I certainly would have been comparing apples to oranges without knowing it.

Long and short of it. Make sure your 35+ year old car is stock before comparing it to a stock Carrera :)

I love my longhood anyways!

Few 30+ year old cars are completly stock. Mine is mostly stock. Some period correct upgrades like Carrera chain tensioners. Sway bars are one mm bigger then stock and bushings are a bit stiffer then stock. Nothing major.

Chris
73 911 E