1st post with new name – Part of the Mid Year Revolution

[Walter_Middie]

With all the hoopla surrounding mid years lately, I’ve decided to change my Pelican name from Rex Walter to Walter_Middie. I just finished a 15 month rebuild on the car, and thought this would be a good time to set my number of posts back to zero, start with a clean slate, and as is tradition, show my car in my first post.

When I bought my 1975 911s, I didn’t know what I was getting into. I didn’t know it had a 2.7L with a reputation for pulling head studs out of the block, I didn’t know what a middie was, I didn’t know what impact bumpers were, and I didn’t know what long hoods were or that I had CIS. I had fixed up several cars, including the Triumph TR3 that I had just sold to finance my next European sports car. The TR3 was a good car – I had fixed everything that was wrong with it, rebuilt the engine and transmission, recovered the seats, put in new carpet, and painted it red with black racing stripes. The car drove great, but the suspension was crude and the car would slide around at relatively low speeds, and with only a 4-speed, it really wasn’t comfortable on the freeway – but a lot of fun on the back roads. What finally drove me to sell the car was the top – or lack there of. It had a top, sort of. It had something that you could erect over the seats, given enough time. But with it up, it rained inside the car almost as hard as it rained outside the car. In the PNW, that’s a problem. I needed a coupe. My wife spotted the Porsche by the side of the road one day. I was off with my buddies building race cars, and they couldn’t believe my wife was calling to tell me about a car for sale. I had been showing my wife pictures of all these crazy European sports cars that I wanted but she didn’t like any of them – except the Porsche – that was the one car that we both agreed on. The newer Porsches had changed enough that a 1975 911s had that definite classic car appeal. I didn’t want anything with spoilers or hood scoops or flared fenders – I wanted a clean understated look that this car had. I had looked at lots of used cars, and knew what to look for. This car was used, but in good shape with no rust and no sign of the PO doing poor repairs, like strange wiring hanging down under the dash or running through the engine compartment. The price was good – too good – I had to buy it right away or it was going to be gone. No PPI - I was lucky. As usual with a “new” car, I spent a couple of weeks with it up on jack stands, checking the brakes, clutch, changing all the fluids, giving it a complete tune-up, replacing burnt out bulbs, and generally fixing anything that was wrong with it. Once it was on the road and seemed reliable, I sold the SAAB 900 that I was driving to work as it was just boring to drive, and everyone would pull out in front of me – it received little respect from other drivers. The Porsche was different. People would wait until I passed by, no-one would cut in front of me, I could see other drivers hesitate before getting in front of me on the freeway – I like that. My wife’s first outing in the car was a trip from Seattle to the 50th Monterey Historic Races. The car ran very hot, as it has no external oil cooler, but it never skipped a beat. We drove down in a caravan of Porsches, but my wife and I were the only ones that camped in a tent at the edge of the race track, so that we were awakened by the cars warming up before 1st practice. This was my first clue that most Porsche owners are not necessarily car guys. I still remember standing at the fence surrounding Laguna Seca and watching Hurley Haywood drive a 914 from the back of the pack to win on the last corner, coming from impossibly far behind.

I drove the Porsche to work everyday for the next 5 years. Very little ever went wrong with the Porsche. I changed the oil, tuned it up, learned how to do valve adjustments, but I really didn’t spend much time or money keeping the car going. It was very reliable.

After 160,000 miles without an external oil cooler, it was finally time for an engine rebuild. I had a couple of pulled head studs, and I could have re-torqued the nuts and driven for another few miles, but the paint was chipped, the seats were torn, and it was time for a rebuild. This is a picture of the car all back together after 15 months of rebuilding the engine, windows out paint, and a new interior. It was during the engine rebuild that I found Pelican, and I am very impressed with the member’s depth of knowledge and willingness to help.

With the recent rebuilds of several mid year (MY) cars, I am proud to be one of them. Being a MY makes my car different and unique from most Porsche’s. When I go to local Porsche events, I usually have the only mid year. My car retains its original engine and transmission, which may not help a mid year much with re-sale value, but it’s a standard for all well kept, well restored cars of all types.

When I was rebuilding my car, I’d tell people that I was buying parts or service from, that I wanted to drive this car to work everyday. They’d look at me like I was crazy, and say, “You can’t be serious”. But I remember something that John Walker said to me while I was fretting over my ability to rebuild the engine – he said, “It’s just an engine”. I have extrapolated that to, it’s just a car. Life’s too short to drive an SUV to work. I’m taking the Porsche. When you see me go by, you’ll know it’s me by my wave, a headlight flash, and the ***** eating grin that I can’t wipe off my face.

[kycarguy 935]

Beautiful 75 911S.

[ianc]

Looks great! Here's to fresh starts!

ianc

[dentist90]

Now get out there and DRIVE!!

[lars63]

Very nice looking car great job!!!

[jwetering]

Great story - you've got that pelican attitude down pat I'd say. Those middies are looking better and better every time. I think the tide has turned from "stay away at any cost" to "build 'em right and they're fantastic cars".

[Paulporsche]

Good job, nice writeup and congrats on the new handle. BTW, your wife sounds like a saint.

[al lkosmal]

Rex,
Your car turned out very nice.

Al

[ianc]

I still remember standing at the fence surrounding Laguna Seca and watching Hurley Haywood drive a 914 from the back of the pack to win on the last corner, coming from impossibly far behind.

Ha! I remember that too! What a glorious moment!

ianc

[LakeCleElum]

Great looking car........Good story.....I think a lot of us stumbled into the P-car thing in a very naive way......I had a MG, Austin Healey, Fiat, and XKE.....For me, it was just the next thing I had to own.....I couldn't afford a 911, so I bought a cheap 912 for $2,200. Did paint and a front floor pan, and stuff like you did to your TR....Sold it and scrapped some cash to go with for a 911.......

I like the idea of a name change and resetting your post count!!

[Rod.911S]

Well done and very nice write-up!

[Fidalgo911S]

Very pretty car! Very nice restoration.

[Walter_Middie]

Thanks for all the kind words, and thanks again for all the help during my rebuild.

[Zef]

WOW..beautiful 911...very nice job.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by jwetering
...Those middies are looking better and better every time. I think the tide has turned from "stay away at any cost" to "build 'em right and they're fantastic cars".

Yes, excellent job. A solid Mid Year beauty.

I think the tide is turning alright and eventually people will realize that the, "...build 'em right" part applies to ALL Porsches so it should go without saying.

The tide will turn to just the, "...they're fantastic cars" statement.

[Dan in Pasadena]

P.S. to Rex, Just realized your mirror is round. You know the stock one is rectangular stainless, right? No criticism, just commenting.

[Walter_Middie]

Dan in Pasadena,

The car came from the PO with flag mirrors on both sides painted the body color. I didn't care for the look, so I had to make a decision on which mirrors. I also didn't like the rectangular chrome mirror that is supposed to go on the car. I chose the Durant mirror to enhance the classic car look. I like it.

Rex

[Dan in Pasadena]

Rex,
I changed my mirrors out too. I did a windows-out, all new rubber paint job same as you and I wanted the earlier car look so I went with the '74/'75 rectangulars. Now I am looking for aright side one but even the aftermarket ones are hard to find. Everyone is out of stock. Your ocar is looking excellent. What are your future plans for it? I went with H4's/chrome rings but sometimes I think of going back to sugarscoops up there.

P.S. I notice you have no foglights. By choice? I deleted mine, I didn't like the added on look of them. Just my $.02 but I think the cars look a little cleaner without them. I also went with the Euro rear bumperettes and an early metal grill.

[1yearonLy]

Great story, we just might have to all tell our mid year stories now. I bet there are some doozies for those of us that went 'against the grain' in terms of which 911 to buy.

By the way, how does one change their call sign? Mine is out-dated (from my 1968L days).

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by 1yearonLy
...By the way, how does one change their call sign? Mine is out-dated (from my 1968L days).

Well, MAYBE its outdated, depends on how you look at it. I tink you've said you'll never sell your '77 so its "the only year for you", hence "1YearOnly"

By the way, why'd you sell the '68L? Was it a rustbucket? I only have to think of Bob Tilton's silver '68L and I would give my right arm for it.