Backdate: 2 options... advise please

Deschodt · 06-19-2006, 06:45 PM

Guys... New development in my indecision saga...

I may just have bought back my first Porsche, an 83 SC from the friend I sold it to... 90% certainty unless he sobers up ! If that works out, it needs paint and possibly a rebuild, so I'd like to backdate it to 73 RS look (The ultimate backdate thread is 100% guilty) to be used as aa track + fun car...

I am also the sucker who bought -sight unseen

- a spliced 73.5 911T two years ago and sank $10K in it before finding out it was made from 2 cars (I guess that means it's not a bad car if it took me that long ;-)... What do you think makes the most sense here:

a) Sell my 73T (full disclosure - it's perfect as a street car, was put on a bench and is straight but it IS made from the nose of a 72S and the ass of a 73.5T so I would not race it or pretend it's a concours winner ) for around $10K ? (guesstimate on my part but that is what I have it it just in parts, the car would be free ;-) it has a fine interior, a redone 2.4 motor that has no business pulling this strong, all redone CIS, perfect tranny, new clutch, new shocks, all early car body bits are perfect save a ding here and there except it needs some rust repair in the rear corner window, which is not a long hood specific part.. I figure it either become a cheap-reliable-stylish daily driver for someone who doesn't care or a good parts source for someone who needs early bits). Pocket 40% of what I have in it, kick myself in the ass, move on...

b) Keep it but cannibalize it: Use the 73 bits for my SC backdate, chiefly front fenders, turn signals and hood, but really whatever else I need (mirrors, door panels, you name it). The bumpers might not be worth transfering as I'll want RS ones and room for a front cooler. Sell the motor/tranny or keep some as spares, gut all worthy parts, doors, glass, chrome trim, bumpers and dispose of the carcass at the local yard) - This would kinda hurt because it is a fine driving/looking car despite its frankenporsche origin!

I suppose that depends on what I can get for that car given the splice vs. what the parts would cost me separately to purchase one by one..(and proceeds from a newish 2.4+ tranny)

Any opinions from people who have done the backdate on costs and best way to go? Or anybody with an opinion for that matter !

Picts of old and older....

Zeke · 06-19-2006, 07:41 PM

Well, I wouldn't toss that early car! Just get the bumpers for the SC and be done with it. You don't have to change the fenders, use the kits. Get a 'glass hood, maybe a duck.

Just my .03.

Scott Clarke · Scott Clarke's Garage

Greg-
The 73.5 is a great looking car. Exactly what keeps it from being a car that you have complete confidence in? It seems to me that the right thing to do is to make the car right (if possible). If the car CAN'T be made right, then the right thing to do is to part it. I think that some money spent to fix the rust, and insure that the graft is legit, is money well spent. There will always be some stigma about the graft, but so what? If you KNOW the car is right you will enjoy it and drive it as intended.
-Scott

Deschodt · 06-20-2006, 04:59 AM

>Greg- The 73.5 is a great looking car.

Digital photos are deceiving, the paint job is kinda crap up close...

> Exactly what keeps it from being a car that you have complete confidence in?

A body shell that was not spliced ;-)

What CAN you do to "Fix" that ? Nothing that I know of. Was it done well ? Yes, supposedly, the car has held together for 30 years that way and there is no rust there. The splice was long/short/long/short and there is no buckling or door gap issues, and according to the mechanic who took it to a celette bench for me, it's straight. Drives fine... The problem is it's a blackhole, more than any other car I will never get back what I'm putting into it...

Mostly its a problem of economics. I could put a cage in it guaranteeing it's stronger than a modern car, fenders, bumpers, a cooler, a bigger engine.... It'd be much cheaper to start with the SC and backdate it, and sell that T cheap for the sum of its parts or to someone who just wants a cheap beater with great mechanicals....