My Frankie, Frankenstein Porsche probably not for purists

Oh, that's definitely not a car for purists, no probably about it. Nice-looking one, though. I do recommend cropping the photos a bit to save bandwidth, eliminating all that sky and ground. They'll load a bit faster.

I've always wondered about the rear deck conversion - how does the spoiler work when it's just tacked on like that?

Thanks for the cropping suggestion. The rear deck and tail come also from a wrecked c2. The tail is integrated into the deck and pops up after the car hits a certain mph. I wired mine up to a switch that I can raise it and lower it whenever I want to... but I usually keep it up to keep the engine very cool.... plus it looks better to me.

I like it, very nice car, I'm guessing lighter than a c2 too isn't it?
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

Very Nice. I have a 77 Targa, that I am thinking "strongly" of a total rebuild on, I am thinking C2 looks very nice. How did you get all the parts and did you do the work yourself or professional? It looks great

Shawn

Thanks for the compliment Shawn. I bought this car from a mechanic shop around 70% complete. The body work had been done with original Porsche pieces off a wrecked C2 in the yard but there were many issues with the motor, electrical system, hydraulics, exhaust and steering rack that were not completed and I had to complete myself. The pieces all fit with slight mods, and there are aftermarket fiberglass kits available with the C2 body style (I've seen guys here in Ft Lauderdale advertise to do it for 3-4K) and kits to also do the targa to convertible conversion (don't believe the rumors that the conversion makes the body of the car flex -- that's nonsense). There are some quirks to the C2 conversion ex you have to cut the exhaust to make it come out the over side, you have to get a c2 condensor for your air conditioning as there is no space in the rear deck for one etc. But all in all I'm glad with the purchase (I plan to keep the car for a long while)I get the same "I'm not worthy" response for a 1/4 the price of a "real" C2 and tremendously less insurance cost.

Glen

I like the tail. How easy was it to wire in? I have a 71 targa and I think the tail that can be lowered/raised would be great. I have always liked that about the new 911's. HOw big is the tail? I am asking because I have the AC condensor mouned on my engine lid. I would have to figure out a way to allow the tail to raise while keeping the condensor fixed. Would be a fun conversion. Thanks

Jamie
71 911T targa

Looks really good. Have you upgraded the interior to match? If so, any chance of some pix?

I've got only one question, and I'm not being negative at all. What do you tell people when they ask you what year your car is? I get asked that a lot and I don't enjoy explaining the '94 body on a '78 tub story to folks who don't know anything about Porsches. They just give this clueless look (but always say "nice car!").

jpnovak

I would not recommend you use the C2 hatch and tail on your 71 as there is no space for a condensor under the tail. The c2's have acondensor/fan combination under the left front wheel well. I'm in the process of retrofitting air conditioning in the car and have checked out all the pieces.

G.

Philsy,

Thanks also for the compliment. The interior is not complete as there are pieces in the dash missing (air bag cover, ash tray etc)but I do have original C2 seats and door panels. Some of the other stuff are aftermarket fiberglass pieces to make the center console. When I get a chance I take some pics and post them.. the inside is definately not perfect, but I'm working on it poco a poco (little by little) as we say in Miami.

G

Rarly8,

You know, I usually tell folks the real age just to see them react. But I could lie as the only way a person who really knows Porsches can tell mine apart from a C2 from a cursory once over, is the brakes and the steering wheel as most of the C2 parts I have are OEM Porsche. Of course one look under the rear deck and my good old 5 blade 2.7 with headers give it all away!

G

I know that clueless look. By the way - nice car! Ha!

This is only somewhat related to the original. While at an autocross in Clemson, SC I saw a nice looking 89' 911 Speedster come in and park. I of course had to get a better look and went up to speak to the fellow that stepped out of the car, how many late model Speedsters do you see running around. The fellow when asked, proudly stated that it was an 89' Speedster. I only spoke to him for a couple of minutes and when he left I looked at the car a bit more. Then I noticed the grimmy looking engine thought the grill and spyed the Zenith carbs and 2.2liter sticker on the fan housing. Low and behold it was a 71' T.
Now I was a little put off for two reasons, one for being mislead and the other that I must have appeared culable enough to believe him.
Anyway as it turned out I would have been more impressed for him to tell me that he had built a replica that looked so realistic. Just goes to show you never know what your getting.

Happy motoring.
By the way I like your Cab.

Thanks for the compliment on old Frankie. It never ceases to amaze me how some people act really strange when the own one of these cars. After all, its just a car! Of course it is perceived as a status symbol, but some folks really let it get to their head. That's why I tell folks my car is a 77 project that I've been working on. This is not my daily driver, I'm in investment banking and use the time I spend tinkering with the car as my stress release (even though recently changing the steering rack was not exactly relaxing!) Having this car lets me get back at some of those snooty, unfriendly and arrogant folks who spend tremendous amounts of money to buy these auto's just to have the opportunity to look down on folks. To me it's just an old car, that leaks oil and likes to be tinkered with ....... because we all know as old Porsche owners, if you don't like tinkering, or don't know how to do most of the work yourself... they can be quite expensive.

Happy Driving