Introducing myself, and my 1971 911

[John P (w/a T)]

(Please advise if this isn't the right place to post this.)

Now that I’ve been posting for a little while, I thought I should take a moment to introduce my ride, a 52,000 mile, one registered owner (prior to me) 1971 911T. The car was factory equipped with the following options: metallic silver paint, sunroof, S trim, S suspension, S brakes, S instruments, 5 speed and factory limited slip differential. It had one glass-out, high quality respray in the original color 25 years ago, and was hardly used since then. Harvey Weidman restored all 5 original 6x15 Fuchs, mounted with 5 period-correct Michelin 185x70 XWX tires (vintage rubber, baby!)

The car has an interesting history. The original owner (based in Pennsylvania) bought and arranged for delivery of the car through Porsche’s Tourist Delivery program in Stuttgart. It was purchased through Porsche racing legend, Al Holbert. He picked the car up in the spring of 1971 at the factory, and recalled the obsessive walk through the Porsche mechanic gave him for his car and its “proper” use. Being so heavily optioned, this was an expensive car, and he could have had a “basic” S. He wanted torque and reliability, however, and the S’s had a reputation for being fussy and not ideal for regular street use.

The owner, a large animal veterinarian, was on a 2 year residency fellowship in Switzerland, and drove the car to its new Swiss home. He used the car on weekends to storm the Swiss Alps. He remembers that the car was perfect in the Alps, and that he “Broke the engine in really well in those mountains.” After 2 years and 12,000 miles in the Alps, he moved back to his home in Pennsylvania, using the car on nice days to make his rounds to various farms.

Shortly after picking up the car, he installed an expensive (for the time) Blaupunkt Bamberg CR radio with rear speakers on the parcel shelf. This was a “cutting edge” tape cassette (not 8 track), and featured a microphone that allowed him to record his voice on tapes while driving. He would record his client chart entries on the drive back from the farms, handing the tape to his secretary for transcription back at the office.

Having some racing experience (he hillclimbed a factory 356 Speedster at the time with hillclimb gears, factory LSD, etc), he specified a rare factory limited slip differential for the 911 (as noted above). While the car was an occasional use street car, it did see a few autocrosses (see period photo).

He had the car stripped to bare metal and repainted 25 years ago in the correct, 2-stage lacquer + clear coat metallic silver by a local shop that specialized in Ferrari 365 GTB Daytona’s. Absolutely no rust was found on the car during the repaint, nor is there any now. During the repaint he removed the front bumper guards, as he thought they took away from the car’s lines. The entire project took 2 years. The problem was that, after it was done, the car was too nice and he was afraid to drive it. It mostly sat in his garage, covering only 4,000 miles.

To make matters worse, he had his factory hillclimb 356 Speedster restored to the same standard during that time. He was now left with 2 cars that he was afraid to use. He sold both cars and bought a Formula Ford spec racer. He wanted something to drive where he wouldn’t worry about damaging it or getting chips. The 911 briefly spent time in two private collections, but was never registered or used prior to my purchase in 2005. I bought the car, having covered only 51,000 documented miles at the time. The only maintenance had been fluids, filter changes and tires.

When I got the car it was suffering from the “storage blues” from lack of use. I did all the usual stuff, changing the fluids, adjusting the valves, synchronizing the carbs, replacing the hand throttle, shifter and coupler bushings, lowering the front 1 inch (to make it level) and having a professional 4 wheel alignment done.

Driving this car is pure joy, and is the realization of a 20 year dream for me. I’ve been obsessed with early 911s as long as I can remember. I started attending Porsche Club Driver’s Ed events at Mosport nearly 20 years ago, and have lusted after a one-owner, preserved, silver sunroof since then.

Forgive my long windedness, but 20 years is a long time. I am one content dude.

John

[John P (w/a T)]

[John P (w/a T)]

[herman maire]

John, welcome. The car is stunning and the story is wonderful, sounds like you really scored an awsome car.

Any interior pics??? Also how many miles?? EDIT: Ok, just re-read it

[John P (w/a T)]

Thanks for the kind words.

Here's my other baby: an original paint, one-owner, 50,000 mile European '67 Cal-Look Bug from Austria. I built it 10 years ago. 2110 with 48 IDAs, loads of period speed equipment, 150 HP, 1700 lbs and tons of fun. Quicker than the '71 911, but the 911 has longer legs.

[limble]

John,
Great story.
Do you mind if I grab this info and build a page for the 911T registry?

Too late I already did it. I hope you don't mind.

http://www.911t.org/gallery/john_p1/John_p1.htm

[ghnat]

Both cars are sweet and a nice writeup too. Your 911 has such clean lines. All I can say is WOW!

[Paulporsche]

Both look great!

[Zeke]

Outstanding car(s)! Nice photos too. In fact, great photos. Notice what the windshield does to the color of the garage doors. You have the correct glass, that's for sure.

That's one car I wouldn't even put 7's on. Congratulations, even if you've had it awhile.

Oh, and this is the correct forum. Keep it coming.

[SP2]

"Oh My!" (dick enberg)

What a tasty looking car. It oozes first class!

Congratulations!

[CurtEgerer]

Hey John! I understand you might be joining us for the run to Rennsport next year? -- Curt

[RichMink76]

Wow, that is beautiful!

[ghnat]

Hey Milt - care to expand on the glass? I am curious because the color though the glass seems to be more in the green spectrum.

[Drdogface]

John,
I was stunned to read your post. I think I know the original owner...is his name David N.... If I'm correct...PM me. It all sounds correct down to the Speedster.

[JohnJL]

Awesome.
John and Mike, great minds think alike. I bought a 1971 targa from another Pilican this weekend...press release to come..

Congrats on an great, unique ride.

[450knotOffice]

Wow!! That is one heck of a classic 911 you have (nice VW too, btw). It looks brand new.

Welcome to the forum.

[Zef]

Awesome Classic...welcome aboard and congrats for this beautiful baby...

[911 in SC]

Simply beautiful! Of course, the VW is very cool too. I would love to have one of both, especially in their condition. Congratulations!

Mike

[berettafan]

Well i don't want to piss on everybody's parade here but i THINK there is a small bit of dirt on the brake pedal. tsk tsk tsk!






Awesome car man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wowsers!

[PcarPhil]

Stunning. Both of 'em.