I'm leaning towards building a SWB 911R clone

[304065]

A 912 VIN is a 912 VIN, but any 911 VIN isn't a 911R VIN. You will have a much easier time finding a 912 as there were so many more made. Good, rust-free SWB 911s are hard to find and should be seriously considered as restoration candidates before modification.

The few that "do not make it" get cut up and their parts live on elsewhere. . .

Remember that a true "R" has a glass trunklid, engine cover, doors and fenders, so you could basically start with ANY tub except a G50 and work backward from there. . .

[Shuie]

I would love to have a 912 with a few different spare motors.

[speedo]

First of all...

Shuie, your request is noted and while it is still early, I'll make a note for this next winters Christmas list.

John, I hear you, however, I want to start with a 911 vin even if it is a later 68 chassis. I have an excellent (read inexpensive but quality) resource for the fiberglass fenders, hood,lid and bumpers etc. I am looking for a project car, I am not going to "kill" something that has potential historic value. I think creating a clone on a 911 vin will have greater value than one created off a 912.

Thanks for the response though...

Speedo

[Bobboloo]

I think the value of a "replica" lies solely on the execution and quality of the replication. Whether you start with a 911 or 912 makes little to no difference.

If the car looks, sounds and drives just like the real deal and appears indistinguishable from the real deal then it will command the money it deserves.

[Dueller]

Speedo...if I understand correctly you're looking for a SWB car. You may want to contact arizonasky or her husband Jeff Lamore. They acquired a 68 911L and are in a quandry on whether to sell it or restore or whatever. Here's a few links they've posted. It needs a lot of attention and does have some possible rust issues but it seems to be complete. They seem to be nice folks but just don't know what to do with their newly acquired car.

value of 1968 911 L

1968 911l

And here's her husbands thoughts on the car:

1968 911l

[randywebb]

speedo, Can I have a 912 with a 300 hp Wankel in it for Xmas?

Thanks in advance!

[speedo]

...an ignored early car with no pedigree....and a sunroof to boot! I can either keep it...or weld it shut. The more I looked, the more I found...there are a lot of SWB cars ...languishing.
Thanks for the responses!

[GrantG]

Lars - I'd love to check the progress of the build. Let me know when you don't mind someone looking over your shoulder. Best of luck - love the 911R!

[rennch]

I think you should keep it. The weather is too perfect here to weld it shut.

[jeffrey fellman]

Well I guess I finally have to submit myself to the groups appreciation or voodoo logic nitpicking as we actually have the first few R wheels going to the LA show for Saturday. You guys cannot imagine the running changes we made as we went along and received more pics and measurements from known original wheels. All I can say is that what we finally came up with jibes with all the known FACTS and the best recollections of actual owners/ drivers past and present. I am now accepting orders at the pre delivery price of $395 for the first five sold, $495 for any further pre orders. List will be $595. All these prices include the correct billet CNC machined hub and wheel. The horn button, horn contact and electrical components may be ordered for an additional $100. The initial run is only 30 pieces. You can see pics of the R wheel as well as our new production of 380mm '73 RS wheels at www.ClassicoWheels.com/911R Jeffrey Fellman/Classico Wheels tel. 941 321 9389 or 941 346 1778.

[Macroni]

Lars,
I stumbled upon this thread doing research so I thought I would check in.

Sunroofed 911 vs a 912 based recreation; Interesting dilemma. If I was the future owner I would desire the non-sunroof 912 with a high degree of recreated authenticity. In the last year I have seen many 912 based recreated cars selling north of 50k.

I do believe there was a wrecked factory R that was rebuilt using a 912 Tub. I believe it was featured in Excellence or Pano last year. It was red w/o a rear bumper.
L.

[EarlyPorsche]

Like I have been saying, its the same chassis, a number is not going to make a difference. Mine is not an R replica rather more of a slightly lowered and on 6inch wide fuchs SWB with some trim delete. It looks very smooth and clean. I have been offered prices a great deal higher than a 911 as my vehicle is exactly the same as a SWB 911 but with a more fun version of the 2.0 and an incredibly clean look. Don't be insecure about your inner 912VIN! Get yourself a 912 and if you do go to sell it you can explain that you started with a 912 because it was a good starting chassis that wasn't like swiss cheese, that was a major reason in my car, the 912 chassis had all the nesessary rust damage replaced 3 years prior to the engine going. It made perfect sense to build it up with a built 2.0.

[Britain Smith]

I understand the 911/912 debate. I have a '69 912 and I get to hear the discussion all the time...is that a 911, no it's a 912, what is a 912?, it is a 911.

FYI, I have a friend selling a nice '68 911L for $17.5 I believe. It would make a great canidate for a SWB R replica.

-Britain

[rennch]

That's too pretty, and WAAAAAY too expensive for Speedo.

Hey Lars...we're having a little RSR party at the house for lunch today...hopefully some progress will be made.

[speedo]

...about building cars...

Is that there always is the next one. I am not a purist and R Gruppe hasn't called recently , so I don't have to worry about satisfying somebody elses requirements. I can build the car off a 912 vin, or a 911 vin. I just want to do it off a 911 . I realize the chassis is the same, and with the exception of the instruments and the oil tank...and a few other things, that the cars are the same. I have seen many 912 -911 conversions that look great. I just want to build this car off a 911 platform. Maybe the next one will be off a 912. If it works out with the sunroof coupe I am looking at...I am psyched to be building a "one-off" 911R with a sunroof...oh well...Porsche didn't make one. They also didn't stick a 3.0 with webers in it either.

I'm thinking that I might want to start to create some SWB adjustable spring plates for the early cars...any interest?

BTW emptyo...that was harsh....but you were right, the car was too nice to destroy

[EarlyPorsche]

Sunroofs are always a plus. I wish mine had that, I wonder if I could swap that in.

[Porsche]

Originally posted by EarlyPorsche
Sunroofs are always a plus. I wish mine had that, I wonder if I could swap that in.

Don't cut a sunroof into your 66, if that's what you're considering. 66's are rare enough not to be cut up. But in the end it's your car.

[rennch]

Well, I didn't mean it to be harsh, I apologize. What I meant was, you are particularly skilled at taking an inexpensive ugly duckling and turning it into a swan.

[70SATMan]

Originally posted by jeffrey fellman
. You guys cannot imagine the running changes we made as we went along and received more pics and measurements from known original wheels. All I can say is that what we finally came up with jibes with all the known FACTS and the best recollections of actual owners/ drivers past and present.

Well, although it looks nice I think I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with this statement. I appreciate your efforts but, I think you went with a design that was pretty much already in place and rushed it to be ready for sale at the show. I think the result speaks for itself. I'd really hate to think of someone paying this kind of scratch for that wheel. All of my original wheels have cost me less than $250 each. Most in the $125 range. All it takes is knowlege and a little sleuthing.

The horizontal spoke shape on your wheel is not correct. Also the stitching is not correct either. Is yours actually stitched or fake running stitches and glued? I have taken apart a few newer reproductions and even one newer MOMO Prototipo and that is how they were done.

I did offer to help. I'd love to hear where you got the measurements.

Yours:



Here is the shape it should have been (Very Early MOMO Formula):



And this one although it is slightly dished and not flat (Very Early MOMO GT):



Here are the two spoke styles side by side (the silver one is a MOMO LeMans):




I'm sure you will get some sales anyway.

[speedo]

I got the help/pics I needed...thanks all!

You guys can have the thread...interesting how this morphed....SWB to 912 to is it, or is it not a period correct steering wheel repro?

I love the internet!

Fight fair!

Speedo