I'm leaning towards building a SWB 911R clone

[70SATMan]

The finished car and the attention to the details would be the important thing to me. A reproduction it will still be whether a 912 or a 911 base. At that point I wouldn't blink an eye as a buyer as long as it was executed well and wasn't a 911S to start. Had to put that in.

A couple more enticement pics.

[70SATMan]

Originally posted by 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

You are right Speedo. My response really should have been in another thread but, since he hijacked your thread to sell his wares I couldn't not reply. I hate seeing people not being fully informed of what they are spending their hard earned money on.

[andyjboy]

Although not correct for a 'replica', I chose to build my 911R-inspired car from a '72 model since the oil tank was in the correct position - I'm (reasonably) happy with the resuilts so far:

[fryardds]

Truely oustanding Andy.

I sure hope to have a chance to see this car and meet you someday.

[jeffrey fellman]

Well I admit to defying the admonission "he stoops to conquer" but I will reply in the most simple terms:
NOT ONE OF THE WHEELS YOU PICTURE IS CORRECT AS AN ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED WHEEL ON A 911R.
Further, of course our wheel is stitched, not glued. The good news is that the majority of subscribers are intelligent enough to do their own research as opposed to giving credence to an ill informed source obviously operating on a basis of "opinion" as opposed to facts. Exactly how many people has the poster spoken to who actually had possesion of a 911R as it left the factory? Please limit your response to a simple arabic numeral for the sake of brevity.

[RPMClassic]

Hey Jeff -

In response to your quote above:

"Exactly how many people has the poster spoken to who actually had possesion of a 911R as it left the factory? Please limit your response to a simple arabic numeral for the sake of brevity."


.....................are you claiming to be the leading expert now? Given the resources available here on this board, that is a big claim to make.

As a consumer and Porsche owner - I have only seen 3 911R's in the last 25 years - and they all had different wheels!


1st off, congrats on vesting the time,energy and enthusiasm towards the manufacture of these wheels.

However - please don't turn this board into the 356 registry. Your 7 posts, although backed by decades of professional POrsche experience in sales and restoration - lack the tone and knowledge that you truely have. Let the steering wheels and your efforts speak for themselves.

Pointing fingers and stiring the pot here will only discredit you ( even if you are right or wrong ). Take the high road on this one and let this community embrace you with your continued posts - the collective resources here are amazing and you will find your niche soon enough. Share some stories, post some pictures and have some laughs - you will be better off in my opinion.

The wheels will sell, but how about sharing your true passion and knowledge with us all, before banging us on the head with threats and sentences ending in words like brevity. In all the sales pitches I have every seen, I don't see this approach being the most successful choice.

I do wish you luck with this endeavor, but a spades a spade. Your quote above does NOT reflect the nature and spirit in which this board was founded. Before all these internet sites - products like yours sold by word of mouth and reputation. Your talent and efforts have kept ALOT of porsches on the roads over the years - your post above doesn't reflect that.

In other words -

some of the biggest corporate deals are done outside of the boardroom and with a handshake. The golf course is 18 holes long - if you strong arm us all on the 2nd green - you've missed a great day of golf and the business opportunities associated with it.

Just my 2 cents.

[randywebb]

There are examples to follow in that regard - Sherwood (various parts, incl. heat shields, hood rod); Chuck Moreland (suspension products); Tyson & Hayden (Wevo - trans. & susp. items, etc.) and many others.

There is no need to give away advice free, but many do, incl. numerous shop owners.

[70SATMan]

Originally posted by andyjboy
Although not correct for a 'replica', I'm (reasonably) happy with the resuilts so far:

Andy, there is the one LWB 911R don't forget, so I think your vision is perfect. Well, except for one thing. You need a Nardi replica in that ride. THat'll set her off nicely.

[austin552]

[70SATMan]

Originally posted by jeffrey fellman

NOT ONE OF THE WHEELS YOU PICTURE IS CORRECT AS AN ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED WHEEL ON A 911R.

You are correct Jeff however, you did not comprehend my post correctly. Please re-read it. None of the three I posted were made by Monza. They are all MOMO made. I was referring to the differences in the basic shape of the spokes.

I also own a MOMO Monza but, it's nothing like the Monza R wheel. It is identical to the silver LeMans except it has a leather cover rather than vinyl. Both of those are pretty much identical in shape to the flat Prototipo except the addition of the two thumb spats that cover up the third holes on the horizontal spokes. That and the grip diameters.

Actually I wouldn't be surprised if some of the production Rs were delivered with the original MOMO Prototipos. I just sold my original 68 Prototipo to a gentleman on the East Coast who told me he was going to install it on his real R. Don't know which serial number yet but, I'll be asking him. Who knows, maybe he bought Frank G's R and is wanting to replace that modified Nardi.

Speaking of Nardi....The only reason why you didn't end up with a full blown Nardi replica is because people on this board questioned instead of acted like sheep with our wallets hanging out when we were told a replica was designed. You should be happy you got as close as you did. I really wanted to buy one of these finished wheels (as I posted in the other thread) but, only if the details were done right. Otherwise, why bother? Many times in my line of work I've seen great ideas get trampled by business decisions.

Again, sorry Speedo.

[jeffrey fellman]

I really don't want to start a long rant that has been so soundly covered but the wheel we made really does jibe with every detail we were able to verify. We changed the size and angle of the spokes and slots as better pictures of real original wheels surfaced, we used close up photos to copy the stitch correctly, we determined the wheel had a box stitch on the back of the spokes, we ran our finished design past oldtimers and ex factory people. They said we had captured every important detail. As to pricing, my price includes the quite unique billet hub. This is not even remotely like any aftermarket hub available and is being made from dead scratch in house by us. My factory source says that the only wheel he ever saw fit was the rectangular slot Monza wheel. He says that certain owners and racers may have changed the wheel due to personal preferance but that the wheel we created was the only factory wheel used. The cars were built in 1967 not 1968, Momo did not mark their wheels as such until mid 1968 so how could a wheel that did not exist have been original to the cars? I made these as a favor to a couple of 911R guys and asked the list to help me. Now I offer the result and get grief. This project is a loss leader just to get some exposure and goodwill [ yes we make other 911 wheels], I guess no good deed goes unpunished. Last post from me, you guys take it from here, I am gone.

[speedo]

I was kidding before.....take this vendeta offline...help me Noah. I love everybody!

I just replaced a speedo cable this afternoon on my 74....what a PIA....that is worth complaining about!

Please guys....lets move this thread!

[andyjboy]

Just a final point for historical accuracy:

At least one original 911R was Factory-fitted with a Prototipo steering wheel - R3 (the Marathon de la Route winner) - & it was used as the feature car for the 911R Driver's Manual !

[Jeff Hail]

Originally posted by speedo
In between projects and thinking of building a clone of a 911R. I just finished a 71 vintage 2.2 racer with full cage that weighs in at 1850 lbs....so lightening a car is not a problem. I want a driver, not a track car.There are lots of RS and RSR clones that look great....but haven't seen too many ...in fact none....SWB narrow bodied R clones. Anybody have any inspirational pics of their creations?

If I don't build up the 2.0 motor, I might end up putting a 2.7-3.0 with webers and a sport exhaust.

Lets see whatcha got!

I wish I could, I wish I could

[naparsei]

Originally posted by Luke Marano Jr
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.

Luke,
Possibly thinking of the Tony A to Z Trans Am 911? That was not originally an "R", but:
1/ it was red
2/ it had no back bumper
3/ it was wrecked
4/ the swap was made into 912, which finished the season
5/ this car (perhaps?) is the subject of a relatively interesting controversy over authenticity right now

[speedo]

Do we have any complete cars in the Denver or surrounding area that are projects in need? Don't need concours cars, or bizzare makeovers please. Really don't need motor or trannie...but they would give me "swap currency". Sunroof or non ok...let me know.

[zotman72]

Gee Lars there is this jewel of a 912 on the Denver Craigslist right now. Check it out. You do not have to even modify it as everything has already been done to it.

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/297785641.html

Act now or you might lose out.

[speedo]

You have way too much time invested in your 912 project! I remember how excited you were when you sourced those wheels from the PepBoys online clearance center...and the fiberglass flares don't look that bad! What I said about the shag carpet on the dash...well I meant it at the time, but hey...I appologized!. You will regret selling this car down the road...go with your vision! You were right, the inline four Hundai motor will be unusual...and trick at the same time. And if anyone can make it work...you can!

I appreciate it, but I'll find another one!