Third World Porsche for Beach Bum?

[diverdan]

Retirement and a very tight budget looms on the horizon and I don't want to give up the Porsche habit. The U. S. may not be affordable. So....a remote community south of the border or maybe Thailand or Indonesia..........Gotta have a P car. Those governments are not ussually friendly tax wise to imports or may even ban older cars. (Tax may exceed price for the car by as much as 2 times.) May have to build the car? Anybody have an idea of what would be sustainable in a hot damp climate? Top speed wouldn't be high but bottom end grunt and going around corners like the Targa Florio would be the driving style. I may be able to bring in a container of personal stuff including some car parts or even get some old body in. It has to be easy to keep going and look more like fun. Looking too expensive could lead to problems.

I'm thinking about a semi ratty 2.0 911 powered 550 RSR homebuilt. Would have to have a lockable area because the natives are poor and even one's shoes are frequently stolen.

I'd appreciate your ideas.

Diverdan

[JohnKo]

Sounds like you need something stealthy (not a theft magnet), with most of its value hidden away in the oily bits. That could mean something that looks ratty (a Porsche "rat rod?"), or it could mean something that looks nice but doesn't attract too much attention, so you have some choices to make.
Either way, I think it's a really interesting problem, and a thread I look forward to following.
Maybe this (w/Porsche power, or course!):

[Carl83911]

One of these will fit right in. They'll never notice you.

[03TARGA]

Originally posted by Carl83911
One of these will fit right in. They'll never notice you.

I don't think he's interested in a riceburner!

[brer]

914 with a 2.4 and upgraded suspension.

No one will even know its a porsche.

[Eric-325I]

For some odd reason I just love that VW Rat-Rod...

Good luck with your retirement plans and please keep us updated as to what you do for a Porsche.

Eric

[Zeke]

I'm sure there's a 911 for sale at one time or another in every part of the world (well, except maybe the Amazon Valley and certain portions of Alabama).

Wouldn't all the hassle be better if you just waited and found one in your new country of residence? You never know, something else you might find will steal you heart.

[Super_Dave_D]

Originally posted by Eric-325I
For some odd reason I just love that VW Rat-Rod...

Eric

Me too - I think thats its the oval window - Looks like its a '57 Beetle (i think)

[cgarr]

Is that a turbo I see on the tail pipe ??

[TRE Cup]

If you are intent on a P Car, the a targa is the way to go. They are going for less money than coupes, and provide the fun factor you are looking for. Most have locking trunk handles so there is your security for your shoes !
Raise it up a bit, put some skid plates on it, buy wayne's book so you can fix it. Get a couple gallons of Por -15 so you can treat the entire shell! and drill some drain holes in the pan so you don't collect water

[sl951]

Originally posted by cgarr
Is that a turbo I see on the tail pipe ??

Yes it is... a good muffler, if you can stand the whistle.

[diverdan]

That VW rat rod really made me smile. I've thought about a VW with some more 911 grunt but a clean VW wouldn't draw too much of the wrong kind of attention. There are a couple of 1930's looking customs on Bali that aren't ostentatious.

The Vietnamese taxi is a real hoot. I'm thinking of something that would perhaps be able to go under that.

Back in the 60's there were a number of battered speedsters driven by not so rich college kids and profs. At the races in the 60's one would see Cobras and even Porsche 550s with wavy panels and various dings from racing shunts. I loved the look of the "obsolete" abandoned race cars of that era that could be found in the secondary mechanics shops. (After Otto Zipper, McAfee, or Polack traded them off.)

The configuration of the Targa fits my usage quite well. Easy open air when you want it and yet pretty good rain protection----oh with some work on those seals. Skid plates and raised height aren't necessary. However, the older lighter cars may have some real corrosion issues but I'll keep my eyes open.

914 could work. Tops seal better than 911 Targas. Might be very hard to find.

In my dreams I see 6 velocity stacks leading to a carbuerated flat six with a basic exhaust header system. Could work on all the suggestions. I can't get the style of a veteran RSK spyder out of my mind. But I like the simplicity of the motor hung on the back ala 911s and abarths.

The above platforms may be hard to find, but perhaps a wreck could be found in Thailand or Indonesia. The bits could be used to make locally crafted RSK--- Solid mechanicals and suspension with aluminum or glass body with a paint job with some created patina. Guess that would be the dream. But, how to find an old enough (So I could maintain it myself.) starting point over there.
Japanese bits are easy to find and I could easily build a hot Abarth prototipo replica. But those 6 velocity stacks on an aircooled flat six keep me thinking. Targa Florio ........

diverdan

[rvanderpyl]

Like this?

[78-911SC]

Anyone have any more pictures of the VW rat rod?

[plymouthcolt]

Here you go SO calook

[andytat]

Sounds like Thailand would be ideal for your plans. Up in the north around Chang Mai towards the Golden Triangle the roads are absolutely awsome, mostly mountain type terain, fantastic road surface, no traffic & absolutely no cops.
There are plenty of old 911 project cars to be had, you just need 2 things A/C and good seals. When it rains it's seriously wet. There are also a couple of tracks & if you fancy the drive you could join us at Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia, we drive there once a month.

Andy

[diverdan]

Thankyou for all your inputs. The rat Rod, the six velocity stacks, targa, and 914 as well as the other VW rod. Also th erecent Gary Emory posting of his 911 R gives me inspiration.

Andy, how are the prices for old project P cars? I want those six velocity stacks on a small flat six. I can fabricate the rest ala Gary Emory style either existing shell or fabricated body.

I've never found any old project P cars in the Kingdom, but I did find old Alfas. There was an independent P garage out past Ramkampang near Red Baron Bike shop, but everything there was spoken for and prices were not low. Chaning Mai have any sources?

Thanx,

Diverdan

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by milt
I'm sure there's a 911 for sale at one time or another in every part of the world (well, except maybe the Amazon Valley and certain portions of Alabama).

Wouldn't all the hassle be better if you just waited and found one in your new country of residence? You never know, something else you might find will steal you heart.

This makes more sense. (edit) Of course, who said that anything about Porsche ownership made sense?

[andytat]

I'll check with my friends in BK & see if there is anything around at the moment.
For older cars i.e. pre 964's the prices are about 50% higher than in the US but occaisionally there is a bargain to be had.
Good Luck

Andy

[70SWT]

Originally posted by 03TARGA
I don't think he's interested in a riceburner!

I think that is technically a hay-burner...