SWB 911R...the beginning

[speedo]

But it is the only way I see to get the job done
partway
Clean it up with a dremel cutoffwheel
Both sides end up like this ...
And 9/16 holes with the nuts seated
welded sanded and primed
Both sides tops are done

[rennch]

awesome job lars!

[speedo]

I need to create the lower seat attachments for later retractable belts... steel flat stock with the 7/16 nuts...ready to go

I'll weld the nuts to the bacside of the plates and then mount them to the longitudinal


welded, treated and primered

[Reaper930]

Beautiful work, your skill and effort are beyond imagination!

[rvanderpyl]

My car is the same way, no attachment points on the pillars, but I am hesitant to just weld in points like you have, it seems to me that the pillars are awfully thin and don't seem to be strong enough to actually hold in case of an accident. did the factory not reinforce them some how when they did this?

[speedo]

I compared three cars....1966 w/o belt attach points, 1971 w attach points, and 1974 w attach points. I could not discern any difference in the construction or dimension of the B pillar. The only noticeable difference was the position of the attachment point varied by approximately an inch. The pillar is 4 separate pieces of steel spot welded together. The structure was sufficient to satisfy Porsche engineers concern for rollover safety. I penetrated one piece of steel, and then I welded the nut in place. If I had drilled the hole and not rewelded it, then I would have compromised the integrity of the pillar. I believe that if the pillar was satisfactory for rollover safety, that it would be safe for mounting the seatbelt. I will probably keep the rollbar in the car and use a harness anyway. This was for...umm...well this ...uh...heck I don't know! Maybe I was going through welding withdrawls.

[speedo]

These need to be cleaned up prior to painting. I spent an hour with a wire bruch on a grinder to get rid of old glue, foam etc . I used por15 and seam sealer where necessary. Then primed
and painted. I had considered painting the trunk and engine compartment, but decided to stay with black as it cleans up better (not to suggest that I have ever had oil leaks in the engine compartment).


Same thing with the front trunk...por15'd the repairs, then sealed and undercoated where the factory sealer was sandblasted or removed. Then primed the bare metal. I will not prime the entire front trunk...only where necessary. I removed the duct tape that protected the wiring bundle from the sandblaster and removed the 3 lbs of sand . I went ahead and removed the wiring harness from under the bonnet to get better access for painting and rebagged the electrics.

[speedo]

I will shoot the front trunk...and reconnect the steering assembly so I can get this thing on the trailer for the painter. Front of the car is done, rear is done...middle needs to be finished. I need to weld the inner feet of the roll bar to the chassis.

The roll bar is positioned
I'll need to tack the mounts in place, then remove the roll bar and securely weld in the mounts. I then need to go over the entire interior of the car and dress the welds one more time on the floors, longitudinals, seats , rear shelf, and anywhere I have replaced or repaired. I will then por15 and use the seam sealer. The painter is only going to prime the interior, with the exception of the dash which will get painted. I am down to the newer Cobalt blue, or the period Beige -Grey. Luke, stay out of this.
Either way, I need to get Stephan at GT-classics going on my seats..."law-office"-burgundy/brown leather sport S seats. I can't wait.

I just acquired a 2.2 S motor with a rebuilt 901-911 trannie , some petal polished deep sixes...as well as some American Racing magnesium 5 spoke wheels from the late 60s. I now have engine and wheel choices I didn't have before. If the 15x7s are too tight, I can run the deep 6s instead. I'm getting psyched

[Macroni]

I will stay out of it.

2.2S ugh your killing me......It is going to be so sweet

Deep 6s on the front, Americans on the back w/ the leather wheel ...
Deep 6s all around w/ the wooden wheel ...

You will be able to dress it for different occasions.

I love it when a plan comes together!

[rennch]

beige grey, beige grey, beige grey....

[speedo]

But I wanted to start small. I have a broken push button on the ebrake handle
And in checking on replacements...apparently later cars had a different handle and button. I decided to make my own button out of 1/2" solid steel round stock. At least it won't ever break again
I cut a 1" piece to length
drill and tap it
chuck it into my "vertical lathe"
and shape it
came out nice
and it won't break

[speedo]

I had to weld the base feet for the rollbar...and then dress the welds. I also needed to dress (a final time the welds for the seats and longitudinal cuffs as well as) the overall floor. I used the por15 "metal ready"
And lay down the black stuff

Hasn't been this solid in 41 years
And finally...the front trunk has been prepped and primed
Anf finally shot black

I may as well say it...cause it's never true...I think I am now done with the welding. I have some exterior body work to do in the next couple days....then the car hits the floor for the first time in...9 months? It will be interesting to see what the ride height looks like after all the suspension work

[Chuck Moreland]

At this point, I think you've earned the right to buy a proper lathe.

Great job!

[Fishcop]

Will your button rust?

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by Chuck Moreland

At this point, I think you've earned the right to buy a proper lathe.

Great job!

Uh, yea I think so too. Before something grenades in your face.

[speedo]

But the painter is scheduled for the 1st of June...Sunday. ...5 days from now. All the panels are fit ...I am just prepping the car for him to clean up. The things I don't want him to guess on, door gaps , hood fitment...etc. If there are areas that need his expertice, I am identifying them as opposed to trying to remedy them. I know he feels as though the finished product is a reflection of his skill...so I just want to point out the areas that need attention...vs spending time trying to save $$ and fixing them myself. Next post will be car on wheels on the trailer...with me frantic to decide on color.

[911 tweaks]

color choice... hummmmmmmm... go way back to your earliest visions ~ dreams of what you wanted in a possible dream car that you have now actually created... where did you see a car that color OR what book/magazine did you see such a color.

Color choice can be a deeply rooted personal expression of ones likes. Are you trying to pick a color that is from an era? Or a color from only 911R, or 911ST, or some other model ~ era?

If you can answer any of these, then you are on your way to knowing ~ leaning towards what you like and a lot of what you don't like.

I personally think since you have "created" this awesome car from a very rough shell = totally built to your specs, think of that spec and what color 1st jumps into your mind? If a lot or even 1 guy you may possibly know already has that color, either use it or possibly a lighter or darker shade of it or possibly the opposite color of that 1st jumped into your mind color.

All in all, if you don't like the color after its done, based on your talents, you can always change it as I believe you are going to class race this right? and for sure the paint is going to take a beating there anyway.

Best of luck as color will bring your creation truly to life... right before your eyes... like giving water to a flower!

Enjoy and thanks for all of the pics, story, and massive education so far! Simply amazing!!
Bob

[kenikh]

Go rogue...Togo Brown. Special order for '65/'66:



Of course I am partial since my car is that color. You are guaranteed to be the only kid on your block! If that is too rogue, I say one of the nice early grays like:


Dolphin gray (could only find a 356 photo)


Slate gray


Linen gray

KILLER.

[Macroni]

Lars,
I was wondering about the original color so I went to the beginning of the thread. Since I have been on the installment plan I have in a sense lost track of all you have accomplished. When reviewed front to back it is staggering! I know this is your form of Zen but the task was monumental. I can not wait for my next installment!

Color.............

[Doug&Julie]

Don't laugh...this one is (I believe) called Vesuvious.



Yes, it's a 996 color, but I've always wondered what it would look like on an early car. I think it would look pretty sweet. And it would truly be unique! Just a thought...