Return my '65 to original look?

[carsngolf]

My '65 Coupe was modified many years ago to the black trim look. I have finally acquired all the chrome pieces necessary to return it to the original looks along with a front bumper, Hella lights, rear bumper, etc. However, many of my friends and others have said they like the current look and wouldn't change it. Any opinions?

[1911Guy]

YES. Stop what you are doing now and get busy on returning that beautiful car to it's original look.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE DO SUCH A THING??????????

[1911Guy]

YES. Stop what you are doing now and get busy on returning that beautiful car to it's original look.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE DO SUCH A THING??????????

If you like that look, buy an SC.

[ossiblue]

Clearly any and all responses will be opinions so you must decide for yourself--not the public. It sounds like you prefer the original look (as do I) so I would say, go back to the original. The SWB cars have their own special look and IMO, should't be made to look like something they are not. I'd lose the 73 front bumper guards, the 74 rear end, restore the chrome trim (including correct mirrors). Do a search for pictures of SWB cars (there was a recent thread on the board) and look at the classy and classic pictures. I think you'll go with your original intention.

OK, that was the first shot--let'm fly!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Since you're asking for opinions, I'll offer.

Lose the Mahle Gas Burners too....even though they are valuable and period correct (I think). They could finance the change back to the original SWB look and while you're at it, I'd put on cleanly redone steelies.

The early '65-'66 cars are the only ones on which I prefer the steel wheels and hubcaps. This is a true classic, I'd keep it that way.

[Bobboloo]

Your car looks good the way it is but it would be stunning restored to it's original form.

Is the interior in original form?

I always found it a turn off when you would see a car that was updated on the outside but still had an early interior. Hopefully the original interior is still intact.

What's the original color?

Be forwarned that it's a slippery slope when you start restoring bits on a car. The glass has to come out to replace the britework trim. Removing the glass often reveals issues that need attention before you know it your repainting the whole car which may or may not be a good thing for you.

It's a very valuable car you have if all the original bits are there.

What do you really want from your Porsche? I figure that there are 6 basic groups or in some cases "Gruppes" for early cars.

1. Classic SWB and LWB museum pieces that only get driven to maintain them. Show pieces you see at the local events.

2. Early SWB and LWB numbers matching cars that appear stock but have modern unviewable upgrades to improve the driving experience. These are usually weekend fun cars.

3. Early LWB cars that appear stock for the most part but with period correct looking mods and all the available modern improvements applied to them including 3.2/3.6 motor transplants. These are often daily drivers.

4. Early SWB and LWB hotrod "R Gruppe" cars that are only bound by looking period correct. Replica cars of the 911R, 911ST and Carrera RS/RSR also fit in this category. Some are daily drivers some are event cars.

5. Early SWB and LWB track cars.

6. "Gruppe B" bastard cars that have no rules. They are there solely for the purpose of the owners creative vision for good or bad depending on your own veiwpoint.

Your car fits in Gruppe B at this moment. I don't say this derrogatorally at all. There are some $50k cars on this board that are stunning examples of what I would consider Gruppe B cars.

[Zef]

Yes...Yes...Yes...back to ORIGINAL.

[Wickd89]

Since you asked:

Definitely back to original.

Currently it looks messed up to me. Don't worry about the money, the changes will easily increase its value if done right.

Please get back to us with new pics during the process!!

[Joe Bob]

The gas burners (Mahles) are for a later car....70s.

Go with steelies with a nice chrome cap or early Fuchs.

edit for speeling

[Evans, Marv]

+1,000 back to original. Original SWB cars and LWB cars are becoming more and more rare. Wouldn't you feel better driving an original than something with a mish mash of parts hung on it?

[Tyson Schmidt]

Change it back ASAP.

Anyone who likes the look now doesn't know Porsches.

And they picked the hideous late-'73 big rubber bumperettes? Oh the humanity!

[Jim Richards]

Original would be an upgrade. That's what I'd do with your car if I was in your shoes.

[NY65912]

Go back to original for sure. Those very early cars are rare and are deserving of originality.

Otherwise the car IMHO looks like someone who knows nothing about Porsches screwed with it.

Of course my .02 cents.

[Jays72T]

Keep it as is.....



just kidding, I'm w/ everyone else here, change it back. Since you gathered all the parts you want to do it to and that all that really counts.

[mb911]

I would put it back the way it should be with a correct looking muffler at least as well as the bumper and trim

[Gogar]

Even though I love "Gas Burners", I say +1 for steelies.

Even though I don't think it looks dumb, it is a little confused and I bet you'd love it if you made it right.

[SandyI]

Back to original. Definitely lose the front and rear bumpers. And lose those friends who like the current look.

[jkarolyi]

Change it back, 100%.

If you're friends think it looks great now, they will flip out when they see it with the original chrome trim and wheels!!! Sell the Mahles for $1500+ , get some chrome steelies and mirrors, an don't forget to backdate the rear bumper.

[jwetering]

Originally posted by carsngolf
...many of my friends and others have said they like the current look and wouldn't change it. Any opinions?

Yes - find new friends!

It's like someone took all of the worst attributes of the later cars and stuck them on your historically significant car.

I think it's been said before, but it has to be said again...Oh the humanity!

[YTNUKLR]

it's amazing that not even 1 person on pelican has yet to say they prefer it "as is"!

and i agree with all of you, original front bumper guards, SWB early deco trim, durant original mirror (driver's side), 4.5x15" steel wheels with chrome caps, all chrome window trim and decklid grill, and get rid of that stupid '74 light panel, '73 bumperettes

that monza 4-pipe muffler looks silly to me, but if you like it.......

and, as someone mentioned, those wheels on there now are very valuable...should help with financing the change back to original!

just my 2 cents. good luck.