1971 911T Resto Project

tedward515 · 08-07-2008, 08:56 PM

Hi everyone. I've been lurking about, here on the forum for the past year or so with just a couple of posts. Well a few months back I finally had my car shipped to Florida, after moving from Michigan almost three years ago. Anyway now that I have my car and a garage I have started to dig into the car. The car runs and drive and is mostly original but just real tired with all of the normal rust issues. This is my first restoration so please be gentle when I make dumb mistakes.

A few pics to get started with. I will be posting more soon. Stay tuned.

I don't think this is factory

Rust

More Rust

More rust. I think I see a reacurring theme here.

Eddie

ShakinJoe · 08-07-2008, 09:56 PM

Looks like fun!! I am in St. Pete FL. PM me when you need a hand with heavy lifting.

tedward515 · 08-27-2008, 06:31 PM

Thanks ShakinJoe, I might just have to take you up on the help sometime. The same goes for you if you need any help. I've been following your thread on putting your 87 on a diet and find it very inspiring along with so many other threads that everyone posts on this site.

So I was able to get out to the garage today and do a little work on the car. I started by taking out the aftermarket Coolair ac system. I don't plan on this being a daily driver so although I'm sure there will be times that I will miss it, I don't plan on reinstalling it. It also frees up quit a bit of space in the trunk that will be nice to have later when it's back on the road. Now I will have to find a usable lid and hinges for the smugglers box. Later on when I'm doing the body I plan on welding up the gaping hole that the old Coolair system left behind.

Now this is my first 911 so I assume that the area that was cut out was just flat and that I can weld in a flat piece of sheet metal. Or was there some sort of opening or something else?

I also noted this small piece screwed to the wheel well and looked on the other side inside of the smugglers box. It has what look like little louvers and appears to be original from the factory. So I guess my question is what is it and is it supposed to be there?

Thanks,

Eddie

ShakinJoe · 08-27-2008, 07:15 PM

I am in the AC business...let me know if you need assistance in that area.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

smuggler's box lid is a stout piece fo steel with wide ribs and a gasket (!)

there are aftermarket Al ones with holes or you could leave it open or use a piece of plastic

advtracing · advtracing's Garage

very intrested in you progress as i am just starting the same project with a 1972 911T in worse condition
Some one in the past has done a sc conversion for looks ( the idiots) and i get to convert it back

POORSH · 08-27-2008, 08:37 PM

I am a sucker for these threads.
Subscribed..

Fast Corners · 08-28-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedward515

I also noted this small piece screwed to the wheel well and looked on the other side inside of the smugglers box. It has what look like little louvers and appears to be original from the factory. So I guess my question is what is it and is it supposed to be there?

The louvers are from the factory. They provide ventilation to the smugglers box area. When the air system was installed in the car the louvers were capped off by the dealer (if it was dealer installed...as it was on my '73). They are capped off so that the fan will not suck water, dirt, road grime, etc. into the smugglers box and then possibly through the cold air vents and on to the driver's and/or passenger's knees.

TerryBPP · 08-28-2008, 10:38 AM

I'm in SWFL too, so if you need a tool or a hand let me know.

mjshira · 08-28-2008, 12:02 PM

thanks for sharing, should be fun, a bunch of work, but fun.

Zeke · 08-28-2008, 12:34 PM

I love rustoration threads. You could use a Rennline product on the smugglers. Like the battery holder. That's trick in my book.

911pcars · 08-28-2008, 03:32 PM

You have a project. I suggest keeping an eye out for a used factory smugglers box lid. However, don't worry about this trifle until you're almost finished. There's plenty of valid reasons to lose interest on a project like this. Not being pessimistic, but realistic. Will you have the sustained fortitude to complete this project to enjoy the presence of the smugglers lid?

The major stuff looks to be chassis rust. Get that sorted out first.

MHO,
Sherwood

Jim Williams · 08-28-2008, 05:08 PM

I have a decent smuggler's box lid I just removed from a '70 I'm parting. Drop me an email if you are interested.