Not sure how familiar you are with the differences from the mid-years to the SC's & Carrera's. The mid-year Porshes are referred to as "narrow body" cars. I don't care for that look but you may. Starting with the SC's the bodies had fender flares in the front & back. They also had galvanized bodies which reduces the chances of rust. The SC's have a 3.0 liter engine which is considered by most, to be a much-more reliable engine than the earler engines. Not uncommon to get 300k miles out of a 3.0 motor. When I sold my SC it was approaching 200k miles and I took it to redline every time I drove it. Didn't smoke or burn any oil. (It did leave oil on the floor).

Whatever your cup of tea, take your time, the wrong car can be a money pit. Well the right car can too, but it's much more fun!

Good Luck on the pursuit.....

Thanks for the info.

Were the 3.0's in the SC Aluminum? I like the wide body, just had rememberance of the 76 911s that I haven't seemed to got over!

I want to make a choioce I'll be comfortable with. If one keeps wanting something "a little better", one can end up with nothing, yes?

The SC and Carrera with their wider rear fenders will allow you more latitude with rear wheel choices. I have a friend (a fellow Pelican - Pkaaso) who has a '74 and his biggest issue with tires is the lack of comfortable room for even 225/50 16's. The SC/Carrera will allow tires up to 265 wide with minimal - if any- massaging necessary. Some here have even gone to 275's.

yes, all motors 3L and larger are Al

Thanks for all the info!

One 76' 911s I've considerd has 200K miles, but had wide fender flares from a wide body welded in to address the narrow tire issue. No rust, re-painted, new seals, new polished fuchs and tires, stock drivetrain other than someone added an 11 blade fan sometime, new carpet and door panels, re-upholstered seats, clock and interior light don't work, starts and runs well, although consumes a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so, no suspension or brake work done yet, but functioning well...good price from owner who doesn't want to carry on...$6500. I was thinking, start looking for big, strong engine to install in the future, and start taking care of the "older car" issues now. Please, what else should I consider? Are the transmissions in these older cars up to handling more powerful engines? Maybe it's best to go to SC or newer, but I do like the older cars.
regards,
Ken

6500 for a rust free, running car is a pretty good deal.

All the 915 tranny's (from '72-89) are of roughly equal strength - the Mg cased ones are actually better in some ways than the Al ones. Wevo makes 2 pieces to beef up these things.

There is a long thread on the best trans. and another on the various changes thru the years. IIRC, the '76 is a nice one with Mg case and early repair issues were ironed out by then (guide tube and some other things).

I don't have these threads saved so you'll have to do a search to find them. You could post them here when you do and then this thread can help the next guy...

..and impact bumper cars are not ugly. they are the best looking of all :D