That's exactly the route I went......and I'm lovin' it!! What a blast to drive. The 3.2 (with cat bypass & SW chip) just lights up that mid-year chassis. I've had an 80 SC and an '89 Carrera which were both nice performers, but my '77 3.2 is noticeably faster than either.....and more fun to drive in my opinion.

Middies
 

I agree that Middies get a bad rap at times, but a well maintained and upgraded 911 is a good one no matter what the year. Therre are some characteristics that you need to be aware of on Middies and all have been well outlined in this string.

I am the second owner of a 92K original miles 74 911, bone dry stock except for the necessary upgrades i.e. 11 Blade Fan, Chain Tensioners, Popoff Valve, etc. and I prefer the more original narrow body, light weight and engine sound.

Everyone has their favorites and preferences so just find a 911 with the characteristics you desire, fits your budget (always buy the best condition car you can afford) and performance needs and enjoy. Get a PPI to confirm the condition of the car for peace of mind and to avoid costly problems.

Here is a pic of my Middie

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1228254164.jpg

I really like the look of the flared 911's!

But there is just something about the narrow bodied 911 that appeals to me more!

One day i am going to find out what a 'thermal reactor' is!

Until then, i'm just going to keep admiring the classic lines of the '74.

Cheers, Col.

Nice car! Browns rule!

Brown is officially back. I saw a new Porsche ad with a metallic brown 911, gorgeous!

Well, I did it.......I just joined the middies.

My PPI came back today with green lights, worst things were needing a new air filter, tie rods, and shocks. No rust issue's, engine has all the updates, and over all a very solid driver/weekend 911s

I won't get the car till next week and will throw up some photo's when I can. It is a 1975 911s Targa. Wife said not to expect much under the Christmas tree........ :)

Thanks for everyone's input.

I read the same things as you. I still went for a 74. I enjoy it everyday it's not snowing or raining......or winter, or late fall, or early spring. God I hate Wisconsin November threw April.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...l/DSCF0302.jpg

One funny thing about that 75 in the video are the flag mirrors on it. My 75 had the sweet chrome mirrors on it still... I love chrome. :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/...d0f1cd8c_o.jpg

Congratulations!
 

Sounds like you have a winner! It even has a few things left for you to do.

Turbo tie rods are the normal way to replace the tie rods. Ball joints, inserts/shocks can get done at the same time before the needed alignment.

We would like a list of the engine work that has been done. I'm sure there will be something that was left out - in someone's opinion.

I have my 1975 911S Targa almost completely sorted now. Over the last six years since buying my father-in-laws car, I have become part of it as it has become part of me. I am preparing to paint a fiberglass ducktail I came across. I did an engine rebuild myself over the last year and have been waiting for the SSI's that have been backordered. I got the call yesterday - the stainless steel heat exchangers will be here tomorrow. In time for the ....... now 1600 mile valve adjust and headstud torque check. Time to find a track day at Thunderhill for "testing".

Enjoy your car - we need pictures - lots!

Decambered ball joints !!

Congratulations and welcome, officially, to the "Midyear Club."
You got lots of great info and opinions from this thread, and that will be just the beginning. Having a 75S of my own, I think you'll be very pleased with your choice. Yes, you have to be careful of the rust (past and future), but common sense and Porsche care will get you through.

BTW, a general misconception is that only the 74 came without thermal reactors--not true. For the 75 model year in the U.S., only the California cars had the dreaded reactors, which killed the engine pretty quickly, and the other 49 states did not have them. My particular car came from the east so it never had the problem of extreme heat. That being said, the 75 is essentially identical to the coveted 74, save for the oversized bumper guards on the rear.
Enjoy your ride and get those pics posted as soon as she arrives.

I sec the welcome . As my Sig states no stranger to the 75 s club !

Everyone is so busy defending the reputation of the mid-years, there are few comments about the video. The guy knows his Porsches. Everything he said is correct - but as stated earlier, I would run from any Porsche that looked like that car.

Mid-years are not for everyone. I would never recommend them to someone that pays a mechanic for all their repairs and tune-ups. It's pretty easy to spend more than the car is worth - but that's also true for the SCs. They are however, a killer deal for those that know what they are getting into. I have been daily driving mine to work for about 10 years now. It runs great, and is very reliable - it has had all the updates. For what I paid, I can't believe what I got. Rust free and trouble free, a great combination. I also like the retro look and feel of the narrow body, without the high prices of the long hoods. And I drive mine rain or shine - have to - it rains all the time around here in the PNW.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1228271183.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1228271267.jpg
Mine is the red one on the right with the weird tail LTS

It was an early type of pollution control exhaust system noted for setting grass on fire if the car or truck was driven or parked ontgrass.

The term is used b/c they actually 'reacted' the unburned fuel inside -- this generated a cleaner exhaust and as a byproduct, hellfire.

If you have a catalytic converter, go give it a nice kiss. It has saved you and your car from the fires of hell.

I dont think the 'OZ delivered cars had them!

Mine did come with the 11 blade fan & oil cooler though!

Thankyou for clearing that up RWebb.

Cheers, Col.

Thanks guys,

Here is some engine info, let me know what else to look for:

2.7 engine, 11 blade fan, Carrera oil fed tensioners, heat exchangers, internal oil regulator, head studs, new "S" hose? Stated miles are around 80k.

Here's a picture I received from the seller.

I should also clarify that I was not looking for a trailer queen, but a nice driver/weekend car. I fully expect to keep this 911 around for a long time.

I had a 1968 Softwindow Targa back in 2003 and never should have sold it( although it did need some work as you can see), I told myself I would get another early model someday and today was the day. Here's a picture of my old 68 and the "new" 75. Transport truck should be here Wednesday and I'll post newer photos.

Mally





http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1228275125.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1228275146.jpg

Looks like a nice car, congrads!

I have a '77 with a 3.2 in it that I picked up last June and I'm slowly sorting her out. I was attracted to the '77 for a few different reasons: I had a '69T before with a 3.0 which I loved and regrettably sold. To me the middies have some of the qualities of the longhoods (lightness and simplicity) without the rust issues and big prices. The middies are just slightly heavier than the longhoods but the bodies are also stronger and more rigid. My '77 has a rust-free galvanized body, decent brakes with a booster, aluminum rear control arms, a 915 tranny; just a few improvements on the earlier cars. The 3.2 solves all the issues of the 2.7 and makes for a reliable, economical and powerful motor. Plus middies are different! (I'm funny that way). So can anyone tell me what's wrong with a good middie BESIDES the well known motor issues? Also........if you want an inexpensive 911 to tweak/modify/build/learn on etc. you won't feel like you are commiting sacrelidge if you alter it or make a race car out of it. The narrow body is also a matter of taste. Personally, I like the slim look with a set of sevens tucked under the wheel arches. Very "old school". A middie is like the plain looking girl you knew in high school that was really fun in bed! Then when you saw her at the reunion she looked better than ever. Fast forward ten years and I think people will look at the middies differently. Just my (biased) opinion. Enjoy your new car!

same conversation, but a slow day on pelican so who cares.

this is true for ANY year or car. the know how to fix it can make up for a lot in the repair bills. in my case, 7500 got me a very nice and straight 77, what condition would a $7500 3.0 be in? yes, the 3.0 engine is VERY nice.
i heard you could also buy a mid/late 80's 3.2 and have to do a valve job at 60k miles, kinda the same story as a 2.7.
if your budget is at that line between a nice middie and and lower end
SC, that can be a tough one. keep looking and learn more about the cars before you jump in.
there seems to be an interest in the 77's due to the lighter bodies and being galvanized. may be something you can get at a good price that will go up in value much faster than the earlier short hoods.