911s / 959 Clone - What to do ?!

[959replica]

Hi Guys,

I'm after a little advice if possible please.

I have recently purchased a 1974 911s 2.7 Coupe with a 959 body conversion as a restoration project. I know this body conversion may infuriate the purists, but I thought it looked like a fun project at the time.

Being the fool that I am, I purchased it blind. Upon interior stripping + lifting it up on a friends ramp it's basically rusty virtually everywhere. The floors, the under sills, the front under panel (not sure of it's correct name) beneath the battery tray + 10 or so other areas like under the front & rear screen corners, low down on the front inner arches etc.

Now ... this shell can be repaired (welded) by both myself (small areas) and by a local friendly garage owner (large areas).

The questions i'm currently pondering are :

a) Are these repairs really worth all the effort + expense, or b) would a shell change be a much easier option ? or, c) should I give up, strip it & sell the parts to hopefully get my purchase cost back ?

With option a) I would be looking at my time (not important as it's a fun hobby) but also around £4000 UKP in labour to sort the rest of the shell + planned modifications + welding I can't do. The current thoery if I go for the restoration option of the original shell is to turn it into a race type creation. ie. Full welded cage, sill bars (top sills are rust free) + then cut out all the floor & under-sills and replace with a flat floor & custom tunnel. The rest of the rust areas could be cut out and patched / replaced + blended in.
With option b) I'm new to 911's - But would a 993 shell (if i could find one) act as a base to transfer everthing accross too ? - If anyone knows the years that the shells remained the same from 74' onwards that would be a great help in helping me source a shell if this option is chosen.
Lastly, Option c) I enjoy a challenge ... so I really don't want to go down this route if at all possible. I'd love to go for option a) or b) but the more i strip off it the more rust & holes I find ... I'm feeling a little disheartened at the moment

Any thoughts are more than welcome !

Dave

A few images of the current state of the car as below - please have a stiff drink before viewing :

[jmz]

sell the parts or simply abandon it. You will lose your a$$ and in my opinion not really end up with a very cool car.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by jmz

sell the parts or simply abandon it. You will lose your a$$ and in my opinion not really end up with a very cool car.

Have to agree with Jay. Even if it were an original, complete 74 that amount of rot would be a big project that you wouldn't ever get a return on... and with that body I wouldn't touch it. Is the drivetrain any good? Maybe recoup some money selling it...

[Geronimo '74]

It's a bit sad to see one in this condition, with the rust and all....
The bodykit is up to you and your personal preferences. To be honest, many of us frown upon such kits, but it's yours to do as you please.
Unless the car has sentimental value, I'm afraid restoring may not be worth your effort and money.

[Dueller]

WOW...that is a true mess. But, we've all gotten hosed at one point or another dealing with old cars. Even if you could make a 993 tub work you'd still have an underpowered 2.7 hauling it around.

As far as the 959 body (and given your neck of the woods), I've often thought it would be fun to build a 959 rally replica from one of those fiberglass kits. Some skinny tall tires, plexiglass windows, raise the ride height, mud flaps...it'd be unique. Maybe you can find a targa roller cheap and weld the top from that car on it....or sumpin'

[oregonmon]

Wow, that looks a mess.

[island911]

Pretty cool that it even has shaved rain-gutters.

I like Dueller's idea.

[jasonlee]

Anything is possible with time and money...but that is a lot of rust, and as stated above on a conversion that is really not very desirable. I do like the idea of turning it into a a rally replica.

[80-911SC]

everybody laughed at that car when the posts went up (if thats the one, can't imagine that there were two) but it proved the adage that you can sell something to someone, you just have to find the right someone ............

looks in pretty rough shape, but you could learn with it. Buy a cheap welder and give it a try ......you could strip the body off, if its of any value and find a rolled car to get the bottom of off ????????? that rally idea would be cool ..........and an excuse to get creative .


best of luck

[Dueller]

Glad everybody likes the 959 rally replica idea. I know of no other done that way. Even if you did want to make it a non-rally 959 clone, it would be all show and no go. And if you upgraded with a 3.6 you'd have a fortune in it and it would still be viewed as a poser.

I think the critical area I'd be concerned about on the '74 chassis is the suspension pick up points and their integrity. Even if OK you'll still likely have an ongoing battle with rust on a non-galvanized car. But if the suspension pickups are solid (questionable), floor pans/rockers are relatively easy.

If the drivetrain/electronics are solid you might find a completely rust free bare post-'76 shell and transfer everything overover. Then throw on the body kit, try to make it as light as possible and you could have a pretty neat rally replica like no other. Even with a good running 2.7 it would be a neat revving play toy if you kept it as ight as possible.

[Dueller]

Here's a link to a real Dakar 959 for inspiration...even if you built it a little "ratty" it would have rally patina

959 Dakar

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by 959replica

The current thoery if I go for the restoration option of the original shell is to turn it into a race type creation. ie. Full welded cage, sill bars (top sills are rust free) + then cut out all the floor & under-sills and replace with a flat floor & custom tunnel. The rest of the rust areas could be cut out and patched / replaced + blended in.

Rat Rod in flat black or the Rally car scheme sounds good to me.

Just have fun with it and let it happen.

I like kit cars for the most part myself, I say make the best of it.

You have a lemon, now go make lemon-aid.

Do I smell a 350 Chevy in there?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Wouldnt the plates be worth something to the right buyer? The rally 959 seems like a cool idea. However, I'd want to try it with a better tub.

[tcar]

Dave,

Well, rust is pretty common in the British Isles - rain, rain, rain...

But, I think that kit cars are far, far more widely accepted there than here in the US. Tax reasons, maybe? VAT tax?

Maybe try to do the repair yourself? You can purchase replacement panels and weld them in yourself and save tons of money.

You'd have some personal satisfaction that way, maybe.

Or you could look for a later galvanized body; up to 89 Carrera is basically the same body. Actually the 964 is too.

As Jared said, the plates are very cool.

Not sure a Chevy V8 would be appropriate over there...

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Jared at Pelican Parts

Wouldnt the plates be worth something to the right buyer? The rally 959 seems like a cool idea. However, I'd want to try it with a better tub.

Yes, start with a 964 C4 with a salvage title... would be cool beans and no one would make fun of you..

[PCA7GGR]

"Run, Forrest, run!"

[959replica]

Wow, many thanks for all the replies guys !

I'm glad a few of you think the race type re-creation would be an interesting idea ... I quite fancy doing something a little different with it.

Anyway, planning on getting the engine out later this week when my friends ramp is free next. When thats out & it's stripped down a bit more hopefully it will become clear on what course of action to take

Dave

[ALXinNZ]

Porsche 959 Replica 1970 for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

[Wayne 962]

It's pretty far gone, and even if you can get it back to looking good, it will be tough to sell it later on...

-Wayne

[ALXinNZ]

Oh and whatever people say, it is still based on Porsche DNA. There are all sorts of replicas here RS, RSR , 934, 935, 550's....etc etc. At the end of the day Its a personal choice.
It really doesn't matter what others think we are only here for a short time so get on with it.