New SWB project

[w21055]

Now on to a SWB toy/project.
If you are like me you want to see pics and less story, but this one has a pretty neat story.
1st I wanted to build a R clone, so I had put a WTB ad on here.
I had looked at several here and locally but was finding them either out of my price range or rusted more than I wanted to deal with. Something else threw me off too.
My Dad got laid off and needed a way to get around so I bought him a pick up about 3 weeks ago, when I got home I looked on Craigslist and lo and behold an Irish Green 68 912 for well in my price range. It may have been on there for 2 hours when I emailed. The owner responded and said he had a guy looking at it and emailed a little later that he had a deposit. So I missed out and kept looking. Fast forward to this week.
Bill (Wilywilly) on here had a 912 for sale and after talking to him it was the one I missed. He has a pretty good story on how he bought it too. I had missed it once and figured not this time. Big thanks to Bill for passing it on.
So I got off early on Friday and drove up to get it. The car had been sitting for 5 years with its only drive by Bill after he got it running to his house @ 20 miles.
I drove it home @ 60 miles (uneventful except freezing) and started looking at what it needed. I spent Friday rounding up what I needed to try and get the paint to look better than the chalkboard it currently resembled.
Some history. The same guy owned it from 68 to 98 and took really good care of it. The last PO (Not Bill although the Duct tape is his handy work!) did not care for it as much as the 1st two owners. The Original window sticker is in the records as well as a Full engine rebuild receipt by ********s in 1979. Missing a few items on the tool kit but at least it is there. Interior is very nice for its age. The front suspension pan was replaced in 99 by Jack Lewis so it looks pretty fresh. At any rate here are some pics.







You think it shifts bad??






I will post some before after shots of the paint as you can tell it was VERY dull and chalky.


Thanks
Phillip

[w21055]

Now keep in mind it has been in the 20's so you can judge my craziness from there. I have never Wet sanded and buffed a car but thought there is no better one to practice on than this one.

The drivers side door, engine lid and roof were the worst. Someone had started waxing it and just stopped and let the wax bake into the paint.
Drivers door before.



After one session of 1000/1500/2000 and polishing this is how it sits now.




Engine lid

[w21055]

[w21055]

I want to do a full polish on the wheels that is what the last picture shows but may have to keep the black as that picture was taken after about 3 hours of oven cleaner and scotch brite and still there is black on the wheel.
So what do you think? So far I am very happy about how the paint has picked up, it still has plenty of scratches but at least now they are under gloss. Not sure if I will change much on it since it is mostly original. Got an order in with Pelican for a lot of small parts that need to be fixed. I will be asking plenty of questions on tuning it as this is the first Carbed Porsche I have owned.


And now at home with its stable mates.



Any advice or comments are more than welcome.


Thanks for looking
Phillip

[pozee]

Glad your search for a project worked out. Looks like a lot of fun in store.

Good luck!

[Wilywilly]

1968 912

25,469 Miles probably 125,459.

Purchased new by John D. Phillips of Columbus, Ga. On 5/30/1968

Irish Green, Tan Interior

Options included 5 Speed, Michelin Tires, Tinted Windows, Wooden Steering Wheel and Radio.
Total price out the door including tax and license was $5,566.65.

Have a stack of receipts, mostly from John Philips who owned the car into the 90's. It then traded hands a couple of times and finally wound up with the guy who I bought it from who purchased it on 10/08/1998 for $11,500. Must have been in pretty good condition at that price in 1998. The PO told me that Phillips had been the President of PCA for several years, I have not been able to confirm that. The PO drove the car as a daily driver until sometime in 2005. It has sat since. An attempt to wax the car had been made but the job had been given up and the wax dried and then baked. Lots of leafs and rubbish in the engine grill area but surprisingly no rust, surface or otherwise except for 4 small spots behind each of the bumper guards. I asked him when he last drove it, he said sometime in 2005. Asked him when he last started it, same answer. Checked the dipstick, really dirty and down a quart and some. Then I asked him if he minded if I tried to start it, he said sure. I took the distributor cap off and scraped all the contact points with a screw driver. Used jumper cables to a spare battery I bought (the one from my SC donor, another story). Disconnected the rotor, asked him to turn on the ignition and I checked all the lights, everything works except the turn signals (probably the flasher). Asked him to push down on the accelerator and noted that the carb linkage worked. Then told him to crank it and saw that gas was going through the see thru filter. Told him to stop and then hooked up the coil and told him to crank it some more but that I would handle the throttle. Got a couple of coughs, then went inside the house and out of the cold (mid twenties at 9 AM) and looked at the paperwork. All the paperwork was there including a signed letter from Ferry Porsche dated 5/5/74 addressed to Dear Porsche Owner and discussing emissions controls. Asked the PO if he minded if I tinker with it a little, he said no problem so I went back outside, it was still in the high 20's. I switched out batteries completely, hit both of the Solex air cleaners with some starter spray and kicked it over. After about three tries and handling the accelerator like a cold 356 I was able to keep it running long enough that it would idle by itself. Moved my White 356 / Xion clone, climbed back in the 912 and headed off. Clutch was fine, shifting was sloppy, brakes were hard but it felt good. Turned around went back into the driveway and parked it. Checked the oil again, still a quart down and real dirty. Then I did the Maestro thing with me sitting down with my knees crossed and stared at the car for at least a full 15 minutes. I made sure that I was visible to the PO while I went through this routine. I had previously checked all the numbers and saw that they agreed with the paperwork. Noted the tool bag complete with all the right tools and the jack and owners manual that was in primo condition, then went back inside and made a deal. I had a blank Bill of Sale, we filled it out, gave him a $70 cash deposit and I left, thinking that I'd return the next day with the balance. My Bank is in Texas which seemed problematic in getting enough cash but a call to them told me to just go to any bank and get a Debit Card Cash Draw, never knew you could do that and was good to go. Picked up an empty 5 gallon Gas Tank, a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil,and a tow rope (my pessimistic side) and went back, a 20 mile trip. Filled the gas can with 93 Octane on the way and when I got there along with one of my sons to drive the Xion home dumped a pint of the Marvel into the gas tank and into the oil tank as well as putting the 5 gallons of gas in the tank. Also refitted my battery, fired it up and drove home – another 20 miles. No problems, or stutters or unusual noises. Hit 70 in a 45 zone for just a blip, traffic was moving at 55. Noticed that the front rims were both hot, either dragging calipers or wheel bearings. This week will flush and change all the fluids, adjust the valves, do new plugs and distributor parts and fix a few odds and ends. Going to look into wet sanding. Used some Zymol and elbow grease on a small spot in the worse area – the top and it shined up a little, still can see many small scratches under it. I'm hoping I can get the paint back. I've heard good stories on renewing old paint with the proper sequence of tasks and the proper selection of chemicals. If it comes back real nice, may flip it. If it comes off sorta nice will probably give it to my son who is tired of the 10 mpg he gets on my F100 on his commute to work. Whenever one buys a Porsche, or any car for that matter, one never really knows if they got a good deal or not. I think maybe I'll do ok on this one, thanks to the first owner who obviously really cared for the car as is evidenced by the receipts he kept. Another year or two outside in the elements may have done this puppy in. I think I rescued it in time. Interior is real nice, no saggy seats, clean, good looking.

Good luck with it Phillip. ps I kept the letter from Ferry.

Bill

[rpidduck]

Before and after of another Irish Green '68 912. Your car looks remarkably like mine before it went off for restoration three years ago. Stick with it, the outcome can be more rewarding than brand new. And quick in the handling department. If you haven't already, check 912registry.org for tons of expertise on these cars. Good luck on your project. Richard

[w21055]

Richard,

What size tires are you running?

Your car is beautiful. I don't see a full resto coming on this one as I just spent a couple of years on My clone and I would like to see if I can do this one without spending as much money.

I do want some thru the grille lights though!

Thanks
Phillip

[rpidduck]

Phillip - The tires are 195/60 on the original 5.5x15 wheels, with the car lowered to Euro specs. My car was US spec so couldn't get the Hella 118s on factory delivery. They were installed a few weeks later by Porsche Vienna, to factory specs. Great thanks to Herr Franck wherever he may be today, the incredible service manager there, who was very resourceful and helpful to a green college student. He also installed triple air horns in the right front wheel well with under dash switches that, should US authorities get concerned, allowed the standard horn to be used. It all still works today. At restoration, the road rashed clear driving lenses in the 118s were replaced with dispersion fog type lenses. Wish I could find a couple of original type clear lenses. A looks thing now, with the H4 conversion providing very effective lighting.
Richard

[gsjohnson]

Love the Irish Green over the Tan look...

[Jagshund]

Originally Posted by w21055

Any advice or comments are more than welcome.

Stop making me look bad by washing your car in 20 degree weather.

[w21055]

Originally Posted by 1968Cayman

Stop making me look bad by washing your car in 20 degree weather.

Scott,

Washing it would have only taken a few minutes, I was wet sanding it in 20 degree weather!!


Phillip

[w21055]

Ok, My fingers won't be able to cut it to do a full polish on the wheels. I have done 3 sets in the RSR look and decided to do the Bob Tilton scotch brite method and think this will give them an aged but clean look. Got one done since I am getting in so late each night.
Before

After



My pelican order gets here tomorrow so I will be doing a lot of behind the scenes work to get it more daily driver ready.


Thanks
Phillip

[w21055]

Made some progress over the past week, not much exciting, but the wheels did get finished, I did a different finish than I have seen. I had a major oil leak appear and it was the valve gaskets, fixed the shifter bushings, bought new tires, lowered the front end a tad and started on the interior.
Since everything is original I am trying to use what I can without buying new, plus it makes for cheap fun.
The carpet is very faded so I was just about to order a new set when I decided I would see what would happen to it if I put an electric shaver on it. I think I can live with it, what do you think? I haven't touch the drivers side yet.
Before



After




Went ahead and put it all back in the car so it is complete right now.

[Wilywilly]

Great idea and looks good. Great color to. It'l hide those spilt lattes on your way to C&O.

Bill

[Jagshund]

Originally Posted by w21055

Scott,

Washing it would have only taken a few minutes, I was wet sanding it in 20 degree weather!!


Phillip

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your backside.

[csimeon]

aaaaaaaa has your wife seen you put those car mats on the oriental rug? Be careful man! Mine is Irish green too I love it.

I suggest you try doint the stitching on the piping on a new set of mats in green. Sand carpet, sand piping, green stitching

[w21055]

Originally Posted by csimeon

aaaaaaaa has your wife seen you put those car mats on the oriental rug? Be careful man! Mine is Irish green too I love it.

I suggest you try doint the stitching on the piping on a new set of mats in green. Sand carpet, sand piping, green stitching

Ha, not married so no worries there, plus my Girlfriend hates that rug thats why it is in the breakfast area. I am going to try and stick to original as much as I can for now except the wheels (they have a 73 date on them so I know they are not right). A keen eye would pick up on the SC gas pedal, I bought a new correct one but it keeps jumping off the linkage.

[csimeon]

Hello again, sell the rug and buy a car piece!
Original sounds great, my average eye for originality spotted:
- non original stereo and intrusive non original speakers (hiding the non original gas pedal)
- the thickness of the seats' matting and the looseness-sagging of the leatherette is suspicious. Check if the original seat upholstery is underneath and this is an over cover.

Again , nice car man and you will I'm sure make it even better. Just practicing my observation skills.

[csimeon]

PS
I very envious of the prices and selections you guys have in the USA for cars like this. Not so here in Greece.