Brace Yourself...

[rennch]

Hi.

I've just taken on this swiss cheese project to restore to a solid body...which weirdly seems fun to me. I need to brace the chassis since I'm going to be cutting off a LOT of stuff. My inital thought is a door brace from latch to hinge panel (maybe triangulated?) but I'm curious where else you'd brace the chassis? I have 20' of 1" square tubing, but can get more if I need.

Order of operations (I think) are going to be longitudinal/spring plate area, then inner rockers, then floors, then outer rockers, then front end, then everything else.

Here are some pics. As I said...brace yourself.

I will do an official build thread on it, as well as document the whole thing on the rennch youtube channel.

[Tom '74 911]

You are a brave man for taking that one on...
Best of luck!
Tom

[Marc Bixen]

Why don't you just "Re-tub" it?

[rennch]

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

Why don't you just "Re-tub" it?

Because it's meaningful to the owner. And not as fun.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

A Celette bench is your new best friend.

[Bill Douglas]

To keep costs down I would get a tram gauge and check the square-ness, correctness, of the body. See that it's not bent. Then bolt or temporarily weld in a few diagonals under the car.

That way you can cut and chop bits out to your heart's delight.

[rennch]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

To keep costs down I would get a tram gauge and check the square-ness, correctness, of the body. See that it's not bent. Then bolt or temporarily weld in a few diagonals under the car.

That way you can cut and chop bits out to your heart's delight.

Thus bringing us back to the original question. Weld where?

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by rennch

Weld where?

Good point. I was going to say, for the rear, the torsion bar tube covers bolt on. But that's one of the worst places.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by rennch

Thus bringing us back to the original question. Weld where?

Why not just build an alloy body 60’s Ferrari from scratch? It would be easier.

[rennch]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Why not just build an alloy body 60’s Ferrari from scratch? It would be easier.

Ye of little faith.

[75 911s]

Dang. On the bright side, you're going to get a lot of practice improving your metal working skills.

[brighton911]

I don't think there is anything there to work/weld with that will result in any kind structural rigidity.

[porschedude996]

Woooh, not a project I would attempt. I would call the sheet metal a sky-light.

[Tom '74 911]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

A Celette bench is your new best friend.

In all seriousness, this is the most constructive comment so far. I've been debating w/myself (which is great because I win either way!) on whether to wade further in w/a response to your photos. I've hesitated because I don't want to squash the dream or your enthusiasm w/a response that will likely be tossed aside - because it's not like Celette benches grow on trees! However, because of the extent of the rust/rot on that tub, especially around pretty much every KEY point including the rear torsion/torque tube, a Celette really is the best option. I have nothing but applause and respect for anyone taking on a project that extensive, but one thing I really don't like to see is someone putting that much time, energy and $$ into something that has only a small chance of success. That sounds more harsh than I intend it to be, but it's REALLY important that the tub is square and straight when you're finished! Stack the deck in your favor!! You've taken on some significantly difficult tasks, you deserve to work with proper tools to get the job done correctly! If someone is paying you to do that work, they deserve a straight, rust-free tub when you are finished. Regardless, I wish you the best on the project.

[john walker's workshop]

Are there any mounting points remaining that a celette can mount to?

[Dpmulvan]

When welders became affordable for the masses it put us all in great danger. Not sure what the hell is going on in that yellow circle.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Are there any mounting points remaining that a celette can mount to?

Good point. I think it would be worth spending some time talking with a 911 Celette specialist like David Runge.

Runge Eleven

[wjdunham]

Any pics of the full car? Would be interesting to see the whole picture...

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

When welders became affordable for the masses it put us all in great danger. Not sure what the hell is going on in that yellow circle.

It is a glacially slow speed clip, I think.

How would you even save this car?

[ryans65]

I think pound for pound you'll be adding more new than old, that being said please update this thread as often as you can. I love this type of total resurrection work.