What have I done!!!

[Phoenix]

I've been a baaaad boy,

Overall my '73t (Phoenix) which I've owned since '99 and have already body "restored" after purchasing including bodywork and a complete motor rebuild looked like it was in great shape.

I've since gone through the entire interior, gauges, carpet, dash and seats & seatbelts (were missing). The suspension is now better than new with upgraded bushings, shocks, torsion bars, etc... including a corner balancing all courtesy of Farnbacher Loles. FL also completely rebuilt the motor to slightly more than E specs effectively erasing my MotorMeister nightmare (search here for the complete fiery saga if you have the stomach for it). I was lucky enough to pick up the car from its motor rebuild just a month before FL imploded. The brakes have been completely sorted with new rotors, ss lines, better and new pads.

10 years of driving plus multiple track days have created several stone chips and a few questionable bubbles percolating thru the paint. There was also noticeable rust around the passenger battery box. Also, I always had a nagging feeling that the body "restoration" wasn't as complete as I would have liked. Certainly not to the standards of the motor or suspension.

You would think I would leave well enough alone. Noooo... Porscheitus has me by the ... well, you know where.

For the past few months Phoenix has been at Automotive Restorations in Canton, CT who are taking it to the next level. The body rust issues are being dealt with as well the fenders, doors and lid fit issues addressed. The trim is off to be re-anodized plus I'm adding corner vent windows from a '72 which I've always thought should have been kept on the '73. The seats will get hounds tooth inserts. Child safety seat mounts will be added in the rear. This will make the car much more functional. Also can't wait to take 3 year old Cooper for his first Porsche ride. The motor will be cosmetically brought back to original (love a sleeper) and that pesky hesitation in the PMOs will be eliminated. And of course details like re-plating hardware, door handles, and other assorted bits will be taken care of.

I can't wait until spring for the first ride.

Ken at AA has been super kind in providing progress photos which I'm happy to share. More to come as the project moves forward...


Before stripping, the paint actually looks pretty good - from 5 feet








Taking a closer look, more of the disease is uncovered...







Strip away all the paint and all is revealed and can be properly addressed...

[Phoenix]

[naparsei]

Man! They stripped down your 911, and there was a 356 underneath all that paint! That's crazy!

Looking good.

[RSBob]

What have you done? You have spent massive amounts of moola and should have a killer machine to show for it.

[72 four door]

I see the original color was orange. are you going back to original?

[Phoenix]

I know this will cost me but....

Actually, the original color is Oxford Blue aka Dalmation Blue which is how we'll keep it. It's a unique color which I love.

[Lukesportsman]

I just figured they were painting it with left over colors from their lift to coordinate. Blue with yellow tape. Best of Luck!

[Rob T.]

Originally Posted by naparsei

Man! They stripped down your 911, and there was a 356 underneath all that paint! That's crazy!

Looking good.

[Dublinoh]

Man! They stripped down your 911, and there was a 356 underneath all that paint! That's crazy!

Same observation LOL

[gsxrken]

More pics, please!

[garywo2000]

They stripped down your 911, and there was a 356 underneath all that paint!