Carrera 3.0 Unique Spec & Picture Thread

[Bill Jennings]

As a new owner of a Carrera 3.0 I am quickly discovering that not all Carrea 3.0's are the same nor is there a single resource for parts or servicing specs etc.
For instance my Carrera 3.0 has a 4th January 1976 build date but Porsche calls it a 1977 model and some parts are 1976 only parts and some are 1977 parts. I know the model was made for only two years in small numbers, how many are left hand drive, right hand drive, Targa or Coupe, what options were factory supplied etc. I'd like to know how rare my 1977 UK supplied RHD Sienna Metallic Sunroof Coupe is.

What I would like to try is a call to all Carrera 3.0 owners to add pictures and any specific Carrera 3.0 part numbers and or servicing info specific to the Carrera 3.0 or anything else specific to these amazing cars.

I know there is a Carrera 3.0 Registry which my PO registered with and I updated but it is not a ready open resource for running them on a daily basis.

My car according to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity supplied by Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited that the PO obtained says:
Model Year / Type 1977/Carrera Coupe 3.0
Production Completion Date 4/1/1976
Date of Registration 01/05/1976
Exterior Paint Colour / Code Sienna Metallic / Z5Z5
Optional Equipment: Black trims in chrome, chrome headlamp rings, 5 speed
Chassis/ 9117600150
Engine Number 6670193
Transmission Number 170836
Selling Porsche Centre Information Not Held
Interior Material / Colours Cork Leatherette
I will take a engine picture soon as I get over the flu!

[tazzieman]

Magnificent in all respects! That almost looks unused! Nice pick up

[Bill Jennings]

The car does look great in the photo's but is certainly not perfect more a day off or get the cobwebs out driver and I am going to get my CAMS racing licence and do some track day/ hillclimb time. I have put about 1000 miles on her in the two months since importing her to Australia and am trying to go through her methodically to bring her up to full working order. My short list so far, rear bearing whine, unoperable temperature gauge, slow drivers window, automatic heating system incomplete & not working (floor lever only at the moment), no pop off valve, missing engine insulation, some small oil leaks onto headers and another leak on the connection below the trombone cooler thermostat, heavily glued on front compartment carpet, had to register car as a two seater until I source 3 point rear seat belts and child restraints, small paint imperfections and rust bubbles and finally but not least, untidy welding repairs between floor and body seam. I have just given her a oil and filter + air filter change to flush her out and will do the valves, fix thermostat leak, fit pop off valve, change plugs, ignition wires, cap & rotor too in the next week. She has the 5 blade fan and I am wondering if I should upgrade to an 11 blade as it gets pretty hot here in the summer, still we are just going into winter here so no rush to decide that and I still need to fix the temp gauge to see how hot she runs anyway.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by Bill Jennings

The car does look great in the photo's but is certainly not perfect

They never are!
Main thing is to protect your engine (pop off valve , temp gauge in case you lose the fanbelt) and don't allow the rust bubbles to grow.
The rest is all niggly stuff and there is plenty on this site to guide us all through the nasties like rear wheel bearings.
Luckily you "get it" and the car won't end up in a museum garage. Like dogs , these machines really do need to be exercised regularly
The C3.0 is indeed a special version , so you have a responsibility now!

[Bill Jennings]

tazzieman,

Yeah I think I do get it in an addicted kind of way! I had a 79 SC Targa for several years before emigrating six years ago from the UK to Oz and had to sell it to pay for the huge bond attached to my visa. Since arriving I have always pined for another 911 but wanted to absolutely get the right car. I wanted a rare sporty coupe, that was light and classic and affordable. I decided 3 years ago that the C3 was the car I wanted but it was not easy finding a decent one. The ones in Oz tended to be high mileage and expensive so I started looking abroad. After a couple of paid for inspections on private seller cars I saw this car in Total 911 magazine, it was a four or five page article with many pictures of my car but the writeup was more generic C3. Everything I had read up till then was that the C3 was the dogs bollocks for power and weight, was rare, had the bulletproof 930 bottom end, was virtually unknown and would only appreciate. I wanted a car I could track, was eligable for historic racing in Oz yet suitable for Sunday drives with the missus. I was in the UK last year but couldn't see the car as it was in the body shop getting the B posts redone by the seller ePorsche. A couple of months later the missus was in the UK so I had her go have a look and bought it without inspection sight unseen by me. Roly the owner comes across as a decent seller of working porsches and I liked and trusted him. I have not been disapointed.
I intend to use this car for what it was built for and with the obscene speed limits in Oz that means track time. I drive a huge amount of K's in my job and hate the ridiculous speed limits and have had more than my share of minor speeding tickets. I recieved the car from the UK two weeks after going to a good behaviour licence and have to be a very good boy for 12 months.

[arrowSC]

Hi Bill, congratulations on the new car, but sorry to see another one leave these shores.

Have you found impactbumpers.com yet? Loads of info about these cars, worldwide owner profile including quite a few down under and several photos of your car already there form past threads.
Enjoy the C3, it's a great choice

[GWhite]

Bill, I run the Porsche Club Gb register, have a Carrera 3 myself and know your car well having met the previous owner at several events.

The Porsche model years run from August for UK deliveries so the 1977 model year cars which yours is were delivered from August 1976. The quoted production and registration dates from the COA appear erroneous and in fact the DVLA database shows your car registered 1st October 1976 which is comensurate with it being #150 in a production run of about 1500 coupes.

Your car is also a non-sport model to which the spoilers and Fuchs rims have been added explaining why you have 1976 parts.

Altogether some 2500 C3 coupes were produced so it is not too rare but still resonably uncommon and prices appear to be on the up.

Guy

[Schottenkaro]

@ Bill

a very nice car with a super-cool colour. I have also an '77 Carrera 3.0 targa. The 5-blade fan seems to be o.k., as I have never experienced any cooling problems. But fix the temp gauge first, the rest is easy stuff (o.k., maybe the oil leaks....). Congrats to this car!!

The only thing I would worry about is that the Porsche CoA has obviously wrong dates on it. But maybe that happens...

@ Gwhite...

What's a "non-sport model" of the Carrera 3.0 coupé? There is no option in the '77 catalogue for spoilers. And I've never heard of those models. Do you have any data on hand?


Cheers!


Mike

[GWhite]

Originally Posted by Schottenkaro

@ Bill

@ Gwhite...

What's a "non-sport model" of the Carrera 3.0 coupé? There is no option in the '77 catalogue for spoilers. And I've never heard of those models. Do you have any data on hand?


Cheers!


Mike

Mike,

The Carrera 3 was sold in th UK in two distinct versions, the 'non-sport' model had the usual factory options plus impact absorbing bumpers, tinted glass and a sunroof on coupe models. The 'sport' model had additionally front & rear spoilers, Fuchs wheels (7&8x15 in 1976 or 6&7x16 in 1977), sports seats and Bilstein dampers.

Where abouts in the world are you?

Guy

[Bill Jennings]

Guy,
Thank you for the information about my car I was not expecting to hear from anyone who knew it or the PO. I'd love to ask him a few questions about the car but wouldn't want to impose execpt to ask if he still has the key for the round alarm lock someone intalled in the dash! Frankly the COA dates didn't make sense to me at all even if I used the american way of reading the date and the supplying dealer info was unavailable.
Is the non-sport mechanically different from the sport, same engine output, suspension & brakes etc? I did think my car was a pretty basic model from it not having the optional passenger side mirror though there does appear to be a cruise control stalk which I have yet to explore. The passenger seat has a couple of difficult/impossible to repair splits in the leatherette and cloth are these materials obtainable at all? The drivers seat is pretty much perfect and most of the interior is very good too!

Mike,
I have the correct sender on the way and have been checking the oil temp with a infra red thermometer which has been reading 170-180f but we have just gone into winter here in Oz. The thermostat to the trombone is working as well but have not recorded the temp when it opens yet, just glad it opens. My biggest oil leak worry is the join below that thermostat as there is a piece of rubber wrapped around it and secured by a clamp in an attempt to stem the flow. I will have a look at that once I drain the oil to adjust the valves etc.

If anyone else knows this car or has any pictures of it I would love to hear from them.

cheers

Bill

[Bill Verburg]

I series Carrera 3.0 were model year 1976
J series Carrera 3.0 were model year 1977

I can tell that your is a J series from the large central air outlet in the dash
The chrome trim is unusual for a C3, most have black trim

The sport option(put together by/for the English importers) consisted of front and rear spoilers and 7/8 x15 Fuchs w/ 205/50//225/50 tires, in '77 for the J series cars the optional wheels were 6/7 x16 w/ 205/55//225/50, the wheels were also available separately

all used the same engine 2994cc, 200hp, 930/02 engines and A/M brakes w/ 282.5/290 x20 mm rotors

I series used a 19.05mm unboosted m/c, J series used a 20.6mm boosted m/c

the second power mirror was an option often not selected, like lsd, as were the spoilers in most markets

tempostat(aka cruise control) was standard but was/is a pia to keep in operation

Bilsteins were standard on all I & J series C3s

the I series used a 915/44 5speed, J series used a 915/61 w/ improved syncros but was otherwise identical to the /44, 1/2 way thru the '77 MY run the trans case was changed from mg. to al.

I did change my 5 blade to a later 11 blade as the 11 blades fans do flow more air even if the pulley ratio is altered(even more if the stock pulley ratio is retained.

[Schottenkaro]

@ GWhite

I'm from Switzerland. Never heard of specific English versions. As Switzerland is a neighbour country to Germany, cars were delivered to German regular specifications, means a "regular version", that could be upgraded.

I have the '76 and '77 factory pricelists. According to the German '77 pricelist, Bilsteins were not standard to the C3, but an option (474) as were Konis (402). Chrome is also an option (446). Also the sunroof (650), also the 16" Fuchs (395). The Tempostat (454), also an option, works flawlessly in my car. Never experienced any problems so far..

I didn't know about some country-specific packages, so I apologize...


Cheers!


Mike

[GWhite]

Bill, I will email the PO, I.m sure he will be pleased to answer any of you questions.

Bill Verburg is correct that the mechanics are the same for the sport and non-sport apart from Bilsteins on the sport although they could be separately specified as an option on the non-sport which had Boge as standard.. I don't think you will find a brake booster on yours as they didn't appear on the UK manual cars until the SC.

I had your car noted as having cruise control, strange that it is not on the COA.

I believe your seats had cork pinstripe cloth, in the UK Southbound are the ones to contact for information on availablity.

Guy

[Bill Jennings]

Guy,
I'm not sure what to make of the COA I hope the PO didn't pay much for it. I was going to frame it and put it on the garage wall but not so sure now!
I really do appreciate the info and your kind offer to contact the PO on my behalf.
My main interests are getting hold of any racing history or track photo's if any and any info on mods or non standard parts.
Your memory about the interior is spot on I will contact Southbound as I will need both cork pinstripe and cork leatherette.
I do find it strange that the car has two different tans, cloth on front seats only and some black trim as well.
Those crazy germans!

Bill Verburg,
Many thanks for your informative list I really can't get too much detail about these great cars.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Schottenkaro

@ GWhite

I'm from Switzerland. Never heard of specific English versions. As Switzerland is a neighbour country to Germany, cars were delivered to German regular specifications, means a "regular version", that could be upgraded.

I have the '76 and '77 factory pricelists. According to the German '77 pricelist, Bilsteins were not standard to the C3, but an option (474) as were Konis (402). Chrome is also an option (446). Also the sunroof (650), also the 16" Fuchs (395). The Tempostat (454), also an option, works flawlessly in my car. Never experienced any problems so far..

I didn't know about some country-specific packages, so I apologize...


Cheers!


Mike

AFN was the English importer for Porsche at that time, they speced 2 versions of the C3, normal and Sport, the Sport version(at least for the I series in '76 in England) had 7 & 8 x15 Fuchs wheels w/ 205/50 & 225/50 P7 tires and front and rear spoilers, otherwise it was the same as the normal C3. They also loaded all the cars they imported w/ what were considered luxuries at the time, tempostat, AC,

The equipment packages were probably different for the various markets, I bought my I series Targa in in Frankfurt in Dec ' 76, tempostat, auto heat, Bilstein shocks, black trim, moveable front quarter widows were standard, extras were 7&8 x15 Fuchs w/ 205/50//225/50 P7s, lsd, leather sport seats L&R, front and rear spoilers, Blaupunckt Frankfurt radio and speakers, left side power mirror

options not included were impact absorbing bumpers, tinted glass, AC, electric windows

I'm also sure that coupes had a different list of standards, for instance the door quarter widows were fixed and I believe that electric windows were standard on coupes.

as far as the tempostat goes you are lucky, my experience agrees w/ the commentary from contemporary magazine reviews that it's action was coarse and surging w/ too wide a range of variation and 'Motor' which did a 12,000 mi test had a failure soon after taking delivery of their C3 normal which was never rectified, other electric failures they had were w/ the 3 speed + intermittent wiper system, I've also experienced issues here but it has always been intermittent and has fixed itself so far, 35+ year into ownership I have had few issues that were not of my own doing, Bilsteins have been replaced once, tempostat ditched, some stiching on the leather sport seats has rotted, the leather itself is showing some signs of age where the dye has been rubbed off(the seats need to be recovered), the oe rear spoiler was swapped out for a lighter aftermarket version and of course the engine transmission and brakes have all been replaced w/ more up to date versions

I guess that I really shouldn't comment on what happened for the '77 J series cars as I never owned or shopped for one just know what I have read over the years. Though I'd be really surprised if Bilsteins were no longer standard but then I was surprised to find A calipers instead of S on mine

[RatBox]

In the DE market , and most likely everywhere C3's were available. In 1976MY (I don't know about 77MY ....I don't 'think' they were available any longer ...at least on price lists ....but that does not necessarily mean a buyer might not have been able to specify....who knows ? I refering to the 15" versions) :

If the optional 7 & 8 x 15 fuchs were ordered , they came fitted with 185/70-15 front & 216/60-15 rear tires ( I do not know what brand ...anyone? ).

The 205/50-15 front & 225/50-15 rear (P7) tires were a an additional separate option. When this 50 series tire option was ordered , a differant speedo was fitted to the car. It was spec.'ed to match the lower profile tires.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by RatBox

In the DE market , and most likely everywhere C3's were available. In 1976MY (I don't know about 77MY ....I don't 'think' they were available any longer ...at least on price lists ....but that does not necessarily mean a buyer might not have been able to specify....who knows ? I refering to the 15" versions) :

If the optional 7 & 8 x 15 fuchs were ordered , they came fitted with 185/70-15 front & 216/60-15 rear tires ( I do not know what brand ...anyone? ).

The 205/50-15 front & 225/50-15 rear (P7) tires were a an additional separate option. When this 50 series tire option was ordered , a differant speedo was fitted to the car. It was spec.'ed to match the lower profile tires.

C3 were available in both MY76 and MY77 in most markets, but not in the US, they were replaced in all markets for MY78 by the SC

On the I series models there were 2 different 7 & 8 x15 Fuchs options, 1 did come w/ 185/70 & 215/60 tires, the 2nd w/ 205/50 & 225/50 Pirelli P7, this second option was on my C3

Stock '76 C3 wheel was the pressure cast ATE wheel 6 & 7 x15 w/ 185/70 & 215/60 tires, the other wheel option besides the 2 7 & 8 x15 options was the 6 & 7 x15 Fuchs w/ 185/70 & 215/60 as used on the '73 Carrera RS

all the '76/77 C3's have the same electric 300kph speedometers, I'm sure that the used different internal calibration for the different tires, the shop manuals call them 'adapted speedometer'

for the '77 J series C3s the wheel and tire options were 7 & 8 x15 Fuchs w/185/70 & 215/60 tires or 6 & 7 x16 w/ 205/55 & 225/50 tires. Stock was 6 & 7 x15(I assume ATEs) w/ 185/70 & 215/60 tires

[oliver07r]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

all the '76/77 C3's have the same electric 300kph speedometers, I'm sure that the used different internal calibration for the different tires, the shop manuals call them 'adapted speedometer'

Hi Bill,
MY 77 C3's have the electric 250 KPH speedometer

[RatBox]

B.V. ,

For clarfication , in 1976MY , there were only two options available to recieve the 7 & 8 x 15 fuchs . Both came with the 70 front & 60 Rear series tires.

m493 / Platin-dunkel (anodized petals)

&

m401 / Schwarz (black)


The 50 series tire option was for the tires ONLY . And the accompanying Speedo has it's own part number. If you have your original , look at the number up in the face edge at the top. If a 76MY C3 , came with the 50 series tire option (m395). It will have speedo :

930 641 501 00 , the accompanying notation in DE PET is 'KM/H 300 für Reifen / 50' .

The standard speedo for 70 & 60 series tires is 930 641 532 00 , the accompanying notation in DE PET is 'KM/H 300 für Reifen / 60' .

And you might have been able to special order them....but in the DE market price list dated sept 1 , 1975 . There is no option listed for 6" & 7" fuch wheels (leichtmetalfelgen geschmiedet is the factory term) for a C3. Or are they listed as available on the price list for any of the 3 models.

The only other wheel option listed is m400 , which is : '4 leightmetalfelgen 6jx15, geschmiedet , mit Reifen 185/70VR15'. This is noted for 911 only.

So I do not know what to say.. You would think they would be available , but they are not listed. My take is that the factory probably figured that most people , if ordering up from cookie cutters , would want the wider wheel. That way , wider tires could be used at a later date.


This info as noted is from the DE language price list , so this is applicable to at least the DE home market. If not most ROW markets (UK countries , seem to be the normally the most differant Market).

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by RatBox

B.V. ,

For clarfication , in 1976MY , there were only two options available to recieve the 7 & 8 x 15 fuchs . Both came with the 70 front & 60 Rear series tires.

m493 / Platin-dunkel (anodized petals)

&

m401 / Schwarz (black)


The 50 series tire option was for the tires ONLY . And the accompanying Speedo has it's own part number. If you have your original , look at the number up in the face edge at the top. If a 76MY C3 , came with the 50 series tire option (m395). It will have speedo :

930 641 501 00 , the accompanying notation in DE PET is 'KM/H 300 für Reifen / 50' .

The standard speedo for 70 & 60 series tires is 930 641 532 00 , the accompanying notation in DE PET is 'KM/H 300 für Reifen / 60' .

And you might have been able to special order them....but in the DE market price list dated sept 1 , 1975 . There is no option listed for 6" & 7" fuch wheels (leichtmetalfelgen geschmiedet is the factory term) for a C3. Or are they listed as available on the price list for any of the 3 models.

The only other wheel option listed is m400 , which is : '4 leightmetalfelgen 6jx15, geschmiedet , mit Reifen 185/70VR15'. This is noted for 911 only.

So I do not know what to say.. You would think they would be available , but they are not listed. My take is that the factory probably figured that most people , if ordering up from cookie cutters , would want the wider wheel. That way , wider tires could be used at a later date.


This info as noted is from the DE language price list , so this is applicable to at least the DE home market. If not most ROW markets (UK countries , seem to be the normally the most differant Market).

Don't know where you are getting you wheel info but you are wrong this info is all in the owners manuals and all the shop manual as well

here's pg 62 of my owners manual


I'll check the speedo when I get time, but the difference is in the internal calibration, any N. Hollywood can change the it if you want

here's p19 w/ the gauge info