Factory turbo bodied carrera 3.0? is this possible? with 3 pics

toyboy · 08-05-2002, 12:50 PM

Hi Everyone,
I came across this 77 C3.0 that was factory converted turbo body with '86 60K miles 3.2L powerplant. I am interested in knowing how can I tell the difference between factory turbo conversion and body shop conversion?, and yet again, the seller ask 15K for this 911, is this a reasonable amount to ask for this hybrid 911?. It has two rust spots, one on the driver side quarter panel next to the door and the other is a few bubles on the inner rocker of the passenger side. I am very interested in this 911 and would like to get a fair value for my money. Thank you for all your help. Andy

Leland Pate · 08-05-2002, 01:10 PM

I do not believe the factory produced turbo look cars until the eighties... .but I have been wrong in the past.

I would say, use a magnet around the flares to check for bondo... look under the wheel arches for evidence of buttwelding, and or lack of undercoating. Another key indicator would be whether or not the car is still wearing its original paint.

All suspicions aside, ... it looks nice!

Cerbin · 08-05-2002, 01:36 PM

Not sure of the value but be aware that a rust bubble is not a good sign. The rockers often develop condensation and rust from the inside out. So be weary and maybe ask for a grand or two off the price tag to have it fixed right.
Speaking from experiences rust is often way worse than it looks from the outside..

my couple of cents..

regards,
Patrick
1970 T/S Widebody

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

Looks like the decklid might not quite match- could be because someone added it whaen they added the turbo.

SK · 08-05-2002, 01:53 PM

Leland is correct. Factory wide bodies (non turbo) did not come out until '84. The factory wide bodies(non turbo) had the same brakes as the turbo (bigger than the carrera) and the turbo suspension. The brakes are easliy spotted, because they are much bigger. The pic shows a carrera tail on the car, not a turbo tail. (my .02.)

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

I remember seeing 2 wide body Carrera 3.0 targas when I was at the factory in '76. They were both white w Martini blue & red livery. I have no idea what the story was, but special wishes was doing all kinds of different things even then.

08-05-2002, 02:02 PM

I've heard of SC Turbo Looks, but still that car doesn't look original. Front end and rear spoiler are not Turbo Look items. As mentioned above a genuine Turbo Look has the turbo suspension and brakes (cross drilled so easy to identify).

cegerer · cegerer's Garage

Well, the parts were certainly available as early as 74 to do a conversion. It would not have been a regular production option, but a 'special wishes' conversion as Bill indicated. But without any documentation, it's anybody's guess. It would seem to me that if this were a genuine factory conversion, some type of documentation would have been maintained. But with the engine replacement, there may not be any collectible value left anyway. -- Curt

toyboy · 08-05-2002, 06:45 PM

Hi Noah,
The VIN is 911760XXXX. I've checked with the Porsche 911, Engine History and Development book by Tobias Aichele and it is indeed a carrera 3.0. Can you confirm this?. You mentioned the second grille. I did see a second grille on top of the posterior part of the tail that resembles something that you would see on an early turbo. It is really unfortunate that it comes without the original engine. I would probably pick it up for 3-4K less than the offered price for the lack of a.c, the worn interiors, and the rust works.

troy · 08-05-2002, 08:39 PM

Dude,
The dead give away is going to be the weld seam on the fenders. The factory weld seams on my '76 930, after I had the car stripped for re-paint, were almost imperceptible. I don't know how the factory did it, but the butt welds are so clean that there's not a trace of lead or bondo anywhere on the seam, just a slight discoloration where the weld was ground flush. A body shop flare job should be pretty evident from under the fender. If factory, you'll see the weld seam underneath, but it will be a very subdued, very symmetrical, almost invisible arc coated with the factory tannish plastic looking undercoat. Extremely Cool looking car if it's a C3 with a quality flare job. Beyond ultra cool car if it's a factory wide body C3. Finding the correct engine would be painful though

toyboy · 08-06-2002, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the offer Noah. I may not be interested in this Porsche for above 13K. I have been searching for the right Porsche for the past year or so and a few more months won't make a difference. If you know anyone who has an early 911 with a 3.0 or 3.2 engine and would like to sell it, please let me know. Best, Andrew