Matching numbers 1972 911E find in Virginia

[Das Mike.]

I picked up this 1972 911E a few months ago and I figured I would post some photos. The car has matching numbers, date matched wheels, 115k on the clock, and is well documented. I purchased it from the 3rd owner, who only owned it for a month, who had purchased it from his former neighbor. The second owner had owned it since 1980 and had kept meticulous records of all the service done throughout the years. It has supposedly sat in a garage since 2009. The last maintenance record I have is from 2005.

After doing some research, I found that someone related to the second owner attempted to get it back on the road in 2011.

1972 911 restoration, rustoration Virginia

Originally, I was on the lookout for a long hood roller as a home for my recently rebuilt 3.0L. Since this thing came along with matching numbers, I’m going to keep it original. Now the 3.0L is gone, so there is no turning back.

The day I went to go look at her and the day I brought her home.

[Das Mike.]

Obviously the paint is original and rough, but the only rusted hole I can find is in the driver side door sill. The floors are perfect as well as the front suspension pan. The only record of body work I have is when the rear shelf was replaced in 2004.






Original spare


After a healthy dose of WD-40 into the cylinders, the engine would only turn halfway by hand and I didn’t want to force it. I started to worry that the chain had skipped a tooth and the engine was out of time and I was going to have to replace bent valves. So the motor came out, valves covers and chain covers came off. Everything looked fine. It even had the chain tensioner guards. Although they look like they were installed too high up on the piston.



I noticed that cylinders 3 looked corroded and sounded a little crusty when turning the motor. I filled the cylinder with Marvel’s Mystery oil and then used a Shop Vac and small rubber hose to suck out all the crap. That did the trick and it turns freely now.

I did a leak down test and I can see there is still debris keeping the valves on cylinder 3 from closing all the way. I’m going to clean it out the best I can and hope it clears itself out when I attempt to start the car.

Here is how the car sits now. Couldn’t wait to get that bumper guard off. The 83 Targa next to it is where the 3.0L came from. If you need any SC parts, almost everything is for sale.





The only obvious thing I see it needs to at least run and drive is to have the inside of gas tank sealed. I’m probably going the POR15 route.

In 1981, the car had S pistons and cylinders installed along with a top end rebuild. It has stainless steel heat exchanges. Unfortunately one is a SSI and the other is some crap brand. I think the record says “Infinity.”

[Das Mike.]

All the documentation I got with the car. It’s odd, in the original owner’s manual, there are 2 pages with 2 different people’s names and addresses. Could it be owner/driver or the original sale fell through?

[Trackrash]

A 2.4 with S pistons, should be a sweet motor. Love the patina. Looks like a fun project. Good luck.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Congrats! Looks like an amazing project. I love seeing them with all of the doodads and baubles still intact. You could always run it with the 3.0 in it but keep the matching numbers engine on ice to retain the value of a matching numbers car. Thanks for sharing, and keep us up to date on the progress! -- Matt

[vintagecarlover]

Congrats mike...I wanna be the 5th owner when u get tired of it...I'm not holding my breath.lol

[Ayles]

Tell me about the cage in the targa? Is it available? How bad does it kill leg room? Usable for a larger guy (I'm 6' 4").

[weseeeee]

Congrats, that's a really nice find. Enjoy it!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Das Mike.

I noticed that cylinders 3 looked corroded and sounded a little crusty when turning the motor. I filled the cylinder with Marvel’s Mystery oil and then used a Shop Vac and small rubber hose to suck out all the crap. That did the trick and it turns freely now.

What a great idea.

If you are not going to open the engine. Why not put it on an engine stand, pull the sump plate and do that to all. Get as many cooties out as you can before firing. Just talking, though. That may free up crud that may not be able to escape.

[reachme]

I LOVE that blue! What a fun car. Get it going and drive the hell out of it

[Das Mike.]

Ayles, the roll bar is actually not bolted in. It's just a roll bar so there are no leg room issues. It's for sale, but shipping might be tough.

Bob, that a good idea. I've got a stand, just need to get my hands on an adapter.

[djpateman]

Can you give me a full shot of this DOT label please.

[Ayles]

Thanks, what is your price? I know a few on the board have shipped cages through greyhound.

You say it's not bolted in... Does it weld in, or is it not currently bolted in. I just worry about leg room with my height.

[pkabush]

Wow, looks like a really nice find. Did you find it local?

[Jdub]

Another one in good hands, plus you've got Lassie v. 2.0 to help!

WhattaChristmas you must be having! Keep us informed about your resto.!

[RSTarga]

With crud in the cylinder isn't it worth the time to pul the heads off?

[Das Mike.]

djpateman, sure.



Ayles, it's a bolt in roll bar. It's just not bolted in to that car. I would probable start at $400, but it's going to be expensive to ship it across the country.

RSTarga, yes, if I was smart I would probably do that.

[Ayles]

Thanks das mike! Probably makes it a bit too expensive to be worthwhile for now.

[Das Mike.]

I figured I’d post an update, as I got the car running about a year and a half ago and have put a few thousand miles on it.

I have not attempted to tune the MFI, but it seems to run fine as it. The speedometer grenaded itself a few months ago, but was fixed by Seattle Speedometer. There seems to be an intermittent vibration above 65mph that comes and goes. I thought it may be the rear bearings, which I replaced but issue is still there. My next guess is the axles are shot. This winter I plan on refreshing the suspension.

[da Vinci Dan]

Thanks for the update! I love posts like these.

Also, I love the crusty old paint look.