My love mid year, want some input

Eli W · 04-11-2014, 08:19 PM

I'm lovin this car, I took a nice drive today going nowhere special just cause and stopped for a photo of my ride.

I kind of lucked out, I bought this car sight unseen from a dealership in California they have some very nice cars that go through there and have a lot of cool cars on hand. Of course I did do a ppi with a reputable shop out there in Cali. The guy who sold the car was an old school German guy, no bs at all. He hated the duck tail, because it was not a Porsche part, I like the duck tail a lot.

The car is a hot rod and has a 3.2 L engine with twin plug electromotive timing on it that runs like a clock. There was some questions because the car initially had a lot of oil in cylinder 6 and that had me very worried. I think the car had been sitting for a long while before I got, well by the time I got it there was no oil or smoke on start up or rough idle, just a light car with a very fast motor. My mechanic checked it out and said the only thing the car lacks is brakes, because the motor is faster than the car.

The only thing I'm doing to it, is getting the ac working and cosmetic stuff.

I have euro bumpers for the rear, will those bolt right up?

I understand there will be holes where the third bolt was in the US bumper guards.

I have a euro bumper if needed.

The other thing I'm going to put on are chrome 74 side mirrors. I think I found the thread already how to put those on using a custom gasket.

I was going to put a 74 Carrera decal on the sides but, now I'm thinking of just putting Porsche lettering on the side.

It did have a warm start problem but a new fuel accumulator fixed that.

There is one major issue though with the car, and you may have it too. The motor makes this sound that makes you drive fast, it kind of roars and gets loud and it makes your right foot push the floor so you can make it louder.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Congratulations!

She looks good as she is but the Chrome side mirror will match the chrome window trim. Love that duck tail.

Jim

CountD · 04-11-2014, 09:23 PM

Keep the ducktail, looks sweet. Do not do the Carrera decal - no reason to fake anything. Porsche decal OK.

allaircooled · allaircooled's Garage

yeah I'm jealous. Mid years get a bad rap, but I really like them. I would definitely go with the chrome mirrors and keep that duck on it. Very nice.

O' yeah"74 · O' yeah"74's Garage

Very nice.

will hung · 04-12-2014, 06:07 AM

Nice '74. The mirrors can be replaced, and the car will look outstanding with chrome mirrors. But as you said, you'll need to widen the gap to cover the holes left in the door. If it's guards red, you might be able to find doors with the holes filled. Here are some links.

Want to replace my sideview mirrors

Want to replace my sideview mirrors

Eli W · 06:34 AM

Thanks all,

Count that is what I was thinking too, I'm not trying to do a tribute and I have no reason to it is a sweet example of a Porsche on its own. Porsche decal it is.

I think the stigma is pretty much going away with the mid years, especially if they have had their motors sorted. Really, it is the perfect car for me. I can finesse it and tailor it to my liking and I do not have to worry as much about it being stock and original.

These are truly amazing cars, at expressway speeds they feel planted and ride as good or better than a modern car, and mine is 37 years old.

Actually mine is a 1977 S, is that still consider mid year? I know it came with a 2.7 L that was saddled with some thermal reactors for smog reasons that were no bueno on the engine or performance.

SilberUrS6 · 04-12-2014, 06:34 AM

Congrats!

I think the problem with the mid-years was their string of motor problems. Because this car has a 3.2, all those mid-year motor problems just disappeared.

Skip the side decal, keep the duck. Car looks really good as-is, no need to do anything else to it, IMO.

bgyglfr · 04-12-2014, 07:06 AM

Nice Middie!

+1 on the side script. Not needed. You would have to consider taking off the side moulding to make the script look right too. I like it as is. The mirrors would be a nice touch to go with your bright work.

Eli W · 04-12-2014, 07:16 AM

Yeah Eric, the motor issue on the mid years is what has held them back.
But on the other hand, fix the motor issue and you have a light Porsche that has has the same German engineering behind it.

They are quickly becoming the last bargain in the classic Porsche world.

The lines and silhouettes of these cars defined auto design. What is cool is that they still translate. I love the look, and so does the hot young girl at the bank.

javadog · 04-12-2014, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli W

I have euro bumpers for the rear, will those bolt right up? I understand there will be holes where the third bolt was in the US bumper guards. I have a euro bumper if needed.

Yes, you have to weld some holes closed and drill new ones in a US bumper to fit the narrower rubber guards. Your best bet is just to repaint the Euro bumper and bolt that one on. Cheaper than welding the holes closed on yours, then repainting that one... The welding can't be done without also repainting the bumper.

JR

Eli W · 04-12-2014, 07:33 AM

Thanks JR, that is what I will do then.

See you around town, I'm planning on going to the PCA meeting some time soon at the wild fork. Hope to meet you there.

Patrick3000 · 04-12-2014, 07:34 AM

Love it, enjoy!

SilberUrS6 · 04-12-2014, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli W

Yeah Eric, the motor issue on the mid years is what has held them back.
But on the other hand, fix the motor issue and you have a light Porsche that has has the same German engineering behind it.

100% agree. And at this late date, almost all the cars that still run have had their motors fixed in one way or another. Mid-years are starting to climb the appreciation ladder. A couple of years ago, you could get a decent driver for $10k or so - I saw a few for less. Now, if it moves under its own power, it'll get $10k. I saw one the other day for $17.5k, and it wasn't pristine by any stretch.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Just make sure you maintain the ICV and lube the dizzy with 3-4 drop of oil under neath the felt pad as part of your oil change routine. Keep a spare non URO dme in the glove. Save for a 911Chip if it does not have one already :-)

RSD,

Jim

djdsc · 04-12-2014, 08:40 AM

Here is its twin, sort of.

'74 with 3.2, M&K 1 and 1. Now has painted H4 headlight rings, love the chrome and the rear pop-out windows, stock '74 Euro rear bumpers, front spoiler lip, Carrera brakes all around.

Love a Duck!!!

tdskip · tdskip's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdsc

Here is its twin, sort of.

'74 with 3.2, M&K 1 and 1. Now has painted H4 headlight rings, love the chrome and the rear pop-out windows, stock '74 Euro rear bumpers, front spoiler lip, Carrera brakes all around.

Love a Duck!!!

That is basically the non-crappy looking version of my '74 3.2 build. Nice!

Eli W · 02:16 PM

DJ did you add the mirrors or are they stock?
Actually I think by the placement they are stock.
And when you say Carrera brakes are you talking 84 to 88?

The bright work on both our cars reminds me of the 69 E I bought at a garage sale.

GT3DE · 04-12-2014, 02:23 PM

I like the original Fuchs on first car

djdsc · 04-12-2014, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli W

DJ did you add the mirrors or are they stock?
Actually I think by the placement they are stock.
And when you say Carrera brakes are you talking 84 to 88?

The bright work on both our cars reminds me of the 69 E I bought at a garage sale.

Yes the mirrors are stock and yes to the '84-'89 brakes. We figured with the 3.2 the brake upgrade made sense. As an after thought the stock rears would have been fine but we found a package, MC, calipers, rotors and pads all new. The '74 is such a great transition year, first of the impact bumpers but so much carried over from the longhood cars like the bright work and the opening qtr. windows.