To back-date, or not to back-date....?

[jittsl]

Although I am myself in the middle of a backdate project, my shop is also restoring a 75 S back to original and it really has grown on me. There is something special about the mix of narrow body and short hood. I do not think you will regret leaving it alone.

[dzik]

Originally Posted by tips

anyone who says impact bumpers look bad must get the taste section of his brain checked

just look at this

Totally agree. Since I got my Carrera, I have found that impact bumpers have a certain type of charm to them. I plan on leaving mine as is

[PcarPhil]

Originally Posted by RocketWrench

Right, message received: No backdate....

The wedding is off.... It was an emotional rather than pragmatic idea...

So..... the jobs now are select the bumpers (thanks Kaefer), change the windscreen for one with integral antenna, get ALL of the mechanics sorted - it's running very good, but could be better - and then new interior tidy following the respray...

No doubt I have skipped a few hundred other things that need doing.

A few questions if anyone can answer them (in no particular order):

1. Apart from the bumpers, what else made this US spec?

2. The vinyl seats are in near perfect condition, but they sure do get sticky on a hot day: Are there leather covers in tan available, or do I need new seats?

3. What period speakers would work better than those ghastly bricks on the rear shelf?

4. Iv been tempted, but never had the courage to open the sun-roof: Does anyone know if these ever get stuck open?

5. The AC does not work, it blows air though and is original. Is is salvageable or a waste of space?

6. What else am I missing?

If you end up using a windshield with built in antenna make sure you get the antenna amplifier too (although I'm not really sure how effective they are). These are available used and are pretty inexpensive.

2. Yes leather covers are available. You'll have to do some research to find the sources.

4. Yes they can get stuck open however I strongly suggest you start using it and make sure it's in proper working order. If it's not then get it working properly. A working sunroof is very nice to have!

5. I would delete the entire A/C system. Add lightness! Use the sunroof!

6. I would consider getting a set of (4) 7x15 Fuchs wheels, (4) 7x16 Fuchs, (4) 7x17 aftermarket Fuchs, or even (4) 8x17 et 30 offset aftermarket Fuchs wheels. Some negative camber may be needed for proper fitment.

[RocketWrench]

Originally Posted by tips

anyone who says impact bumpers look bad must get the taste section of his brain checked

just look at this

That one is beautiful, but I don't think it works with my green and chrome finish....

[t6dpilot]

Do not backdate that car. The value of that car is in its original, rarely found condition. I too am a fan of the Midyear cars in their original configuration. Not many left that haven't been cut up or rusted to oblivion. Do not cut or weld and only make bolt on changes. Keep all of the original parts that you removed too.

I am glad you put the original seats back in. Those others looked out of place. Personally, I like the original steering wheel better than the Prototipo and would change out the white shift knob for an original style black one. Love the radio too. The car looks great the way it is - do not change a thing and drive the piss out of it.

[RocketWrench]

Originally Posted by t6dpilot

Do not backdate that car. The value of that car is in its original, rarely found condition. I too am a fan of the Midyear cars in their original configuration. Not many left that haven't been cut up or rusted to oblivion. Do not cut or weld and only make bolt on changes. Keep all of the original parts that you removed too.

I am glad you put the original seats back in. Those others looked out of place. Personally, I like the original steering wheel better than the Prototipo and would change out the white shift knob for an original style black one. Love the radio too. The car looks great the way it is - do not change a thing and drive the piss out of it.

Thanks, I will: I'm probably doing a long weekend along the west coast of Ireland in a couple of weeks, if I get time.

Fear not, there will be no cutting and it will be bolt-on bumpers as suggested by Kaefer. The original wheel was also falling apart and was too far away, but it is returnable so no permanent insult to the car has been inflicted. Same with the gear knob, and in the pictures it looks white, but in fact it is off-white/ivory and is not so harsh on the eys as the pictures suggest. Anyway, its a bolt-on so no harm there either.

[axvel]

What he said

Originally Posted by Flojo

before you anything, adress to the engine!
- 11 blade rotor
- hydraulic chain tensioners
- turbo valve covers
- refurbish the ignition
- refurbish fuel lines and maybe intake

then take care of the driveway... tie rods, bushings, alignment

THEN! and only THEN, start "optical tuning"

p.s. the black seats are nasty. sorry, but its just true!
get some early sheel or recaro. not that 90th crap.

p.p.s. a backdating of your chrome model is imho a beatyful idea I'd think about intensivley too.

p.p.p.s. the rear speakers are HORRIBLE. junk that stuff!

[RocketWrench]

Thanks for all the advice and commentary over the last few months....

I'll be offline for a while as will be in Afghanistan until Nov... In the background you can see the other 1970s vehicle that I have to worry about....

[RocketWrench]

Here she is on a spring evening in Wiltshire.....

Now that spring is here, it is time to get on with things.

Firstly, I had mice visit during the winter and they nibbled on some peanuts in the car. I set traps and killed three, but thought deterrent was better than capital punishment, so got googling. The solution is suprisingly easy: Put some Bounce tumble dryer sheets in the car, they hate the smell and the car smells lovely afterwards! So far no repeat visit.

So first things first is that I have set a date for the complete refresh: In August I have a lot of leave, so the car will be stripped, resprayed and reupholstered.

[RocketWrench]

Interior:

The air conditioner has to go. In California I am sure this was a necessity, in Cambridgeshire less so...So luckily I have bought these from Prez! and will strip out the A/C next week with any luck and streamline my interior...:


(If anyone is interested in the A/C, PM me please. It works (as in it blows air) but it needs re-gassing. The missing vent is present and will come with the system.)


Then there are the seats: I listened to everyone and have stored the black Recaros away, but luckily bought these today for £300 from Kurt at Black Country Porsche:



As you can see they are terracotta red and will not match my tan interior, so I have two options, either to retrim completely or have them dyed: Have not decided yet, but I have time.

Next is sounds: The Becker radio is OK, but the sound quality is lousy - we must remember that it was only designed to play through a single speaker. So my options again are to:

1. Find a way to amplify it.
2. Have a separate modern but hidden system using the space vacated by the A/C and the head unit in the glove box.
3. Delete the radio altogether and stick with #2.

On the dashboard I was also hoping for a trim kit, but they all appear to be pre73 and after 83...? Anyone know better? I am aware that a backdate can be done but means the sacrifice of the side vents....?

[RocketWrench]

Exterior: At first I hated the impact bumpers, but I have grown fonder of them, and they do actually serve a purpose. I have already survived a helicopter crash (unlike some news anchors), a gunshot wound, hearing loss, 6 x Mine/IED strikes and made safe over 1000 explosive devices: Let's not temp fate and put my faith in fibreglass...

I therefore intend to pay homage (ie copy) what kiwiokie did on his SC Hotrod and recess them a bit deeper into the car.

Overdue intro and SC hotrod project

Overdue intro and SC hotrod project

Colour: This might draw some flack from the crowd - the Ice Green is the original colour, and I do like it, its just it does not really suit the leafy lanes of Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. So, after deep thought and consideration I am planning on going from this:



To this:




This is Uncle Enzo's car and the Oak Green metallic is a bit more 'English Gentleman', and on the rare sunny English days it really shines. On cloudy ones / low light, it looks like this:




Opine away, Pelicans!

[RocketWrench]

Back to the interior: As discussed I am contemplating retrimming the hardbacks I got at a bargain price, and if so thought a more squared-off edge might look a bit better, like this:



And whilst I am keeping the car completely reversible to stock, (old seats into storage) I was thinking of upholstering the hardback seats, replacement door cards and back deck with this stitch pattern:



It looks suitably mid-70's groovy....

Thoughts? Everything seems to be covered in diamond pattern stitch these days, and I am wondering if it is a passing fad....?

[RocketWrench]

A bit of an epic day today: I started to remove the air conditioner and this proved to be a lot more difficult than I thought...

Started at the back end and took out the Compressor and Condenser: The Condenser was easy, the compressor caused a lot of swearing.... The back end looks a lot better for it though:

[RocketWrench]

Lots of space now for air to circulate. I bought a hatch stay from a Yachting website, but one the condenser was gone the lid stayed open by itself....

[RocketWrench]

Removing the hoses and getting them free from the engine bay was also something that was assisted with tri-lingual swearing.... The screws holding the hoses in place inside the wheel-well were a bit corroded, but a squirt of WD sorted that out.

[RocketWrench]

Final task of the day, as I was losing the light: The smugglers hole....



The connections in this were grizzed-up super tight and no amount of swearing worked this time, so luckily I recruited my brother to assist. The problem was turning two spanners in opposite directions with so little travel available due to the torsion bar and front bulkhead. Once he held one in place, I could get a two-handed grip on the other and give it a good tug. Eventually it came loose....




A lovely discreet space to conceal an amplifier perhaps....? Any other suggestions?



Then once this little bugger was off, that was the whole of the right side cleared, hoses the lot:

[SpyderMike]

One way to fill the holes from all of the A/C hose clamps under the car, I found the screws in the lower right of this photo at Home Depot, took the washers off and installed them with the original clamp screws. They are galvanized washers with neoprene washers attached. A pack off 100 was less than $10.

[RocketWrench]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

One way to fill the holes from all of the A/C hose clamps under the car, I found the screws in the lower right of this photo at Home Depot, took the washers off and installed them with the original clamp screws. They are galvanized washers with neoprene washers attached. A pack off 100 was less than $10.

Thanks, I was thinking of a similar solution with rubber washers, but neoprene might do the same thing once Iv sprayed paint over them....

[BE911SC]

Saw this lovely '74 at the local cars & coffee yesterday. Perfect stance, not adorned with add-ons that detract from its as-built appeal. I came back to it several times and just looked it over.

[RocketWrench]

Originally Posted by BE911SC

Saw this lovely '74 at the local cars & coffee yesterday. Perfect stance, not adorned with add-ons that detract from its as-built appeal. I came back to it several times and just looked it over.

That certainly is a beautiful looking car.

My intentions are to not make any irreversible changes and keep or the original parts. I was considering replacing the impact bumpers, but I like them now and will recess then in the car a bit. Im conflicted about fog lamps though, as the square ones I think detract from the car and don't really do much for illumination anyway so they might get put in storage also.