Is this a 1970 OR 1976 Porsche 911S ??

[70or76]

Hey guys!

I believe I've come to the right place so I really hope some of the pros can help me out here!

We purchased this car many years ago (believed to be a 1970). The car had been sitting on a farm for many years and was not well taken care of. Just recently we've decided to make it a project to get it fully restored! Since we haven't even viewed the car in many years we had almost forgotten what it looked like! I started browsing and comparing it to the 1970 model, however I noticed that it looked quite different than it. The serial number matches to a 1970 but I understand this could have been swapped. The floor pan seems to be rusting/rotting through which made me wonder if it was a 1970 as I believe the 1976+ models were galvanized so I was a bit more confused due to that. As well I noticed pretty much everything is different on the car including the interior, front & rear, power windows (not sure if 70 model had them) which would make me to believe it is a 1976 model...

I would just like some help identifying if it is in fact a 1970 or a 1976 model or some ways of identifying it myself!

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks a lot.

[93nav]

Need to see the VIN number. Also, engine and transmission numbers would be good.

In the past, these cars have been 'updated' to look like newer models, and vice-a-versa, 'backdated' to look like older models.

VIN number could be in the drivers side door jam and in the front trunk. Engine number would be on a vertical web to the right of the fan/alternator. There are other places to look for numbers also...but these would be a start. Pics are always helpful.

Hopefully, somebody who actually knows what they are talking about will chime in.

[MikeD]

Also the build number from under the trim in the ash tray area. A '76 would have dash vents. But I don't think that steering wheel will fit an early steering column. May just be a complete mish mash!

[70or76]

Thanks for your quick reply!

Would a photo of the VIN show anything different? I've checked the VIN decoding site and it identified it as a 1970 Porsche 911S - 911 0 3 1 XXXX. As for the engine, it is not the original in it as it's been swapped a while ago. If it helps though I could still get a photo of the engine & transmission #. Thanks for your help!

[70or76]

Yeah I noticed most 1970 models (if not all) did not have dash vents. I had not seen that steering wheel on any 1970 model also which is why I had thought it was a '76 or so..

[David W]

I think there is a 99% chance it is a 76. A pic of the engine would help verify that. And as stated, VIN number is key. Under the hood on the left hand side (rear) of the metal by the gas tank is the vin number as well and it is stamped in.

Good luck!

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by 70or76

Yeah I noticed most 1970 models (if not all) did not have dash vents. I had not seen that steering wheel on any 1970 model also which is why I had thought it was a '76 or so..

There are no 70/71 parts visible in the interior, but it could be just one of those ill-advised "updates" 93nav is referring to. Lots of "interesting" things happened to our cars in the 80s, so this is just investigative archaeology.

Start with VIN stamping, a-pillar tag and aluminum tag in front (if still there). If you can shoot pics of the front inner corners of the front of the frunk, that will help show if there was later sheet metal grafted on for the impact bumper conversion.

I've seen more than a few of these cars with later doors - they just bolt on. In answer to your question, power windows were available in 70/71.

[MikeD]

You need to check the VIN by the gas tank, the one on the A pillar, the one on the door jam and the one under the dash to see if they are consistent. Other telltales... A '70 will have a flat door striker panel on the passenger side. 72 onward have a recess for the oil door release. We talked about side dash vents, they started in 74. I think the center vent started in 78. That steering wheel started in 74 and won't fit a pre 74 steering column. The transmission tunnel are is smaller on a 70 (911 gearbox) than a later 915 gearbox car. The seat mounting area is different. If it is a 70 there should be some adapter plates mounted to fit those later seats. The tank in a 70 is smaller and takes a full size spare, later cars only take a collapsible spare.

[MikeD]

70 would have had two batteries too.

See if the rear flares were added, they are 78 onward in general.

[blucille]

Gauges are from a pre 74

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by techweenie

There are no 70/71 parts visible in the interior, but it could be just one of those ill-advised "updates" 93nav is referring to. Lots of "interesting" things happened to our cars in the 80s, so this is just investigative archaeology.

Start with VIN stamping, a-pillar tag and aluminum tag in front (if still there). If you can shoot pics of the front inner corners of the front of the frunk, that will help show if there was later sheet metal grafted on for the impact bumper conversion.

I've seen more than a few of these cars with later doors - they just bolt on. In answer to your question, power windows were available in 70/71.

70/71 column switch, some gauges, dash knob, ignition switch escutcheon.

[Uncle Enzo]

Did a 76 have those pop out front windows as an option?

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by MikeD

70/71 column switch, some gauges, dash knob, ignition switch escutcheon.

Good eye. Reinforces the idea of an "update."

[70or76]

Hi guys - thanks a lot for all your help!!

I have just checked and found the serial number in the "frunk" and it is stamped in as the same # as on the badge bolted in. I just checked the engine too and found this number: 6195915. Is this a 69' 911T engine?

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by 70or76

Hi guys - thanks a lot for all your help!!

I have just checked and found the serial number in the "frunk" and it is stamped in as the same # as on the badge bolted in. I just checked the engine too and found this number: 6195915. Is this a 69' 911T engine?

Yes, 69 T engine.

[javadog]

Center dash vents started in 1977. There are parts on that car from the '80's.

Definitely going to be a hodge podge of parts from different eras.

JR

[70or76]

Originally Posted by MikeD

You need to check the VIN by the gas tank, the one on the A pillar, the one on the door jam and the one under the dash to see if they are consistent. Other telltales... A '70 will have a flat door striker panel on the passenger side. 72 onward have a recess for the oil door release. We talked about side dash vents, they started in 74. I think the center vent started in 78. That steering wheel started in 74 and won't fit a pre 74 steering column. The transmission tunnel are is smaller on a 70 (911 gearbox) than a later 915 gearbox car. The seat mounting area is different. If it is a 70 there should be some adapter plates mounted to fit those later seats. The tank in a 70 is smaller and takes a full size spare, later cars only take a collapsible spare.

Where is the VIN by the gas tank? In the "frunk"? If so, that matches the one stamped into the body also in the "frunk". As for under the dash and on the door jam I could not find any. The steering wheel in it right now is currently flimsy and always has been, it's never been a solid fit. I checked and in the "frunk" has two spots for the batteries (right and left).

[Arne2]

Sounding more and more like an updated '70.

[Jack Stands]

Looks like you have a FrankenPorsche with parts from different years put together. However, this does not necessarily be a bad thing as long as you keep track of what is from where. Lots of folks used to 'update' their cars to look like later models, though now the trend us to 'backdate' to the early longhood look.

If you enjoy it, that's the most important thing.

[HarryD]

Is that a factory targa hard top?