My first 911 build.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 05:25 PM

Hello all! New to the forum and the 911. I had a 944 a few years back, then last year I built a 951. Today I embark on a different breed of Porsche, the 911.

I own a small VW repair shop in northern Ohio. Primarily I work on air cooled buses. Split window and bay window. I love them and it's my passion, but like Ricky Bobby said "i wanna go fast" well so do I.. So here's where the 911 project begins

I made a 15 hour drive and picked up this 1980sc targa. The car is in very good condition. I was born in 1980 so its kind of cool this happens to be an 80 too. The problem is that its a targa. Long before I knew about targa bashing on this forum, I too find the car to not be all that cool. Its nice and all, but kinda seems like the "chic" version of the 911 lol. Sorry to all the targa lovers. Plus its just not what I envision when I think 911. So im gonna be a bastard and put this chic on a diet, maybe give her some hips and a proper top.

Look at how happy I am. At that point I had been up for 30 hours.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 05:29 PM

The interior was shot when I got it.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 05:31 PM

The engine was removed and completely disassembled. It does appear to be complete. Im going to be asking alot of questions when the engine building starts.

Ayles · 06-04-2015, 05:35 PM

Screw the targa bashers! Dont let them get in the way of you enjoying what you have. I am almost done with my 1982 targa build. Happy to pass on as much info as possible!

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 05:35 PM

Back at home. I have an extra bay that i was just using for overflow for VW parts. Having a new project was motivation to clean it and install better lighting. I also built a some shelves and work benches to help keep everything in order.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 05:39 PM

Started stripping it all down to bare bones. This is about where its at now.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

Screw the targa bashers! Dont let them get in the way of you enjoying what you have. I am almost done with my 1982 targa build. Happy to pass on as much info as possible!

Im build it into a coupe track car. Sorry man!

jdbunda · jdbunda's Garage

Is it me, or do you have some funny kind of gravity in Ohio? All the pictures are upside down!

Fie on the bashers of Targa! They are wonderful cars. They can be a little flexy, but the open top experience is fabulous. Personally, I think the answer is one of each.

On a serious note, though, the way these cars have been going up in value, I would hesitate to do something so drastic as to convert to a coupe. If you think you have to have one, I'd consider bringing this one back to life as a Targa and then trade it out.

If your objection to the targa is the chassis stiffness, seek out one of the Saratoga hardtops, which surprisingly transforms the car for those times when you want it.

But whatever you decide to do, congrats! Looks like a nice one to save.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 06:12 PM

Thank you. I spent a month thinking it all over. I had planned to just build the engine and clean everything and make it a driver. After closer inspection, its already under one respray from what i can tell. A fender was dented pretty badly and the driver door has some damage as well. Every piece of rubber needed replaced and so on and so fourth. I would probably have more in it make it original again then I would building it into what I want. Had the car not had body damage, strong original paint and better interior, I would of went for OG. Plus I like projects of this nature. Mid-ohio and nelsons ledges are very close to me. Im really wanting to get into that sort of racing. I've done alot of drag racing for fun as summit motorsports park is here in Norwalk. Im really wanting a streetable race 911.

Breckskier · 06-04-2015, 06:45 PM

Welcome! Are you the samba much?

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breckskier

Welcome! Are you the samba much?

Like the plague lol.

Breckskier · 06-04-2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busjunky

Like the plague lol.

Ha! Yeah, it's a fun group. Good luck on the 911

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdbunda

Is it me, or do you have some funny kind of gravity in Ohio? All the pictures are upside down!

Sorry about that. Some forums do not respond well to fruit phones. Ill try and upload from the pc. They do not appear upside down on my end.

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breckskier

Ha! Yeah, it's a fun group. Good luck on the 911

I was surprised to see 911 parts at ridiculous prices, just like a split window bus

Ayles · 06-04-2015, 07:39 PM

If you want a comprehensive spreadsheet of my build to date in an excel pivot table, I can send a copy your way. It has part numbers, sources and prices. I also have everything broken down by category. It might be helpful/scary

busjunky · 06-04-2015, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayles

If you want a comprehensive spreadsheet of my build to date in an excel pivot table, I can send a copy your way. It has part numbers, sources and prices. I also have everything broken down by category. It might be helpful/scary

My engine is a "box o parts" im scared, haha. Im able to identify a lot of the parts based on my vw knowledge. Other parts however, have got me confused. I plan to do the body work first. Usually i make my projects running/driving projects, but its a 911 not a rat rod. So bodywork is first on the agenda. Then ill move onto the engine work. I'll need some comprehensive materials for that. Something with detailed tolerances and through step by step breakdowns. A tangable babysitter so to speak. Other then that, im golden. My email is thinkcap216@yahoo.com if your kind enough to provide the material i'll put it to use.