SC to Widebody or not

[Hetmann]

The paint on my 78 SC has seen better days. Should I just repaint it or should I go for the turbo look I've always wanted?

[widebody911]

Unless your car is otherwise pristine and original, or there is some other factory, like it's the Al Holbert's daughter drove to the prom in, do it up the way you want. If you do a factory-looking widebody, without excessive bling, you'll have a perfectly viable car.

[JonT]

I say go for the turbo wide body and new paint. You'll need new wheels and tires to fill out the flares too.

[atlporsche]

SC's are wide enough...

sjd
'67 912...REALLY NARROW.

[Hockey fan]

Originally posted by Hetmann
go for the turbo look I've always wanted?

Seems like if you've always wanted that look it's time to go for it. As many others have said on the board - It's your car, it should make you happy.

My $.02,

Jeff

Doesn't matter what other people want. It's your car, make in to whatever you want it to be and then enjoy it.
JMO
Mark

[yelcab1]

I saw an SC with the wide-body look but only in the back, the front fenders remained stock. It made it look sinister and I kinda like it.

[Eric Coffey]

Sounds like a plan! Just make sure you know what you are getting into. The cost of doing a wide body conversion is higher than most people realize. A (good) re-spray alone will run $4K to $6k. Add on top of that the cost of flares, someone to weld them on (correctly), bumper extensions, extension seals/spacers, rockers, front rubber spoiler (or new bumper), undercoating, new wheels and/or wheel spacers, etc., etc. Also, don't expect to get your money's worth when/if it comes time to sell, but you already knew that. Good luck!

[widebody911]

If you decide to do it, I have a set of turbo bumpers and a turbo front valence & spoiler left over from when I went to fiberglass bumpers.

[Ove]

Seems like a better question would be:
How much is a widebody conversion?

I was asking the same question before I bought my 911. Like you I've always wanted the turbo look. I bought a car with the conversion already made after thinking through how much it would be.
You should consider selling your car and buying a turbo look.
A lot of people prefer the narrow body, so a widebody could in fact be less expensive. On the other hand, you know what you've got, and if it's running well and you're going to get a repaint anyway, the project is starting to make more sense economically speaking.

A word of warning regarding wheels and tires:
When you're looking for wider wheels at the rear, you may find some 10" or 11" x 15" with 285/40-15. Those tires are no longer available new, they went out of production several years ago.
The reason I know is that I have those on my car. Searched the entire web to find another pair and ended up buying the last 2
unused Yokohama AVS in the world (?) in that size (thanks "Beepbeep").
345s should fit with the right spacers, but they are also NLA I think.
Go for 10" x 16" or 17", and you should have no trouble finding tires.

[Jbabic]

I have had my 78 turbo look Targa for years, and still love it....wifes have come and gone though..

[rattlsnak]

this used to be a SC body,.... DO IT !!

[CalvinC4S]

in my opinion to make it look right, you will need to change the rear suspension to 930 as well. For some reason my eyes are drawn to the unusual wheel off set or huge spacers with the
rotor 12" back on the after market wide look.

I think there is a company out there that makes a welding jig for the anchors on the torsion bar, so you can use the 930 trailing arms.

[Doug E]

I love my SC but there is just something about a widebody.

If you've got the cash and time, go for it!

[marcesq]

Doug: you want a wide body ?? Just bring that thing over here and we'll see what can be done Now I have a good excuse to buy a welder.

[kristian85]

Please don't destroy another 911. It will also end up being a money pit, both to build and for resale, and slower to boot. Do what you must, though.

[Hetmann]

Thanks for the responses. Seems like we're similarly conflicted. I forgot to mention I also have a little rust to eradicate so I'm looking at body work either way.

Anyway, my car has never been about resale to me. She's a driver, my baby and I'm keeping her. I already have several parts including 930 front fenders, rockers, quarter extensions, and an early style whale tail.

I appreciate you thoughts and suggestions.

[RarlyL8]

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[jk911]

park your car next to a turbo body 911 stand back take a good look and there is your answer ?

[makaio]

It's your car, do what you like. That being said, I voted for turbo look.