'73 Porsche 911 S Restomod Build

chriskimmelshue · 02:26 PM

I recently acquired this beautiful Brumos modified 1973 911 S. I've spent countless hours online and offline researching what I want to do with this project. There are so many amazing and interesting builds here on Pelican and on other popular forums. I want my build to stand out a bit from the typical hot rod and backdate builds, though.

If I had to pick a series of 911s that interests me the most, I'd have to say the Clubsport of the '80s and the RS of the '90s are it. I'd like to imagine that Porsche offered a Clubsport style 911 back in the early 70s and my build is that imagining of it. My plan is to keep the electric sunroof, windows, carpet, and heat as creature comforts, but remove anything else that doesn't make it handle better or go faster. I'd also like to stick to around 100 bhp per liter.

In keeping with the Clubsport and RS theme, I'll upgrade the suspension, brakes, and uprate the motor accordingly. There are some upgraded parts on the car that I can reuse, but the majority of the current modifications aren't to my liking. My plan is to combine influences from the short wheelbase 911s all the way up to the 993 series with a some modern day influences thrown in for good measure.

Let's start with the car as I picked it up:

After discovering some pockets of rust here and there and some very rough paint spots I decided to bite the bullet and build this 911 right. Off to media blast:

dtakenname · 11-04-2013, 03:03 PM

Subscribed,

What a beautiful car to begin with,
Did it have flares on? the car looks very wide....

Many thanks for sharing your build.

chriskimmelshue · 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtakenname

Subscribed,

What a beautiful car to begin with,
Did it have flares on? the car looks very wide....

Many thanks for sharing your build.

Thank you. The only reason I went to the extreme I did was because the paint was in very poor condition and the suspension was rotten. I love the wide look and I plan to keep it.

Going to bare metal also gives me a chance to reinforce the chassis and close holes left behind by the A/C unit and other accessories I don't plan on keeping.

The car did have 11" and 9" flares grafted on at some point in its life. The weld job is mediocre at best. Media blasting revealed layers upon layers of bondo to hide what can only be described as an amateur weld job.

wayner · 11-04-2013, 03:20 PM

Subscribed!

Uncle · 11-04-2013, 03:25 PM

Wow,that weld is so nasty you would think I did it!

Good luck with it and I look forward to the build.

Unobtanium-inc · 11-04-2013, 06:04 PM

Going from the first photo to the 2nd made my stomach turn. NOT because of the fact that you're doing the resto right, but because we have seen so many cars over the years that go from decent driver, to stripped shell, and don't make it much further. Then they call us and lose a crapload of money selling it. It's a worthy project, I can't wait to see what it looks like when you get it back together! - Matt

chriskimmelshue · 11-05-2013, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unobtanium-inc

Going from the first photo to the 2nd made my stomach turn. NOT because of the fact that you're doing the resto right, but because we have seen so many cars over the years that go from decent driver, to stripped shell, and don't make it much further. Then they call us and lose a crapload of money selling it. It's a worthy project, I can't wait to see what it looks like when you get it back together! - Matt

Not to worry. The shell is currently receiving lots of attention and a full metal rehab. The plan is to fill unnecessary holes, fix panel gaps, and repair these shoddy flares.

I have shelves full of parts ready to go back on the car. The motor and transmission are currently with Henry at SuperTec Performance as well. There's no turning back now.

uptheorg · 11-05-2013, 12:47 PM

subscribed!

chriskimmelshue · 11-05-2013, 02:18 PM

Here are some more "before" shots. The motor would turn over, but would not start. There were too many rotten ignition wires and fuel lines to bother with a diagnosis. The motor simply had to come out for a full workup.

chriskimmelshue · 11-05-2013, 02:39 PM

Some "deconstruction" photos:

David in VA · 11-06-2013, 04:47 AM

Chris, great project. Good t see you come over to the P-car world. Hopefully see the project at VIR next year?

David

weseeeee · weseeeee's Garage

Great project, can't wait to see it progress.

chriskimmelshue · 11-06-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David in VA

Chris, great project. Good t see you come over to the P-car world. Hopefully see the project at VIR next year?

David

Hopefully.

chriskimmelshue · 11-06-2013, 02:21 PM

Okay, back to the photos ...

At the media blast facility:

Parts:

Hrm, not looking good. I wonder what the other side looks like?

Ah, geez. Not good.

Well, at least the front wings and flares are good, right?

So much lead! 15 pounds worth. The other side had layers of bondo hiding that horrible seam.

chriskimmelshue · 02:25 PM

Off to the metal shop for some rehab then.

First, let's remove that horrible quarter and get it back up to spec:

I was able to source a new old stock 930 part # quarter:

Then, let's source some proper 930 stock wings with stamped flares this time:

Thank you to this donor:

Let's blast them to reveal any surprises:

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

Very exciting! Looking forward to this build.

Are you staying period correct for things like paint color, seat selection, steering wheel, etc.? Tell us more specifics on your motor config thoughts.

chriskimmelshue · 11-06-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Very exciting! Looking forward to this build.

Are you staying period correct for things like paint color, seat selection, steering wheel, etc.? Tell us more specifics on your motor config thoughts.

Absolutely. I've already picked out a very special order '70/'71 color. The seats are being made up as I type this at GTS Classics. I purchased the Prototipo from our host. Motor details to be revealed later on, but it will remain a 3 liter RSR based build since the crank, pistons, and cylinders are RSR part #s.

Eric Hahl · Eric Hahl's Garage

That quarter looks like its from a G-50 car. Not a big deal, just the torsion hole is different from the 915 cars.

chriskimmelshue · 11-06-2013, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

That quarter looks like its from a G-50 car. Not a big deal, just the torsion hole is different from the 915 cars.

Correct and it will be corrected. Beggars can't be choosers. Real 930 quarters are next to impossible to find.

Eric Hahl · Eric Hahl's Garage

Can't wait to see the progress. Keep us updated.