73 911 conversion to RSR questions

[Strik3r]

Hello,
This is my first post on here so I'm sorry if this maybe in the wrong section or if there is a thread like this already. I will be taking over my Dad's '73 911 and restoring/modifying it. What I'm looking at doing is mostly body work/looks. Not going to change engine any. I'm looking at the 11" weld in rear flares and the 9" front flares full fenders from GT-racing and the correct bumpers to go along with it. I will be doing aftermarket wheels. I don't have the money to buy period correct wheels, so I found some wheels that are designed for Porsches that I like and have seen the same design on Porsches. I have no plans of racing the car just like the wide body look. If I go to 8' and 11" wheels and have to do spacers to correct the backspacing, is there any issues that I should be aware of in the suspension. IE. the axles wont handle the extra wheel size and will twist and snap... kinda thing. I know that I will probably de-value the car but there is so much sentimental value in the car that I have no plans of selling it. I intend to hand it down. It was a car I drove in HS and my Dad taught me how to work on cars by working on it. He was planning on doing the wide rear fenders but now that I'm taking it over I'm interested in doing the front as well. Thanks in advance for your advice.

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Strik3r

Hello,
This is my first post on here so I'm sorry if this maybe in the wrong section or if there is a thread like this already. I will be taking over my Dad's '73 911 and restoring/modifying it. What I'm looking at doing is mostly body work/looks. Not going to change engine any. I'm looking at the 11" weld in rear flares and the 9" front flares full fenders from GT-racing and the correct bumpers to go along with it. I will be doing aftermarket wheels. I don't have the money to buy period correct wheels, so I found some wheels that are designed for Porsches that I like and have seen the same design on Porsches. I have no plans of racing the car just like the wide body look. If I go to 8' and 11" wheels and have to do spacers to correct the backspacing, is there any issues that I should be aware of in the suspension. IE. the axles wont handle the extra wheel size and will twist and snap... kinda thing. I know that I will probably de-value the car but there is so much sentimental value in the car that I have no plans of selling it. I intend to hand it down. It was a car I drove in HS and my Dad taught me how to work on cars by working on it. He was planning on doing the wide rear fenders but now that I'm taking it over I'm interested in doing the front as well. Thanks in advance for your advice.

My advice is to restore the car to it's original state. There are plenty of less valuable cars out there you can hack up, only so many long hoods left. Making it a widebody will simply make it slower with that little 2.4 pushing more wind and wider tires, I think you should re-think this.. Just MO of course.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Welcome to the Pelican community Strik3r. You are in the correct section. Hopefully some Pelicans will come in and help you answer all your questions while you tackle your conversion. I wanted to share a fun thread with you that you might enjoy. It's our very own RSR Tribute build. You can check it out here: Finishing the Pelican Parts 911 RSR Tribute Project. Please be sure to post up your progress and make a build thread on here for people to follow. I'd definitely love to watch the transformation. And if you need anything while you work on it please be sure to check out our parts catalog and even tech articles. Enjoy your time here.

Parts - Porsche Parts and Accessories - OEM & Performance Porsche Parts at PelicanParts.com
Tech Articles - Porsche 911 (1965-1989) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts

[TRE Cup]

So you want to make the car look like this?



11" turbo steel flares butt welded

9" turbo steel flares butt welded
the correct turn signals, lenses, grills, bumpers and duck tail.

You can buy BZ " fuchs" wheels from our host in 9 and 11 x 15, get a set of Michelin TB course treaded tires.

Post a few pics of what dad's car looks like now

[Strik3r]

Hey,
Sorry about the delay but with Hurricane Matthew looming about it has been crazy at work.

GaryR- I may keep it stock. I respect and recognize the value of the car as is. I love the way the turbo/rsr looks. Either way, I'm a ways out from a final decision. My first priority is getting it running again. After, I sell my motorcycle I will have a better idea of what I want to do. Right now I'm trying to get ideas and do some planning so when it comes time I will have given ample thought about it and not making a rash or rushed decision.

Luccia- Thanks for the link. I will be checking it out.

TRE Cup- Yes I really like that look. This is my Dad's car as it sits now.

[TRE Cup]

That car looks really nice as is. I would have a hard time modifying it's looks unless everything was easily reverse capable at a later date

[GaryR]

Originally Posted by Strik3r

Hey,
Sorry about the delay but with Hurricane Matthew looming about it has been crazy at work.

GaryR- I may keep it stock. I respect and recognize the value of the car as is. I love the way the turbo/rsr looks. Either way, I'm a ways out from a final decision. My first priority is getting it running again. After, I sell my motorcycle I will have a better idea of what I want to do. Right now I'm trying to get ideas and do some planning so when it comes time I will have given ample thought about it and not making a rash or rushed decision.

I hope you do, she's beautiful just the way she sits IMHO. Once you start cutting/welding/modifying is a herculean task to put her back to original. Want to Hot Rod her up? Find a tired 3.0 SC motor, build it up to 250 HP or so, freshen up and possibly (slightly) stiffen up the suspension, and have the car Ferdinand would have built back in 73 if the technology was there.. Keep the stock motor all oiled up in the corner of the garage when it's time to sell..

oh, and put in Euro H4's and put the sugar scoops away..

[Strik3r]

Originally Posted by GaryR

oh, and put in Euro H4's and put the sugar scoops away..

Oh yes Gary. The H4s are a must. 😉

[75 911s]

Don't you dare add flares to this car. Thin for the win! Lower it, put H4's and maybe some tasteful graphics. Done. :-) Awesome car!

[gumba]

It's pretty valuable in it's stock form, not to mention the rare color. I'd restore it and sell it. Use the proceeds to find a donor car for the RSR project. You could start with a neglected long hood or a SC and backdate it.

[Trackrash]

Nice looking car. Show us a picture of the current motor.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the huge tires and wheels. The Carrera RS look is more to my taste. You might want to price the flairs, wheels, and tires before you make up your mind. Then you need new bumpers to match. Then you need to find someone with the skills to do the body work correctly. You might want to price a Porsche quality paint job while you are at it. Just say'n....

BTW. There have been a couple of threads on Pelican about this lately....You should do a search.

[fireguyfire]

Your car is a gem! My 2 cents of advice would be to leave it as is.

[RSBob]

It is only original once and that one is gorgeous. Please leave it as is, but there is a ton of work to do by refreshing the suspension, brakes, interior, exhaust, and if you have the Bucks after all that, rebuilding and/or modding the motor. You will be able to make the car an amazing performing sleeper that will give you a non-stop perma-grin.

[tdw28210]

As a current RSR builder - don't do it with this car. Way too nice. I started with an already-violated midyear with a toasted 2.7. This car looks to be beautiful. Find a hot 3.0 and put the stock motor on the shelf. Lower it, maybe get some wider wheels, buy a ducktail. Plenty more mods you can do w/o destroying the inherent value of this car. IMHO....

[dg567]

Looks good! What color is it!?

[Strik3r]

Originally Posted by dg567

Looks good! What color is it!?

It is Olive 414. From what I understand that color was available as a special option.

[RichardNew]

Way to nice to chop up.

You're going to spend at least $50,000 and your car will be worth less than it is now.


I try to limit my modifications to the suspension.

Richard Newton
Why is Insurance So Complicated?

[Arne2]

No surprise, but I agree with everyone else. Clean car in an unusual color with known history—anything I'd do to that car modification-wise would need to be bolt-on and easily reversible. That's a great car as is, I'd be thrilled to own it, drive it and preserve it.

[NickP]

If you are on a limited budget you will not be able to do a proper wide body conversion and you will end up with a half-assed RSR build that has many compromises. You will spend a bunch of your hard earned money and diminish the value of that beautiful car in so doing. My advise it to reaseach narrow bodied hot rods and move in that direction. H4's, side scripts, suspension tweaks, fiberglass bucket seats, an old period steering wheel...you get the idea. Easily reversible and you will end up with a very cool, unique car. That said, it's your car so do what you want but you asked....

[NickP]

Start to finish. I began with a rusty disassembled shell and after 3.5 years here's my widebody (ST) car ready for upholstery. I'm happy to discuss costs and process with you if you'd like, just PM me and we can exchange phone numbers.

Nick