1968 912 backyard find **PICS**

[SoCal911SC]

I stumbled across a '68 912 yesterday and it's definitely seen better days. A previous owner converted the front and rear bumper to an 80's SC look unfortunately and the original seats are missing.

Before making an offer, I was wondering if anyone had a rough idea of what the cost range might be to convert back to the original long hood and rear bumper. It'd need some body work, interior, seals, etc.


Thanks.

[SoyRacer]

Near impossible to figure an amount without images to analyze

Sounds like a worthwhile project to undertake though.

RR

[ossiblue]

Yes, pictures will certainly help. If the OG front fenders are missing, it will be expensive to source replacements and difficult to find good quality used. If the OG turn lights are missing, that, too, is an expensive replacement. All of this will depend on how the PO did the "conversion" and whether or not you will need extensive rust repair on the rest of the body.

We definitely need pictures to give you a good idea of the costs ahead, if you decide to proceed.

[seafeye]

ill guess high at the parts being $10k. That should cover all the bits n pieces. A seal kit now is running $1000 alone.
Seats. $1-$2k
Front fenders $1k-$2k
Bumpers $1-2k
Seals $1k
Bits n pieces $1-$2k
Then there wil be the rusted panels. $1-$2k

Then getting it painted. $5-$15k

[Puma]

Pictures would help. I'm going through this scenario as we speak. I really hunted for deals to convert my front end back to original and will probably spend $7,000 on body parts. It took me eight months to find a decent driver front fender. A major problem is that lots of sellers don't understand what they have. '68's have many one year only parts. Do you have the original turn signals? Because they're really expensive. I lucked out as mine were included and in great shape.

Don't forget about all the little clamps and such for mounting fenders. Horn grills, et cetera. All this stuff really adds up.

I personally love the '68. The details make this the coolest 900 series model there is. Short wheelbase cars are the best aesthetically. Talbot mirrors! R seats! Dogleg transmission! Vent wing windows! And lots more.

I paid $2,500 for my car in March 2016. I think I got a pretty rare deal. It wasn't about money for me or the seller. He wanted certainty that I was going to restore the car and drive it.

Enough about me. Show us the car.

[SoCal911SC]

[SoCal911SC]

[Puma]

As far as I can tell, that's a really good start. Guessing that's an early '68 due to split grill. You can sell the steering wheel easily and other incorrect parts (hood, bumpers, fenders) but these parts aren't that valuable yet. Windows are wrong. Obviously not original paint as evidenced by decklid latch bolts are covered with paint. Did you get a look at the paint code tag?

Did you inspect for rust? Suspension pan, floor, rockers ? If those areas look good you've found something.

If the Fuchs are real that's a bonus. I think the '68 looks best with 15x7 Fuchs.

Looks like the engine still has smog equipment, meaning that's probably the original engine. Does it run?

Per your message, my car was very rusty. This car looks much better than mine. I'd get $10,000 in twenty dollar bills and wave them in the sellers face. Have you driven or ridden in a 912? I know everyone is 911 crazy but I love the 912 engine. 616's are so much fun if you live in an area with lots of twisties.

[SoCal911SC]

Originally Posted by Puma

As far as I can tell, that's a really good start. Guessing that's an early '68 due to split grill. You can sell the steering wheel easily and other incorrect parts (hood, bumpers, fenders) but these parts aren't that valuable yet. Windows are wrong. Obviously not original paint as evidenced by decklid latch bolts are covered with paint. Did you get a look at the paint code tag?

Did you inspect for rust? Suspension pan, floor, rockers ? If those areas look good you've found something.

If the Fuchs are real that's a bonus. I think the '68 looks best with 15x7 Fuchs.

Looks like the engine still has smog equipment, meaning that's probably the original engine. Does it run?

Per your message, my car was very rusty. This car looks much better than mine. I'd get $10,000 in twenty dollar bills and wave them in the sellers face. Have you driven or ridden in a 912? I know everyone is 911 crazy but I love the 912 engine. 616's are so much fun if you live in an area with lots of twisties.

I'm going to look at it again today, and yes the paint code is for a burgandy red. Also, there was something going on with the rear fenders, looked like there was some bondo cracking going like a previous owner attempted to widen the rear fenders, because they don't have the same lines as a narrow body.

[Puma]

I totally missed the rear fenders. That's a bummer because they're outrageously expensive and it's rare to see them for sale used. Offer the guy $8,000 and see if he takes it.

[Puma]

Here's a burgundy red '68 with 15x7's. Currently owned by the bassist for Coldplay. But more importantly, this was Grady Clay's car. If you're new to Pelican, Grady was the most knowledgeable and helpful person to grace the community.

[ossiblue]

Yep, the rear quarters will need to be addressed and that will be costly, if you can find the sheet metal. Complete front end and window frames need replacement. Finding 68--one year only--frames may be difficult as they are aluminum, not brass/chrome like earlier frames with the vent window. None of the above is outrageous, if the body is fairly rust-free, but needs to be considered in price negotiations and practicality of restoration back to long hood. Car looks very good, from your pics, but the true condition will take a very close inspection. At first glance, this seem to be a practical project, pending further information (as well as your proposed budget.)

[SCadaddle]

The 1968 912 engine in stock form wasn't the best of the bunch of the 912 engines due to the smog/air injection porting of the cylinder heads. Pretty much guaranteed if they are original to the engine then the heads are cracked at the spark plug boss. One of those "oops, that didn't work" moments in Porsche history.

[SoCal911SC]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

The 1968 912 engine in stock form wasn't the best of the bunch of the 912 engines due to the smog/air injection porting of the cylinder heads. Pretty much guaranteed if they are original to the engine then the heads are cracked at the spark plug boss. One of those "oops, that didn't work" moments in Porsche history.

Good to know. I ended up taking a pass on it. The owner's eyes were glazed over after I pointed out all the issues I saw and the rough costs associated with these early cars. Plus the floor boards were rusted out in a few spots with patches over them - just more than I'm looking to bite off.

Thanks everyone for all your input - very helpful!!!

[bbturbo]

I hope someone will get it and bring it back to its former beauty. Hate to see one waste away.

[Tony V]

Car appears to be a 1969 not 1968. Ventilation controls on the dash, non-opening vent windows, electrical panel on the drivers side of the engine compartment and engine mounting bar are '69. No smog pump in '69. Don't know what that is on top of the dog house. Maybe something to do with the electric fuel pump mounted on the engine support bar?

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Tony V

Car appears to be a 1969 not 1968. Ventilation controls on the dash, non-opening vent windows, electrical panel on the drivers side of the engine compartment and engine mounting bar are '69. No smog pump in '69. Don't know what that is on top of the dog house. Maybe something to do with the electric fuel pump mounted on the engine support bar?

I think you may be correct.

Though the window frames/vents could have easily been changed out, several other things you point out are from a '69. In addition, there are no heat vents in the inside rockers, and most important, the holes for the torsion bars look to be for a long wheelbase. SWB torsion holes are nearly butt up against the wheel well, whereas LWB are a couple of inches away, as they appear in the photo.

I would say, as you, that car is a '69.

[SCadaddle]

Yeah, I think you guys are correct about it being a '69 model. After owning one for 26 years you think I would have noticed the differences, most notably the rear engine support and the fixed vent wing window frames. The window frames could have been "updated" but why someone with a coupe would want to do that is beyond me. I would put up with the whistling wind noise of the vent windows over roasting in an oven any day!