Buy or build a 70 - 73 911S?

[bboy]

I sold my SC a year ago for financial and targa reasons. But now realize I'm addicted and really need a 911 at any cost.

This time around I would like to buy and early S, but they are pretty pricey and rightful so.

Am I better off to buy a cheaper 911S and do the repairs needed OR should I buy an E or T and add an S motor? Are there other parts that need to be upgraded and how hard are they to find?

Appreciate your thoughts,
Brian

[bfranklin]

Depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a collectible car that is fun and functional, buy the best E or S you can afford. Restoration is expensive. If you're looking for a mega-fun machine that won't have any collectability, buy a T and modify the crap outta it a-la Jack Olsen.

Brad

[BK911]

Since you asked, here is my opinion!

I would advise against an S unless you want to use it as an investment. They aren't the best for street driving and are too valuable to tear up on the track. For the track, I would get a T and build up whatever spec engine you want. For the street, an E would be perfect and a T not so far behind. Either way I would buy the car in the best condition and most complete. Parts are easy to find but are expensive and add up quickly.

Good luck!
BK

[Early_S_Man]

Brian,

The question(s) you ask are too subjective for anyone else but you to answer! Yes, a '72 or '73 "T' can be built-up to a very nice level of performance in a project car ... as Jack Olsen and Jack McAllister have shown!

But whether to buy or build the 'project' is something only you can answer. Why don't you take a look at the following pages, and ask a few, somewhat less all-encompassing questions?
http://members.rennlist.com/jackolsen/Jalopy.html

http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=57
http://www.pelicanparts.com/MotorCity/hatari/finito.html

http://www.cheaterswayside.com/911/gallery.asp?sort=0&userid=162

Good luck!


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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa
1992 Dodge Dakota 5.2 4X4 parts hauler

[pwd72s]

I agree with all of the above. But you know, it's really all a choice thing, and desire. I happen to own an original early S...I was in the minority of knowing these were a "special car" back when I bought her..1974.
Wouldn't consider selling her. But if I ever won the lottery? Could afford, and had the space for two P cars? Damn, I'd love to have an early 911 HOT ROD! So, really..both roads are a pleasant journey. Most of us just have to choose. May your choice be a good one for you.

[This message has been edited by pwd72s (edited 10-18-2001).]

[Randy W]

If you really want an early S, that's what I would buy - the latest and best one you can afford. It seems kind of silly, I know, but one letter makes all the difference to many, and it might to you someday. If you decided to buy an E, I would consider a 2.4 as the best daily driver early 911. To make an E into an S would really defeat the beauty of this car. If an S isn't in the cards, I'd rather find a T that somebody has built into an RS replica with the great 2.7RS MFI engine - now that's an early 911 that's as great to own as any S in my mind.

Randy Wells

[Randy W]

Brian, I forgot to mention that for the conversion you would need an S tach as well as all the motor parts/mods (Pistons, heads, MFI stacks and space cam, engine shroud, etc). All the parts to make a T an S are available used and not terribly hard to find, but unless you do it yourself, the modifications and/or restoration will cost you as much as the difference in price between a similar T and S.

Make me an offer on my 72S. I'm getting ready to sell. It's similar to Randy W's as it has a 2.7RS motor. Mine has a factory warranty RS motor (911/83 type) with backdated stacks (magnesium). It's a daily driver, solid, great on the rust dept., needs paint is the main thing.

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Carlo
http://bigblue111c.tripod.com/dec2000/

[pjv911]

How much carlo ?

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69` RS carrera clone
2.7 CIS

[nostatic]

maybe something like this:

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/9/1/1194691.htm

[zotman72]

Now I have 72T with a 2.4S engine that I just recently built and installed this year. The MFI stacks came from Carlo too. The car has been transformed with the transplant. The engine is strong and fast. That said, now that the track season is over here in Colorado and the first snow has come (and gone), I am here wondering what next to do to my little track toy this winter. Despite this 50hp infusion of power to my car, I still can not challenge the newer 911s with their bigger/wider tires and better aerodynamics for competitive times. I'll be darned if I am going to hack up nice my narrow body 911 for fender flares to accomodate bigger meats. I guess should be happy with being the best of my class but I am not. It is not fair...

Bill
Car at the stock early 911 plateau and driver wants to get faster track times.

[marc weintraub]

I agree with Brad and quite a few of the other comments in this forum. Having owned quite a few early "E" and "S" cars, I have found them both to be very drivable and easy to drive in traffic. As much as the "S" likes to be wound out, it doesn't have to be to still enjoy the drive.

For those that say the "S" is not good for the street... I hate to disapoint you, but I have been driving an early car for over 15 years now and I have never had a problem. The analogy I use is that my 97 TurboS can do over 180mph, but I don't need to drive it that fast to enjoy the car. The "S" can fly if it is kept in the power band, but they still move at lower RPM's...

Get the best car you can find and have a blast. In stead of listening to us, go out and drive a few stock "T", "E", and "S" cars and judge for yourself. Everyones driving habits are different and you might take an instant liking to one over the other.

All The Best,

Marc

18K for the best of the early 911 experience.
Marc W knows what I'm about and a few others in the early 911, S-registry, R-gruppe type world. But I guess I should go take this to the classified section so I will stop here!


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Carlo
http://bigblue111c.tripod.com/dec2000/