Project or pig. 71 Soft Window

I may be nuts, but I couldn't resist. 71 soft window roller. A little rust, but doesn't look terminal. From what I can tell, some of the soft window hardware is still there. Picking it up next weekend.

[82SC]

if you don't want to undertake the resto of the soft rear window let me know...I am looking for parts, pictures, etc...

[Oldporsche]

I understand that the soft-window was offered as late as '72 in Germany.

This thing could be quite a car. Of course check for rust.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[Chuck Moreland]

Looks like a handful. But a 71 softy is an unusual car, one I'd like to have. Could be well worth the effort.

After reading in the archives that very few were built in 71, I couldn't resist grabbing it. Still a lot of unknowns. It appears though, as a car that needs to be restored - at least in some incarnation. It had a sporto in it, but don't know that I'd go that direction. First order of business is to get it cleaned out and neutralize/stop the rust monkeys. At that point, I'll post more pictures and get opinions from you guys if it's worth diving in to.

Here are a couple more-

[Bobboloo]

Yeah your nuts alright.

Great find. Looks like someone left the barn door open and three of them got out. Kind of a new twist on the found in a barn story.

I'd keep the Sporto though, makes it all the more charming. 71' Soft window w' Sporto. Probably all of two were made.

If for some reason you change your mind on fixing this one let me know because I'm stark raving mad.

[70flatsix]

Mark
As the owner of a "soft window" targa, I for one appreciate your having the fortitude to take on the project of saving the car. Your 911 is only the second 1971 I've seen equipped with the soft/foldable rear window option. My 911 is fairly original. If I can help with pictures, measurements, info, etc, don't hesitate to ask! Good luck with the project!!
Rock

[BradH]

Very cool, Mark! I'd love to come by and see it once you get it home. Where in the metromess did you find it?

Brad
'83 SC Coupe

[Jdub]

Mark

I would stick with the Sporto. and all original specs, including paint, engine, etc. I really believe you have a gem there that ought to be brought back to the original factory spec.

John

[RickM]

Interesting project....can''t wait to see pics of the progress. Get an engine with the deal?

Oooops, I see you say it's a roller. Nevermind.

[Eric Mckenna]

Mark,
It looks like he has them allover the place out there!! whats he stoey .. how many did he have .. I see a white one, a red coupe... is he selling all of them?

Eric

[jpnovak]

Incredible find! Hopefully that rust on the pass floor is not structural. Is there any rot through the rockers/longitudinals/sills? What about rear torsion area? If not that will be a good solid car to restore. If so, still worth restoring, but will be more work.

The two top hoops are there, what about the handles?

Again, great find!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Jamie

Guys,
The deal got even sweeter today. It turns out that he has the original sporto tranny that came in the car - and is throwing it in the deal. Not only that....He is delivering the car to my house tomorrow(2 hour drive) for the cost of a tank of gas!!!! He is a heck of a guy. He is located in Granbury TX, and is buying parts cars for investment potential. That's what the other rollers are about. He just saw this car as a project that he couldn't get to.
With the tranny coming, now I think it may be more important to put it back the way it came. Anybody got a complete "71 T engine Laying around????

[atlporsche]

it's a pro resto project then. an original sporto-targa from 71?? yeek...just an original sporto is rare enough right?

wow...good find...

btw...I was going to say it's definitely a project. some porsches are just bigger projects than others.

sjd

[Bobboloo]

There should be plenty of 71' 2.2's to choose from. They're not a motor that is usually worth rebuilding due to the cost invested vs. the end product. You should be able to pick one up cheap. Better yet maybe find a healthy one from someone doing a 3.0 or 3.2 transplant. You've got plenty of time to find one since it will take at atleast two years to bring this one back.

[billwagnon]

Jack Olsen would be tracking that puppy by, oh, next weekend?

[thamlin000]

That license plate is pretty damn old. Almost the Texas equivalent of a black plate California car.

[thamlin000]

Cool project.

A little more info. The car was optioned with still has parts of the parcel shelf/storage compartment (with the doors) in place of the back seats. I think I remember reading that this option was in a lot of the softies. It's in pieces now, so fingers crossed there is enough to pattern off of. The VIN is 9111111751 which shows as a 71 T Targa.

The part I'm most concerned about is the lack of a title. I know some states only need a BOS, but I think TX still requires a title for transfer. Does anyone have insight on this? By the rear license plate, it appears to have been last registered in '79.
Mark