Is it sac religious to modify a 912E

[sturmgewehr]

Ok I pose this question because it has been the main roadblock on the continuation of restoration. I purchased the 912 as my stepping stone from the vw world into the land of Porsche, due to having a 2.0L in my last square back. Only after purchase did I realize the rarity of the components I was missing . I understand 2099 built ,1yr only and so forth. I was also told mine came in supposedly the first year for Bitter chocolate and it is a rare color....but... I did not get the motor or trans nor the 4.5" fuchs or the "E" in 912e =the fuel injection setup. And from what I have seen a nicely preserved or restored 912E goes for less than an abused 911 (not that my intensions are to ever sell her) So what to do?? I just am in love with the 964 styling and would really rather update than just restore. I believe the narrow body would look great with the sleek bumper covers. A modern efi setup on a 2.0 with a 5spd & im happy. BUT I feel I will get stoned to death or something for attempting to modify such a low production car?? Anyone else customize a 912E??

[Jrboulder]

It really doesn't matter. It's your car and it will be unreasonably difficult and expensive for you to get it back to stock.

My 912E has carbs and crappy paint. I drive it all over the place and I expect to park it for good in about 10 years and 200k miles when it plainly wears out. To me it's a $5k car that I enjoy driving not some rare car that needs to be tucked away for the next person to enjoy.

Like these cars, you won't last forever. Enjoy it however you want.

[WFBowen]

As Jr mentioned, it's your car to do whatever you please with. And keep in mind that Porsche owners, as well as the factory itself, have been modifying and tweaking these cars since the early days in Austria. The 900 series Porsche lends itself to this with a virtually unlimited off-the-shelf supply of factory or aftermarket retro-fit, performance and racing parts that bolt-up to the car.
Bill.

[jittsl]

If your really concerned about the preservation of its originality then take the - only do things that can be reversed if someone (else) wants to do it later - approach. IE by all means do your 964 style bumpers (if the exist for a narrow body) but do it in such a way that, anytime you like, you could take them back off again and replace them with the originals. Or, as another example, if you can't find/afford the correct motor, by all means use something else, but do it in such a way that it doesn't preclude the install of the "correct" motor down the road.

Having said that, if you want an unsolicited opinion on matters of taste...... I'm a great fan of the simplify of the design of the mid year cars. Only bettered IMHO by the long nose cars. To me it wouldn't be sacreligious but it would be odd, uncool, unattractive (pick an adjective) to mess it up. The market seems to agree with me as well, unmolested mid year cars seem to be rapidly rising in value and (although the 912 will be the last to show it) you may be doing yourself a disservice financially to move it too far from originality. That's unless you are serious that it is a keeper, in which case do whatever you like and let the executor of your estate worry about it when the time comes. Above all, have fun and keep us informed on what you do.

[sturmgewehr]

"Like these cars, you won't last forever. Enjoy it however you want."
Well said sir. I am glad to hear some positive feedback, years ago when proposing the modification of my type 2 it prompted a 20 response rashing for just thinking of it & now air ride is almost standard on vw show vehicles . I of course will try to be as minimally invasive as possible and will retain all factory components in dry storage
Thanks guys for the positive responses I will post progress pics asap

[Jaems]

Except or the 912E emblem on the back, engine, transaxle gearing, and instruments, the rest is straight 911. Only the 924 used a mixture of VW and Porsche parts. The 914 was all VW except Porsche reworked the engine and transaxle.

The only hard part to find is the 912E emblem. The instruments can be restored. A lot of folks removed the fuel injection and replaced it with carburetors. So the 2.0L engine is just the 914 engine put into the 912E. The sheet metal for the engine is being reproduced.

As far as the color being rare, nope. I had a 74 911S Targa in the same color factory color. I personally hate the color; however, some on the forum love it. They called it Sepia Brown on the early cars until 74. From 74-80 it was called Bitter Chocolate or Chocolate Brown depending on were you lived. After 80 I do not remember see it.

There were three rims offered for the 912E. The standard steel slotted 5.5 ]x 15, and option were the ATS cast 6x15 "cookie cutters", and the forged 5.5x15 fuchs. The standard tire was a 185x70.

However, if you want to Renegade (customize) your 912E, there is a section over on the 912BBS. Most of the 912 Registry folks hang out there. They also have a section for the 912E folks. They should be able to help you find some of if not all of your parts.

[johnvan8]

It's your car, do as you please. Besides, it's not like you took a perfect 912e and hacked it up. Your car didn't come with much so it's as if you have a blank slate to start with. Don't take that 2099 number so seriously, there's nothing special about a 912e chassis, just that Porsche took 2099 911 chassis and called them 912e. Heck, if I had just a body and needed to buy everything, I might even consider putting in a Subaru motor!
(ducking now...)

[sturmgewehr]

"I might even consider putting in a Subaru motor!"
Lol not going to take it that far. Im thinking a 1883 or similar with the 911 style cooling fan/cover and a pair of 44's.but I just see so many improvements that can be made to taylor the car more to my taste (and budget). What is the logical choice for a trans ,5spd? Will the vw motor bolt direct to a Porsche trans or will a plate be required? or should I settle for a 912 4spd or 914 trans with flipped gear?

[johnvan8]

The 912 4spd (901 or is it 902?) is geared for a 912 motor (type 616) and I don't think would adapt well to the characteristics of a VW motor. You would have to change some gears (especially top gear I think). I would try to pursue the 5 speed 915 transmission if possible.

[75-911S]

You might want to check out this forum. These guys have about done it all.
912 Renegades

You can also ask the members of the 912E forum for an opinion at:
912E Help

Jack

[Bulldog9]

As others have said, the 912E is basically an entry level 911 Coupe with a modified 914 motor and different fuel injection system. It came with the same basic 5 speed transmission with different ratios and a smaller input shaft and bell housing, galvanized body (a real plus), and the basic 911 running gear. It was entry level though, had boge shocks (as opposed to bilstein) solid rotors front and back, thin antiroll bar in the front only. Plain Jane interior too. A few had sunroofs, and AC but I think the AC was dealer installed.

This is another site with some good introductory info. The Porsche 912E Experience

I'm in the middle of a restore of a 912E. Am keeping it close to stock, but making several upgrades, particularly to the brakes (911 vented all around) , suspension (rebel racing bushings, turbo tie rods), and engine (Dellorto Carbs, 96MM pistons taking to 2056, heads reworked and improved, and Raby inspired mods & upgrades). I will also make several changes to the interior, basically putting in an 86 interior/door pockets/console, as well as some custom gauge changes. I'll make a few exterior mods as well such as late 80's power mirrors, delete the big rubber bumpers,

Bottom line, Its your car do what you want. IMO the only sacrilege is abusing and or letting them rot.....or maybe ghetto/pimp my ride look. The 911 world is all about customizing and improving. even Porsche did it, so have at it! As others have said, the 912 Renegades have some amazing builds.

The 912E has increased in resale over the last 3 years and I imagine will continue to increase. Will it ever equal the same generation 911? time will tell.

[pors1968]

It a nice car to do whatever you want .

[Matt Monson]

912e was not galvanized. Made on leftover '75 chassis.

[Bulldog9]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

912e was not galvanized. Made on leftover '75 chassis.

Some of the early models #1-500 or so were built in 75, but the larger majority of the shells (including mine #770) were made in 76 with full galvanized bodies.

[Jrboulder]

912e was not galvanized. Made on leftover '75 chassis.

#2051 is certainly galvinized and it has a body number in sequence with very late 76 911s (1068424)

[Porsche Driver]

How is your restauration going?

I'm an owner of original 912E with injection, smogpump, full owner history, matching numbers etc. For me personally that was important but in the end it's about enjoying the car in the end. Some value originality, some value upgraded cars... In the end we all have the same passion, regardless how they look like.. porsche :-)

The difference in value of an original or non-original car is not important if you plan to enjoy it yourselves.. As you like it..

[BK911]

Originally Posted by Jaems

As far as the color being rare, nope. I had a 74 911S Targa in the same color factory color. I personally hate the color; however, some on the forum love it. They called it Sepia Brown on the early cars until 74. From 74-80 it was called Bitter Chocolate or Chocolate Brown depending on were you lived. After 80 I do not remember see it.

Sepia Brown and Bitter Chocolate were two different colors. Both IMHO are AWESOME!



Bitter Chocolate has a little more red in it, as shown on the SC on the left.

[andybullen]

I'm from the vw world as well, I know just what you mean about the level
of modification done these days.... I like that you want to preserve many of the
factory qualities of the car, I think you 'll be just fine modifying it to your taste.

It can all be reversed if you change your mind down the road. I'm doing something
similar with mine.... OEM+ as we like to call it.....

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.