1970 carerra with 930 turbo- should I buy this?

[Gideon911]

Hey guys, appreciate any thoughts in advance. I currently own an 88 3.2 that I drive just about every day. I love the car. It's a great daily, but a tad heavy and I'd love something quicker. I've been searching for an early 70's hot rod. I found out about a guy selling a rust free, straight early 70's 911 with a 3.3 930 turbo in it and no intercooler. 100k miles on the chassis and mileage unknown on motor but it's less than whats on the chassis according to the owner. The car was built by a long time porsche mechanic that has a great rep and built hundreds of 911s for the street and for racing. The car was put together in the late 80's/early 90s. This car is really well sorted..its been garage kept by the current owner for 25 years but not simply a garage queen (which is better than a car that has sat). If the car is truly rust free, no major damage, and overall in good condition, is this something you guys think would be reliable? Would you buy a car like this (if you are into hot rods)? what would you value a car like this( i'm looking for a range)? I'm worried about over paying and it's difficult to determine what a car like this is worth.

This is assuming a compression test is performed, and the car has good compression within 5% of each cylinder. No major engine issues. Just a couple small leaks.


I do not care about having a numbers matching car..I want a car that fires right up, and is super fun to drive for a long time. I've been mainly looking for a NA car but I came across this and it sparked my interest.

[scotricker]

Get it ! Sounds fun.

[spuggy]

I bought a car like this. Still own it.

A 3.3 turbo in a lightweight tub is a hooligan. They're really fun - when boost (eventually) hits on the stock boat anchor, it will melt your mind as the cowl gets in the way and the horizon snaps to you on a giant rubber band...

It will also probably be downright scary with the lightswitch powerband on skinny tires with stock brakes and suspension - especially without an LSD. Never get in boost unless all 5 of the round things are pointing dead ahead.

4 or 5 speed? A 915 clutch won't last long - to put in perspective, you'll probably get 10-15,000 out of one. It'll slip - but you'll never notice, because the gears will be so short... You probably will want a spare 915, ideally both built and a later model than the one the car came with. Because it'll probably be trashed when you take it out. Mine was.

Unfortunately, anything you do to make the powerband more progressive will add 100-150 HP (and the same in torque at very low RPM) - making it pretty foolhardy to ignore everything the factory selected with 150HP as a design parameter. And this can get spendy real fast. But for only 300HP, you can wing it with relatively minor upgrades.

I'd say buy it if the price/condition is right. Use 3.2 calipers/rotors up front and a suitable M/c and drive it. Upgrade the TBs when you get to it (21/30 works well for a street car, later sways are good, use a fairly aggressive/low street alignment) and buy the widest/stickiest rubber you can for your wheels/flares.

Sure it's a 3.3? 3.0s didn't have intercoolers. You can also squeeze an intercooler under a decklid - makes the motor a lot safer.

[Prsh356]

Any pics ?

[Matt Monson]

No such thing as a 1970 Carrera. Get the vin. Most likely built on a T, but if it’s an E or S it will be worth more even with an engine swap. What’s the asking price? Who is the well known builder?

[Gideon911]

Thank you guys for the replies. The car definitely sounds really fun. I'm sure the lightweight body with this turbo set up should be pretty nuts. I am sure it's a 3.3. The current owner is an older gentleman and was not able to tell me what brakes, shocks, etc the car had. I would imagine it has an LSD but not confirmed until I go see the car day after tomorrow. nI believe the car has whatever 4 speed trans came with the 3.3 930 turbo donor car had (owner just knows its a 4 speed). The guy says the car is really really fast lol.

It has forward date bumpers on it unfortunately..I prefer the long hood look..and it has a wale tail which looks good. I believe the builder wanted the car to look like a narrow body carerra..I guess..It is definitely unique.

I do have some pics, I can post later.

I've got have the vin number to the car but there are only 10 numbers. How do I check into this? I read something about decoding these old vins.

You are correct, it's not a Carerra. I'm not positive on the model. The current owner doesn't know. The asking price is 50k. The owner says he is really firm on his price. I was really hoping to get the car for closer to 40k but it is not looking that way. I know the car is straight, has no rust, and is a well built car for sure. The story on this car has been confirmed that it has been in southern Ca since the mid 80's, maybe longer.

[Matt Monson]

Post it. We can decode it. It’s not like anyone can find the owners from just the vin.

[Matt Monson]

10 is correct for a70. It predates world vin standards.

[NYNick]

$40K for a 72 with a 3.3 Turbo in it is not happening, unless it is Frankenporsched, poorly maintained and ugly.. Sounds like it could be, but pix are required for any better guesses as to value.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by NYNick

$40K for a 72 with a 3.3 Turbo in it is not happening, unless it is Frankenporsched, poorly maintained and ugly.. Sounds like it could be, but pix are required for any better guesses as to value.

But reputable builder...

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

But reputable builder...

Right, but too many unknowns at this point.

I have a similar forward dated car, but with an RS spec engine and documented build.
We need more info.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Right, but too many unknowns at this point.

I have a similar forward dated car, but with an RS spec engine and documented build.
We need more info.

I’m just being my clown self. He said that, but we don’t have an actual name. Who did it always matters.

[Gideon911]

here is the vin

9110120186

[Matt Monson]

1970 T Karmann chassis coupe.

[Gideon911]

Thanks for checking on that Matt. I was hoping it would be an s haha.

What do you guys think? I've seen early 70's 911 hot rods sell on BAT for high 30s to low 60s and can obviously go up. Generally speaking..Am I getting screwed at 50k assuming the car has no rust, no accidents, good paint, and likely just needs few bits here and there? I am not a guy paying any shop to work on my stuff..I replaced the t bars, shocks, all bushings, tie rods, etc..on my 3.2

I'm certainly no master porsche mechanic but I do not want to pay shop prices to fix things that I can do..with that said..I'm sure I cannot rebuild one of these engines without a ton of guidance.

[Gideon911]

Tony Gerace was the builder on this car..he personally owned the car for 15-20 years

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Gideon911

Tony Gerace was the builder on this car..he personally owned the car for 15-20 years

A steal at $50k. One of the best builders in SoCal. I know what car that is you won’t get it near to $40. I wonder if Marco knows it’s for sale. Tony died a couple years back. His son might want that car if he hears it’s available.

[Gideon911]

I've spoken with Marco, He is the one who confirmed it was his Dad's car. The car isn't publically for sale. If I sell the car it will definitely go to Marco. I think it would be cool for him to have it.

[Gideon911]

I even told Marco I have no emotional attachment as he might and I'd be happy to make a trade for another car if he wants. If he can get me a NA little hot rod it would be cool for me and cool for him to have his Dad's old car

[Matt Monson]

Well there you go.

That's the kind of car that would bring really good money on BaT. Nowhere near $50k.