[ossiblue]

With all the options you have already mentioned, I'll jump on this: "at this point am looking for value for investment more than pleasure. "

Trying to restore to original--remove flairs, replace front fenders and hood (they look to be short hood), rebuild engine, repaint to original color--will put you upsidedown in the blink of an eye and there is nothing especially unique about a 71T other than the contiued rise of all long hoods in general. The Karmann body is of no consequence, IMO, and the engine # is correct for the year but aside from getting verification from the factory there is no way to tell if it is original to the car.

That being said, and your original quote in mind, you could go with your last suggestion: "put in a 3 liter and 915 with SC trailing arms, axles , hubs, and calipers which I have available, and then build a RS or RSR replica." Then, again, you still would have to change out the front end to make it a true replica.

I have no idea about track car value, but as far as value of investment goes, that might be the best road to travel, given what you have to start with.