Hello Pelicans,
After a long time thinking about doing this, and a short but intense time researching once I'd decided to do it, about a month ago I bought myself a project 911. The car's a Euro 1970T targa (VIN 9110111361). It's got its original 2.2 engine and 911 5-speed trans.
This car has been to hell and back. It was converted into a quasi-RS style, with fiberglass front bumper and whaletail (the latter was swapped out for the sale). It started its life as a 'Tangerine' car, apparently went through a red period (few vestiges hidden away), and then was painted the dark burgundy/purple you see here. It has been sitting outside untouched and unloved for a number of years.
My first interest in this project was rebuilding an engine (having now read Wayne's book cover-to-cover about 3 times), and this will definitely need that. I was kind of hoping to find a car that didn't need extensive body work. It was advertised as having 'minor rust, nothing serious', and I tell you, I really thought I looked it over pretty well. I knew there was some. But many of you can probably relate to the difficulty of knowing what you've got until you start taking it apart. So for the past week let's just say I've spent more time in the 'Paint and Bodywork' forum than in the Engine Rebuilding one. I'm looking forward to learning to weld.
In short, I'm probably looking at a complete restoration. The one thing I'm still holding out hope of avoiding is tearing down the dash and pulling the whole wiring harness. We'll see. So, before getting on to some pictures, I wanted to say what an incredible resource these forums are. I will be doing most of this for the first time (in my spare time), but have been inspired and feel pretty well-prepared having read about the many amazing Pelicanite projects. Thanks. You'll be hearing more.
Last, this is a his and hers project, and my girlfriend and I have started a very non-technical blog for family and friends to follow our progress. There are more pictures and ramblings there:
http://mk911.blogspot.com
Finally, some pictures… The car, as it arrived
Did I mention that the engine had already been pulled and largely disassembled?
I don't think it had been running real well. I think (disassembly wasn't all that orderly) this was #4.
Interior is aged but mostly salvageable.
Just getting started
There have been plenty of surprises so far, and I'm sure I'll be asking for plenty of help and advice. Wish me luck,
Mike
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Michael Caterino
1970 911T targa