Acquired A 911S

[SpenceRx]

Hi Everyone. I used to lurk on this forum but stopped visiting when prices got out of reach for me to get into an aircooled 911. On a whim I checked the local classified ads this week and happened upon a fresh ad for a 911S Coupe - 1977 Sahara Beige over Cork. This was my ideal color combination for a midyear and I acted quickly and having had a good year in business I had funds to deploy!

The car was previously owned by a dentist for 40+ years. He took very good care of the car and drove it often with no expense sparred. I have some good records showings lots of loving preventative and necessary maintenance including a top end rebuild with pressure fed tensioners installed. Regular oil changes are a trend throughout the records as well as milage from use. The car has not been sitting and is nearing 300,000 km's but shows really well.

The owners manual is stamped indicating the car was originally collected at the factory - December 22nd 1976. The stamp reads "CIRTIFICATE OF WARRANTY EXTENTION OVERSEAS TOURIST DELIVERY". What a trip that must have been!

Options Include:
Color Code 516 Sahara Beige
15 inch Fuchs
Air Conditioning
Power Windows
Power Sunroof


Recent Service:
Oil Change 6 weeks ago
New Brake Calipers Front Left and Right 2022
New Tires in 2023
New CV's and swap bar bushings 2020
Distributor

My car is sitting in my friend's garage in Edmonton, Alberta as he was kind enough to collect it for me. I need to get the car home to Vancouver, BC. This drive is 12 hrs (1,159.2 km) via Yellowhead Hwy E/AB-16. I am handy but have not wrenched on aircooled cars. Am I crazy for contemplating driving the car home through the mountains? If not, any suggestions for making this a smooth trip?

[Mike Czech]

That looks like a gem. I also have a '77, Sienna Metallic with 84,000 miles on the clock. RE: your trip, I'd probably do it. With 350,000 already on the clock, this car is a driver - so the extra miles won't hurt value. It sounds like the previous owner was pretty good at keeping the car in order. You might want to ask the previous owner what he thinks, as he will know the car best. Good luck and enjoy your '77 narrow-body. I'm obviously partial, but I think they look the best!

[Mike Czech]

If you do the ride, post some pics here: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/632342-ultimate-mid-year-911-thread.html

[SpenceRx]

Thanks Mike. I’ll also add the PO was encouraging the drive and the car did 300km flawlessly to get to Edmonton. That short trip is nothing like the Rockies though.

[PeteKz]

Go for it!

It's a wonderful experience to take a car you just bought on a road trip. Think about the experience the original owner had with his European delivery! You will probably uncover some squeaks and wind noises, but not likely that anything will break. 12 hours is a stroll in the park.

When you get back, go through the repair receipts and see what work was done to the engine while the heads were rebuilt. It would be a bonus if the case had Timeserts/case savers installed.

[wildthing]

Just perform the usual checks before a long drive... brakes, tires, oil level. You should be fine. Start a thread here and post updates of the trip. Plan your stops and know where to get help along the way.

[Dan J]

I'd do it in a minute! I would change the fuel pump before I left (Keep the present one for a spare and get a new CDI box again keeping the present one for a spare.Maybe a new alternator and belt. If it still has points a spare set and make sure you can change them
I am a belt and suspenders kind of guy Other then that anything else should be locally available

[AG81]

This is a very very nice find.... Enjoy and good luck with your trip.

[KRLocke]

You would be crazy not to do the trip. I would put a new alternator in it and have a fantastic time, great find! Mid years were underappreciated for a long time but they are light and nimble and svelte without fussy flares.

[Otter74]

If the car’s been maintained well - and it appears it has - you’re not at all crazy to take that drive. If it were mine, I wouldn’t even consider not doing it. I’ve done three fly-and-drive trips with old cars I had just bought (my 911 from Atlanta, Saab SPG from Vancouver, BMW E12 from Berkeley), and all trips were memorable. If something happens, a credit card and the Canadian equivalent of AAA should take care of you.

[fanaudical]

Beautiful car! Take the trip.

[silverlock]

Drive it back for sure! It’s a beautiful looking example (congratulations!).

Make sure the tool kit (and jack) in the are functional, and consider bringing some “easily swapped” spares like an ignition coil, fan belt, fuel pump relay (most useful!), and some tools/zip ties/tape. I’ve picked up two 911’s (one 3000 mi away; the other 1000 mi away) in the last two years and had a spares kit with me both times. Sometimes it’s less about “can I fix it on the side of the road” and more “can I get it towed to the nearest town and have someone else fix it without it taking days for parts”.

[booyah911]

Do it! Just make sure the PO was actually on top of maintenance and drove the car regularly. And absolutely have AAA or Canadian equivalent to cover long-haul towing, just in case...

I attempted a six-hour drive home after my SC purchase and got stranded some 85 miles from the PO in the sticks. CDI died. I eventually found tons of maintenance required on the car, as the PO had only done annual oil changes and otherwise didn't really drive it or maintain it.

[deemsriddle]

Hagerty Insurance has good rates and I highly recommend them. Join the Driver's Club and they have free towing. Nice find!

[SpenceRx]

I’m going to do the drive! Starting to plan my toolkit. My dad is in the city where the car is located and he’s got triplicates of many took so I can make a nice set for the road.

Tools:
Metric wrenches
Metric socket set
Vice grips
Screw drivers
Pliers
Head mounted flashlight

Supplies:
Fire extinguisher (preferably Halotron)
Tire plugs
Oil
Zip ties
Tape (electrical and duct)
CAA membership for towing

Parts:
Fan belt
Ignition coil
Fuel pump relay
Fuses

Please add to these lists with any ideas you have!

[$yncro]

I would drive it, should be a blast but be prepared for anything.
I moved to Van from Edmonton and I had a 88 M3 in excellent shape.
But what threw the car off was the altitude changes..I had a CF box and
Alpha N that I had to retuned while passing thru the Rockies down sea level.
The point is I knew the car well but challenges made it interesting trip.
Just take slow you'll make it for sure. BCAA is a must for sure.
Good luck.

[KMoore68]

Congrats on the car, I also have a 1977 911 S but mine is a Targa.

I've done the drive via Princeton and Manning Park a bunch in my car and I would definitely recommend it over the Coquihalla. There are a bunch of twisties that are fun to drive in an old air-cooled car!

Enjoy!

[snbush67]

That car is very nice and looks well maintained!

For your list, remember if you bring it you won’t need it. It’s like an umbrella.

Multimeter
Tow strap
Spare starter
Spare fuel pump
Spare coil
Spare distributor rotor
Hammer
Pry bar
Spare wire

[EC900]

‘77 S here too.
Nice ride height so suspension-wise you should have a pleasant drive compared to a lowered rough rider.
Looks like you’re prepared maybe add a plastic spare gas can as the fuel sender gauges might not be so accurate. An air pump too for the SpaceSaver spare tire with a decent lug wrench.

Not to worry on the Coq, but watch out for the Al Quiring Towing’s giant green monster, would be a nice photo side by side with your ‘77.

Keep us Mid-Years posted and happy motoring!

[Bill Douglas]

Sweet!!!