stan townes 1967 911 speedster

[haig]

Original configuration was 15x7 in the front 15x8 in the rear

[kycarguy 935]

Thanks for posting haig.

Those wheels are still around. I had a mag. set for an old racecar but were stolen for scap. I don't think I would have trusted them now anyway. I am going to replace with the repops too.

Good luck and thanks for sharing.

[ben parrish]

Grady, was that taken at the Stanley Hotel?

[Grady Clay]

Ben,

I don’t remember where that was.

In the picture, I’m intent on the bondo? where the gasket normally is between the fender and the cowl. This car does not have a seam there. In addition, there was a sub-surface rust bulge at the bottom of the fender just ahead of the driver’s door. Even then, the car was showing lack of care when you looked close. I’m sure it was stunning when new but it wasn’t built to last.

Think of this just like any ’67 that has been driven. These cars were already rusting at the Factory as they were painted.

This is why Haig’s effort is so important.

I’ll look through my stuff. I recall writing down the tire size.
There are still a number of period Goodyear race tires made.

Are the replica wheels true copies?

Best,
Grady

[haycait911]

Originally Posted by haig

American Torque Trusts are still around as repops. Tires are a different story. Even Coker doesn't carry them. Happy to send pics to the site. hh

real TT's aren't hard to come by, a little pricey is all. I have a set of 7x15's I might part with for a good cause .

15x8's might be tough, don't recall seeing that size before. not in alum anyway.

[Mitch Leland]

Originally Posted by haig

Mitch, And thus the post. Airplanes and cars are my passion. Been flying GA since 1969, Racing cars since 72.

Haig,

It's really interesting how many members share the passion of aviation and Porsche's on this board...

[haig]

Gene Bergkamp, the second owner, had the car restored in the mid 80's. Went on to win the Oakland show for a second time. There isn't any rust or rust bubbles prevalent anywhere on the car currently. There is a hairline crack by the rear license plate scallop which I suspect is bondo from the shunt in the 90's. The paint work has a nice patina (nice word for worn) for being on the planet 25 years. The car originally had a soft top and as the windshield frame was constructed bt fabricating two speedster bows into one. It is MIA. Though I do have the side curtains Woo Woo! I'm interested in the TT wheels if the price isn't silly. Someone has a pair of 5" wide TT's on the Samba for $2200. Yikes!

[kiwiokie]

There have been a few pairs of torque thrust wheels for sale recently. Go to the 911 parts for sale forum and search for torque thrust. Congratulations on finding this car, it is a rare gem.

[Racerbvd]

Here are a few links on wheels for you.. I have had a few sets in the past, back when no one wanted them, one set came on a 67 "S" I bought way back when..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/575263-1-800-15x7-steel-wheels-american-racing-torque-thrust-wheels.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/487356-vintage-9x15-magnesium-torque-thrust-race-wheels.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/530216-f-s-8-5x15-magnesuim-torque-thrust-wheels-w-new-tires.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/583234-torque-thrust-wheels-2-a.html

[Grady Clay]

Haig,

According to Joe Rusz’s article in Porsche Sport 72, the wheels are: “…American magnesium wheels.” and “American Racing mag wheels”
Front: 7” with Goodyear Sports Car Special 5.00/9.20-15.
Rear: 8.5” with Goodyear Sports Car Special 5.25/9.50-15.


Boschen & Barth* report: “Goodyear tyres, 5.00/920-15 and 5.25/950-15, were mounted on the 7 and 8.5 in American-made rims.”

They also note, “The three-year conversion was estimated to have cost $15,000.”


*Boschen, Lothar and Jurgen Barth; Peter Wareham, trans.; ed. Paul Frére and Michael Cotton; Porsche Specials; (Wellingbrough, Patrick Stevens, 1984); 184-185. ISBN 0-87938-227-9


These authors may have a lot more material than they published. It is worth contacting them.


Goodyear seems to make suitable (new) vintage race tires.
http://www.racegoodyear.com/tires/pdf/Sports_MSRP_05JAN11.pdf
They are still ‘Sports Car Special’ but have ‘Eagle’ on the sidewall. I think the ‘Eagle’ can be ground off without damaging the tire. This then would appear exactly original. You might try this on some worn out take-offs first.

I suspect you can ‘barn find’ old hard originals sitting in some garages but those should be for static show and never driven. One might serve as a guide for detailing current tires.

(I was at the Indy Speedway Museum once, talking to the curator as he was airing-up an early ‘70s Champcar. AJ had taken it out on the track at speed on those decades-old tires. Not me.)

Best,
Grady

[Bitdrive]

I saw this car this afternoon, unfortunately I didn't have time to stop and look at it up close... No worries though. I know the owner isn't going to sell it anytime soon... As I passed it, I mentioned to my 13 year old girl that it was a very very rare car... She immediately responded, ughh dad if it's so rare why didn't you buy it? LOL!!! kids rock!

[haig]

Snort. My girls say the same thing about it. That's ok with me. At least I can rest assured they'll never ask for the keys!

[Jens]

Hay, that's my photograph!

Originally Posted by haycait911

the most beautiful 911 ever built...........................

[haig]

I'd love a copy of the pic. Happy to pay for the expenses. hh

[Jens]

Of course Haig. I'll need to dig out the negative.

[RWebb]

I'm interested also!

[haig]

Thank you Jens. hh

[alwaysflat6s]

Side note to Jens. No one seems to know where your image was taken. It looks to me like it might have been an SCCA Concurs at the Presidio of San Francisco?

I didn't realize so many of us loved this car.

JohnR

[haig]

I think it's the most breathtaking 911 ever constructed. I'm so fortunate to view it every day and drive it when appropriate. 20 years of digging and dumb luck paid off. Especially the dumb luck, stars aligning, and some very fine 911/356 brothers.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by haig

... and some very fine 911/356 brothers.

Aww, thanks Haig. Wait, you weren't talking about me? Crap, you're still pissed at us for taking you to the worst sushi restaurant in Pennsylvania. I knew it. - Matt