One side done!

[DarrylD]

The continuing saga of man vs. rust...

Today I put the finishing touches on the right side of the '66 912 I've been restoring on-and-off since January.

Here's one of those photos that I just love doing, before and after. In this case the before is the point of maximum rusty sheetmetal removal before welding new steel back in:



Here's the part I'm particularly proud of, total conformance to factory spec, a uniform 3mm door gap all the way around! If you've been following this project on my blog, this is the side of the car that had been damaged in a collision and the door was pushed back to the point where it touched the lockpost prior to being pulled out on a frame rack. The bottom 2" of the door is also all new steel.



Last but not least, here's how a new rubber door threshold mat looks set in place (and a nice view of the new floorpans):



I appreciate all the supportive feedback you guys have given me on my past postings and love when I can share a milestone with you all!

Darryl D.

My '66 912 Project

[Eric-325I]

Unreal... All I can think to write. Please keep the updates comming.

Eric

[RFR]

An artist you are!


Roman in LA
78 targa

[klaucke]

Darryl, once again, fantastic work! Your attention to detail is remarkable. I look forward to reading about your continued progress.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Darryl,

Amazing, simply amazing...but you know that already. Hats off and a bow from the waist to you.

Maybe you mentioned it and I never read it, but what are your plans for the mechanicals....if it needs anything? Is this a full resto or are you contemplating a warming over via big bore kit, higher compression, improved carbueration/exhaust or other?

Here are a couple of pictures I took at this years German Autofest in Ventura of the most AMAZING 912 I've ever seen. The amount of detailing work the owner has done on this car is...well, "DarrylD-worthy" - my HIGHEST compliment.

Enjoy. Please keep the pictures coming, Dan

[78-911SC]

Unbelievable project with old school craftsmanship. You are a true craftsman.

[ghnat]

Wow! That is beautiful work, simply beautiful.

[Carrera Charlie]

Darryl,

You are a true craftsman! Congratulation on completing the right side!

I hope I can come close to your level of fit and finish as I get into my projects!

Cheers mate,

[DarrylD]

First of all, thanks for all the supportive feedback you guys!

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Maybe you mentioned it and I never read it, but what are your plans for the mechanicals....if it needs anything? Is this a full resto or are you contemplating a warming over via big bore kit, higher compression, improved carbueration/exhaust or other?

Hey Dan!

Thanks for asking! When this car was wrecked, the engine only had a few thousand miles on a top end rebuild so everything should be in pretty good shape. It does drip oil, so I'll be tearing it down to reseal the case and will inspect and measure everything and make a judgment call as to what to do to it.

Since it is the same engine serial number as listed on the window sticker, it's worthy of some extra efforts to keep it in the car. The engine came with Weber carbs, Bosch 050 distributor and late rubber motor mount bar:



My goal is to return it to the original factory configuration (warts and all), single shaft Solex carbs, early Mann & Hummel air filters, Bosch 022 distributor and solid motor mount bar. I've already hunted-down all the parts required to accomplish that goal:



Given the mods made to the outside of the engine, I'd bet there's already a big-bore kit in it and I'd like to keep that and re-jet the Solexes to work with it. The big question will be to keep the stock crank or go with a SCAT lightweight crank and add a mild cam to add some snap to the throttle response... nothing too wild, just a little sleeper action. A lot depends on what's already in there... who knows, I might just reseal the case and go with the way it is for a year or two if everything looks too good to toss.

[livi]

Darryl,

Like I have said before, when it comes to those projects that intimidate the pants off of most of us - you are a wizard !

Do you do overseas house calls ?

[Zef]

All I can say is that your are an artist Darryl...

[Joeaksa]

Very nice! Ever want to spend the winter in Arizona, believe that I have some things you could stay busy with!

Joe A

[Sweeny Todd]

Darryl,

Excellent work! That looks terrific.

Also, thanks for posting the pictures and giving us advice. Witness below, my first attempt at rust repair in the exact same location.

I couldn't have done it without your help.

Thanks,

H

[DarrylD]

Aw shucks Hal... hats should really go off to you for accomplishing the job yourself!

The only credit I'll take is my photos make first-timers re-think how a replacement panel is used and that wasting most of it by cutting it down is OK!

A metal patch is a metal patch and its not how pretty it looks before paint, rather that a magnet will stick to it after paint! I like to keep as much of the original sheetmetal as possible to leave something to weld to for the next guy in 40 years!

Keep up the good work!

[azasadny]

Darryl,
Great work, you're a master craftsman!!

[bigchillcar]

sweeeeeeet D!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by DarrylD
Hey Dan!

Thanks for asking! When this car was wrecked, the engine only had a few thousand miles on a top end rebuild so everything should be in pretty good shape............A lot depends on what's already in there... who knows, I might just reseal the case and go with the way it is for a year or two if everything looks too good to toss.

Naw, you should do LOTS of mod's... because its not like you've spent any time on it so far!

I'm kidding of course. If it really is that fresh and you're "there" already in original parts, I think I'd stay original as you've decided. Oooohhhh...powder coating...though. And with the DarrlD "touch"? I GOTTA see the outcome of this project.

By the way, are you keeping all these cars? The Middie, the Jeep, 914 and the '12? You've done such nice work it'd be hard to sell them but...?

[Sweeny Todd]

Originally posted by DarrylD
Aw shucks Hal... hats should really go off to you for accomplishing the job yourself!

The only credit I'll take is my photos make first-timers re-think how a replacement panel is used and that wasting most of it by cutting it down is OK!

A metal patch is a metal patch and its not how pretty it looks before paint, rather that a magnet will stick to it after paint! I like to keep as much of the original sheetmetal as possible to leave something to weld to for the next guy in 40 years!

Keep up the good work!

I guess it's like most things. My initial thoughts were that it was a really complicated thing to do. After looking at your photos and your website it looked hard but doable. Now that I've done it, I have to say, it really wasn't very difficult at all. All it really took was attention to detail and patience.

The biggest thing I've learned so far, is that all this stuff is just something you do. If you exercise a little forethought, try to understand the process and are patient, you can really do just about anything you have the tools for.

H

[DarrylD]

Thanks you guys...

Does this answer your question Dan...

[bigchillcar]

darryl...if that's your actual living room - and not your garage - you're a god. looks like carpet..lol.