'72T SoCal Survivor, You Might Not Like - Or Might?

[SD Swede]

Please allow me to re-introduce myself here. After wrenching on old, really old, VW’s for about 30+ years my VW partner/buddy shocked me by having replaced one of his last VW’s without asking for my advice/support/permission. While passing through my buddy’s town on our way home from an out of town hockey game, my wife and I were invited to stay the night as to not have such a late night long drive. My wife had not yet been at my buddy’s new home and I decided to show off his garage, (aka a vintage VW museum) to her. My wife didn’t seem too interested but humored us anyways. My buddy popped the garage door and I, having been very familiar with what was always parked where, was speechless…for about 5 long seconds. Then I stated jumping up and down, screaming, “What the f@#% is that?“ over and over. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my wife’s face buried in her hands and I think I could make out…”Ohhh nooooooo.”

My buddy then took me for a late night run down the empty streets of Long Beach. I was sold. Even in a legit DKP car, there was no way to replicate the scream of his ’69T with my ass just seemingly 6” above the ground. My wife had immediately recognized it; there would be no way to stop it.

It didn’t take long for me to get over him not consulting with me first, (we had “shared” every VW build, restoration, purchase and sale in the past). Instead we forged ahead, together once again, with finding me one. This was fairly recently. Recently enough to have completely missed the boat on the early 911 “deals.” But I was determined to make it happen, even on a “working guy’s” budget, all the while getting two step kids off to college.

One way to get started, according to my buddy, was to join the Early 911S Registry. I did about 18 months ago and members there may remember my first post. It was a WTT (or FS) ad listing the source of $$ to, in part, find and buy a 911. It listed the ’67 Deluxe VW bus that later became my last VW, I think…?? The super talented/knowledgeable Paul Kramer of ‘Auto Kennel’ (Costa Mesa, CA) had my bus off to Denmark in just days and I had some green in my pocket. I was conflicted about the sale, as we often are. That bus had been with me for over 25 years, all good times to say the least! And, going to Europe? Well, at least it was Denmark and not Norway! That would obviously have been a deal breaker for me, (study your history)! Btw, my buddy’s 69T came from Paul’s place too.

But, as most of you would suspect, this would not be anywhere enough $ to corral an early car. It didn’t take much research to figure out that they were still out of my reach. Yes, I was one of those annoying, dreaming, tire kickers you all hate with a passion! I did hold true to NEVER critique cars I looked at, as I knew damn well they were worth every penny!

So, in stepped another talent, and now a good friend, Scott of ‘RS-Werks’ (Newark, DE). On my budget he built me an affordable stand in. A ’78 SC was turned into an RS clone, a remarkably great looking and fun-driving car, IMHO as they say. I enjoyed that car tremendously, yet was still dreaming of the next step. The backdated car ended up in Michigan eventually; another car I would have kept had I been able to afford to.

Even before my ’78 had left me I had started mentally “shopping.” Many of you may remember this car listed for sale. I had been emailing back and forth with the owner several times. Essentially, I was still that irritating tire kicker that would never go away. I was always asking more and more questions but in reality I was just stalling, waiting for the sale of my other car to go through.

When the time came and I was ready to pull the trigger I honestly did not expect it to still be available. To further make me loose sleep, no joke, I had to unexpectedly go out of town for the Toy/Lit Show & Phoenix Club events weekend that I had for months been planning on attending. I scrambled to get a late flight home, arriving about 1:30 am Sunday morning. I napped for about an hour, drove up north and met the owner a few blocks down, far away, from the Phoenix Club crowd. He agreed to bring the car over so I could check out in person and drive it. I was terrified of him getting it near the event, with “buyers” from all over the world walking around with cash in their pockets. The car had “spoken” to me already and at this point, for several reasons; I think it was meant to be. It really stressed me out when he told me that he had unexpectedly driven it to the Toy & Lit show the day before with For Sale signs in the windows (you may have seen it there too) but no sale that day. I want to thank you for not buying it! …again, meant to be??

The owner had told me the paint was only decent, “a 10 footer.” It had been re-painted once, in it’s light yellow, about 10 years into its life so now the paint was almost 35 years old. I was concerned about that mostly because I knew I could not afford to have it re-painted if I bought it, at least not for a very long time, so I would have to live with it. Well, I didn’t think it was so bad at all and I also thought I could put some work into it and make it better. There was another much more obvious reason to not re-paint as well…more details on that later (tho it should be initially obvious).

When I drove it I was sold. Definitely not a standard “T” motor…more details on that later also. I gave him a deposit that morning and walked back over to the swap meet, broke for now, but with a big smile on my face. A guy with no money in his pocket, at a Porsche swap meet, yet with a smile on his face…that has to be rare! But, I felt like I had skin (aka: sweat, tears & blood) in the game at last!

I had the car in San Diego within a week and in the last couple of months I’ve done some things with it…things, I know, some will not like. No worries, I love it! And this is what it looks like (for) now… with details, some very embarrassing, to come…

[Royze]

Congratulations Pete! Happy for you brother!

such a beautiful car and the interior is amazing!

[impactbumper]

Congrats. Very good story. Enjoy it at good health and drive it like it is supposed to be driven. Life is too short

[kshafer1]

Awesome story and a beautiful car. Look forward to seeing it in person!

[Last911]

Very nice!! I love the seats!

[Bill Douglas]

The cutest car ever SD. Perfect once you lose that ducktail.

[Harry998R]

Hi Pete,

Congratulations on your purchase! From on '72T owner to another, I know how you feel

I remember when that car was for sale due to the pin striping and thinking that it was a cool car and must have some stories to tell.

I love your seats too!


Cheers,

Harry.

[pete3799]

Most excellent.
Best of luck with it.

[Oh Haha]

Way cool car and story Pete!

Who cares if others like/dislike what you do to it!

Enjoy it the way the good doctor intended!!

[DanielDudley]

Pretty Sweet.

[blucille]

Great car, Pete...it was on my short list until my Gemini blue car appeared.

[Reiver]

Great car...keep the DT....seats and color are fantastic.

[shaunmbenson]

perfect as is - -well done

[SD Swede]

Thanks for the kind words.

The car was striped in the early 80's by the SoCal pin-striping legend "Shaky Jake," (Charles Babbitt). He was a Costa Mesa based guy who was reported to be a fireman, out on disability, who started the painting deal on the side. I think he mostly performed on hot rods of American heritage but was also big in the custom VW & Porsche scene of the time. He reportedly passed in the late 80's or early 90's after a long battle with cancer, (it's been tough finding accurate info).

History - Shakey Jake...Man or Myth | The H.A.M.B.

At first sight of it, I was like, ehhhhh...I don't know?? Not everybody's thing that I know...But, it very quickly grew on me, definitely unusual as I had never seen it on a Porsche before. Now I love it, part of the car's personality and history. Gotta make sure I preserve it!




His signature on right bottom edge of ducktail...fading away...

[SD Swede]

I mentioned something about the motor...not original. Drawback? Probably for value. I don't care, not why I've got the car. For enjoyment, excellent, and maybe the next best thing to matching numbers. It's got a 7R non-numbered case, maybe a factory warranty replacement case?? Per Tony and Marco at TLG in North Hollywood it's basically been built to S specs at some point, (still a 2.4). S cams, S pistons, etc. Everyone who has driven the car, my own mechanic included, comment on how its obvious. It does pull incredibly hard, especially once past 5K RPM. The stock MFI system is in place and working great.

(I have sent after a COA, for kicks, to see what it was originally equipped with).

[Last911]

The pinstripe is over the top awesome. If you are into buses, they must feel right at home (I'm sure you know the older buses came with factory pinstripe and bus nerds try very hard to preserve or recreate them).

[jdbunda]

Congrats and welcome to the '72 brotherhood. Your dues invoice will arrive shortly

Very cool car! The pinstriping is an interesting touch, very unusual. And a great excuse to leave her exactly as she is!

[manbridge 74]

Like. Mightily.

[Flieger]

I approve.

[SD Swede]

I have made mostly small changes to the car, things which all can easily be reversed. All stock parts are carefully stored away. However, what started as me just talking to a mechanic, (not the best thing for your wallet), about lowering my car a tad turned into a complete suspension build. But, it turned out, it was some of the best money spent when it came to hard (aka: fun) driving of the car. It drives completely different from before. I couldn’t believe the difference.

Suspension guru Steve Grosekemper at Black Forest in San Diego planned it and built it. Here is a short list of what we did.

Front: New A-arms (74-89 versions) with Elephant Racing poly bronze bearings/bushings. Transferred the ball joints, aligning the A-arm mounts to the chassis to preclude binding during travel. Installed new 21mm ER torsion bars. Installed a 22mm sway bar (scavenged from an SC), not thru body to minimize wear spots. All new bushings all around, front and rear.

Rear: Replaced the stock spring plates with adjustable ones (again, scavenged from an SC) with new ER poly bronze bushings. New ER 26mm torsion bars. Custom installation of a 18mm sway bar (again, from an SC) by welding on Wevo frame mounts and modified end links to fit early chassis.

We then adjusted the ride height at each corner to basically sit as low as possible without having any rubbing, paint burning issues even during an occasional Auto Cross. Steve considered all factors, wheel/tire size, suspension stiffness, while dialing in -1.4 camber for the front and -1.8 for the rear. The car was then aligned and corner balanced. (Car is at 2304 lbs.) The fronts are deep sixes and the rears standard sevens, all with 205/60/15’s. Steve also added 8mm spacers in the front for a wider track.

Again, I know that this set up is not everybody’s thing on a narrow bodied car. (And, I have another future plan for a set of stock 6X15’s). The polished finish may be a little too shiny for some, but it was the thing to do in the early 80’s…the car’s theme of sorts. I also put in 80mm wheel studs, as I like that look, and the open lugs are titanium, not steel.