912 restoration progress

Michael,

I love the clean front with just the Hella's as cherries on the pie. I did the same "bling investment" for my '66.

Remember to keep a small gap between the top of the light housing and the bumper. If too close, the light as well as the paint could be damaged as a result of the vibration of the light.

Otto

[MichaelB]

Thanks man. Hey, should I use a spacer on the mount stem to lower the light a bit? Thus clearing the valance a bit better? I am not sure I have enough pivot adjustment yet still allow the light to be on the correct horizontal plane...

Michael,

Indeed, one or more spacers can do if you want to keep the beam in the horizontal plane. I adjusted them to point a bit downwards, according to the rules/laws here in Europe. However, they look best in the center of the bumper opening and adjusted in the horizontal plane.

Otto

[MichaelB]

Perlon today.

Michael,

Do you use a heat gun to mold the perlon? The right amount of heat - be carefull! - helps fitting the carpet properly in the corners.

Otto

[MichaelB]

No heat gun, but that would have helped!

Most of it is exactly molded to every curve. But a small percentage of it is not glued yet (like the shifter console). I did remove the chassis insulation in several places and put the perlon directly on the chassis, so some of the curves are not muted any longer. You can see how much I molded & pressed the perlon into the seat-belt mounts & panel landscape etc. I worked it right into those spots. Its like a second skin, which is the direction I was going. And of course a lot of the edge will be covered by the new leather side panels, but I like what I see so far. What you see there took about four hours.

Michael,

Aha, the absence of the insulation is the reason some curves look sharper than orignal. Is there any reason that you did not put new insulation on the chassis? I see you kept the insulation panels under the leather side panels.

In both my 912s I just used Velcro to keep the pieces in the right place. It proved to be useful last summer, when I needed to put some grease on the throttle rod. Like you did, I renewed all bushings and so on, but I fear Mr. Murphy ...

Please, don't misunderstand my critics/notes, I really admire all the work you are doing on your 912!

Otto

[MichaelB]

Otto you could say whatever you would like. I know you are a cheerleader for these cars & would never misunderstand your post.

You're aces with me.

As for the sound deadening... The previous owner put the latest & greatest new style sound-deadening on the floors & I appreciated that so it was left as is. But I am more of a non-sound-deadening guy (for multiple reasons that may only suit me). BUT (and here is the trick) my Ferrari has ZERO sound-deadening in the wheel wells. And every-time my hot sticky tires pick up a stone I hear the suckers bouncing around the wheel wells. I have had enough of that - so the wheel arches in the 912 get to remain padded, just like the floors. The rest goes the way of the storage shelves (yeah I kept all the pieces intact cause I like the car so much).

I glued down more perlon today. It looks really nice. These cars are so pleasing to work with.

Michael,

Below a pic of more or less the same situation - back rests only test fit - during the carpeting of my 'red 66 about a year ago now. Just to illustrate that I can imagine how your fingers, your back and knees felt after these 5 hours. I like your two-tone more and more ...



Remember not to glue the leather on the sidepanels to close to the B-pillar side. There is that little screw (1/8") that needs to be turned in to keep the side panel in correct position.

Otto

[MichaelB]

Great photo. Your carpet kit looks to be a MUCH higher quality.

Super look.

But your seats are MUCH nicer ...

Otto

[MichaelB]

Leather dash pads in (upper & lower)

Just ordinary vinyl, but with over 700 holes for the real sixties sound ... Also from my polo red '66.








The template for the holes is from DarrylD's website. Darryl did a wonderfull restoration of a '65/'66 yellow 912, with a lot of attention to details.

Michael, I almost can smell that leather interior. Great dash!

And how many weeks until its maiden drive?

Otto

[MichaelB]

Oh yes. The speaker grill.

I had printed off Darryl's pattern & even got it to the leather gent in plenty of time... But then I thought about it overnight, and considered that I did not even want the radio hole in the dash fascia... then away went the speaker grill requirement.

My leather guy was thrilled by the way. He did not look forward to that huge grill. I am however impressed that you & Darryl forged forward with it. But for my car (personalized) it just wont be necessary. It's just like the ride height, the six inch Fuch, the Brazilian leather (more aromatic), the 1720 cc upgrade, the Webers, the hounds-tooth... I cant help myself.

!st drive? Well... The previous owner stopped in this last week before he made an exit to Florida for the current cold snap. He will be gone for 60+ days... I told him I would be ready to drive it when he returned. I will continue to work toward that goal

[Bob Harriman]

Get down with your **** Michael. Rig the car with your own personal preferences. I respect the "Originalites" but your gonna drive it, to enjoy it, the way you want it. Your doing such an excellent job it wouldn't be that hard to change if you someday change your mind. When I go to some 912 get togethers I can tell there are some who think what I've done is down right destructive. Wait till I stick the flat six into it

Bob,

Please do not misunderstand my comments. I'll never judge about someones preferences, in whatever way. I do have a lot of respect for Michaels project and want to understand and not negatively criticize his choices. I think he knows that. My note regarding the speaker grill was only to put an accent on my own idiocy to punch over 700 holes in a piece of vinyl, just for the looks.

My 912's aren't 100% originals. I also made my little mods for comfort, looks and reliability. However, they are reversable. If a future beyer would like have the 061 dizzy installed, the electronic equivalent is replaced within a few minutes.

For one the restoration, rebuilding and/or modifying is the fun part, others only like to drive it and a third group enjoys it all. Of course not to forget the concours guys. At least we all have the same passion, the Porsche 912.

Otto

[MichaelB]

All good in the neighborhood. Now two seats!

[Bob Harriman]

Originally Posted by Otto H. Wegkamp

Bob,

Please do not misunderstand my comments. I'll never judge about someones preferences, in whatever way. I do have a lot of respect for Michaels project and want to understand and not negatively criticize his choices. I think he knows that. My note regarding the speaker grill was only to put an accent on my own idiocy to punch over 700 holes in a piece of vinyl, just for the looks.

My 912's aren't 100% originals. I also made my little mods for comfort, looks and reliability. However, they are reversable. If a future beyer would like have the 061 dizzy installed, the electronic equivalent is replaced within a few minutes.

For one the restoration, rebuilding and/or modifying is the fun part, others only like to drive it and a third group enjoys it all. Of course not to forget the concours guys. At least we all have the same passion, the Porsche 912.

Otto

Otto,
I wasn't referring to anything you mentioned. I was just commenting on originality in general. I swear

Bob,

It's my fault. English is not my native language, therefore sometimes missing details or just intreprete someones words in the wrong way. At the other hand, as in real life, my comments are often spontaneous and impulsive, causing misunderstandings. I think it's better I'll stay a bit more on the background and think twice before commenting and prevent this kind of misunderstandings and possibly hurt people.

Otto

[Bob Harriman]

Your contribution is what this forum is all about. I insist you participate in the foreground, not the back round please. Besides, this forum is already struggling for more participation and your experience and input is very valuable. I insist