1971T Karmann Edition Suggestions and help-see pics

[Ron Cumiford]

SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!
My first shot at vintage soooo
I picked up this weekend a 71 911T tub with trans and axles. An original Karmann edition. Vin 9111120553. Has engine# 611 4646 out of the car, and is supposed to be a match. How do I check this?
Car was converted to an SC look with SC flares so will need to be converted back. Came with all original 71 windows and surrounds except windshield, and has H4's. Engine is a together long block with carbs separate and is missing some valve/timing chain covers and numerous small parts.
Tub is virtually rust free pan except for a 1" hole in the rear drivers side passenger seat bottom, six month old cocoa color repaint over an original red shows no evidence of rust or bubbling at the pillars or cowl or window frames. Really no rust at all. Speedo shows 49K but means nothing, of course.
Trying to decide how to go with this car and at this point am looking for value for investment more than pleasure.
Is it better to rebuild the engine and trans then rebuild the car as original, with original color, since it is a Karmann car, or does that even have any provenance or rebuild as a vintage track car or is it better to rebuild the 2.2 engine and trans and make an RS look out of it or would it make more sense to sell the motor and trans and put in a 3 liter and 915 with SC trailing arms, axles , hubs, and calipers which I have available, and then build a RS or RSR replica or should I try to sell it and start over with something else and if so, what's it worth as is? Whew!
Any suggestions highly appreciated. See pics

Ron

[ossiblue]

With all the options you have already mentioned, I'll jump on this: "at this point am looking for value for investment more than pleasure. "

Trying to restore to original--remove flairs, replace front fenders and hood (they look to be short hood), rebuild engine, repaint to original color--will put you upsidedown in the blink of an eye and there is nothing especially unique about a 71T other than the contiued rise of all long hoods in general. The Karmann body is of no consequence, IMO, and the engine # is correct for the year but aside from getting verification from the factory there is no way to tell if it is original to the car.

That being said, and your original quote in mind, you could go with your last suggestion: "put in a 3 liter and 915 with SC trailing arms, axles , hubs, and calipers which I have available, and then build a RS or RSR replica." Then, again, you still would have to change out the front end to make it a true replica.

I have no idea about track car value, but as far as value of investment goes, that might be the best road to travel, given what you have to start with.

[Ron Cumiford]

L.J.
Thanks for the response. From the posts, you appear to be one of the residence experts. If I go with the 78 3 liter, should I leave it stock or is it worth it to rebuild to an RS spec motor with carbs, etc. And also with the 3 liter susp, does the shock tower bridge need changing for proper suspension angles? Heard that from someone. What was the difference in the Karmann body anyway?
Thanks,
Ron

[ossiblue]

I appreciate your "read" of my post, but I am in no way a resident expert--just an interested DIYer with limited first hand knowledge on many P car issues. I cannot answer any of your questions, but there are many on this board that have gone this route and can offer true first hand advice--be patient, they will respond. As for the karmann body, my understanding is there is no significant difference, it was just another facility used to build the bodies due to a demand that exceeded the Porsche factory.

[trader220]

These cars, save for a few are NOT good investments. That goes triple when you have to restore one on your dollar and time.