Porsche 912 down to bare metal...now what?

[91268]

As you may notice, this is my first post. I bought a 1968 912 on Ebay in 2004. Needles to say what was advertised and what showed up on the truck were not exactly in the same condition rust wise. I was single and 24 si I drove it till I had an engine fire. Then, I tore it apart, not realizing what I was getting into.

Now, after a new front suspension pan, cutting out of all rust, welding in new sheet metal, some media blasting and self etching primer (since pictures below were taken); I have a solid rust free tub tub and a family that keeps me from doing much work myself.

The engine in it when purchased was a VW Type I 1776 coupled to a 5 speed 901 transmission. The engine has since been rebuild with new carbs, exhaust, ect...

After all the rust repair, paint, engine rebuild/engine mount fab, new rubber, a new fuel tank, etc. I will probably have close to 15K into this beast; more than the car is probably worth.

It has an aftermarket S type fiberglass bumper that may be too battered to use, some 80's 911 seats and mismatched green lettered early 912 gauges. At this point I am wondering if it is worth the extra expense of getting as close to factory as possible or just finishing the build and driving it.

Should I put the beat up old aftermarket fiberglass S bumper on it or shell out the money for the stock SWB bumper?

The factory color was paint code 6808, burgundy. I was thinking the new color will be porsche 356 Non-matalic Aquamarine ...viper green, Guard Red, or Audi Aviation Grey. Would I be better served to go with the original color?

There is a 1968 date coded engine that is torn apart for sale locally for another $3,500 that I might buy for rebuild and installation down the road. Would it be worth it given it will always be a replacement motor? How can I be sure the case and parts are decent?

Would suspension or brake upgrades hurt the value?

I am open to a little hot rodding but this will be a fair weather commuter/weekend driver.

I am trying to navigate a way to completion that will yield a car with the most value. So, I am looking for input from you experts on how best to spend my money completing this project! Any pearls of wisdom?





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[COLB]

(copied from technical forum thread for continuity sake)

Matt Monsen is a 912 guy, and will very likely have some informed advice once he sees the post.

I don't know what your car is worth as it sits, but these cars are rising in value quickly -- solid cars are trading in the $20s, and excellent cars over $30k. With the rust taken care of, the value of yours might surprise you -- and it is probably worth keeping it as original as possible since you have already done some of the hardest work (the rust repair!)

As far as uninformed advice goes, from a value perspective you can't go wrong keeping it the original burgundy. And I would spend the money on a correct bumper, and date coded engine -- although $3500 seems steep for a motor in pieces. An expert might suggest going with a hopped-up motor (even a VW one) over a date-coded one, since it is a replacement either way. But on the other thread other posters thought an original motor is the way to go.

If you really dislike burgundy, I would suggest a popular but correct factory color, like:

Irish Green
Ossi Blue
Slate Gray
Tangerine
Lemon Yellow

You could pick one of those, or another from here:

912 Registry :: Factory Paint Code Table

I would also spend the money and replace any external and interior parts as close to factory as possible. But if the body & paintwork are good, you can work on the interior over time as you drive it!

Good luck -- sounds like a great project.

[GWP911T]

I'm not an expert but here's my 2 cents. I would paint it the factory color to include a proper bumper being the only new acquisition. Then get that sucker on the road! You can then bring it back closer to stock as time, resources and opportunity allows. You might buy one component each year ( gauges, seats, engine) and go from there. Your project looks fantastic. I have a father/son 912 project on the horizon and it looks like 912 values are on the rise and stock is more preferred.

[pors1968]

You have a pretty solid car nice job .For engine 3500.00 in parts seen to me expensive and you have to spend money to rebuilt that engine.

[COLB]

Not sure where you are located.

This guy in Florida has a 912 engine for $4500, claiming a rebuild with less than 10k.

Might be worth a call. I infer from the ad it is still available.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-356-used-parts-sale-wanted/755045-356-912-parts-lot-some-nos-rare-old-blocks-cores-etc.html

[JJK78-951]

Wow, job well done sir! It takes a lot of work to get rid of all the rust that can build up on these cars, you have done a fabulous job from what I can see!

The advice given by others is all very good and repeat and add my $.02! Again great work on the rust repair, if you haven't already make sure you preserve it all by making sure it is all properly sealed so none of that rust ever comes back!

It sounds like you are going to be enjoying this car for yourself, and possibly passing it along to the little ones one day. Since you don't have the original motor that is a big hit to the top value the car will bring. That being the case (or without the case for that matter ), putting it back to the original color probably won't add much value unless you find someone who is simply looking for a burgundy car for their collection. As long as you keep it a Porsche factory color it's all the same, and they had a lot of cool colors to choose from... now if it were a 911 it would be a different story as the values on those car be triple digits+~

As far as bumpers and interiors stuffs - all that can be easily changed at any time so again, if you plan to keep it and enjoy it, get it on the road first and don't waste time or money that can be put into getting it roadworthy first. You never know what other things may pop up once you get it on the road and it would suck to have spent extra money on a dashboard and gauges when you need a transmission rebuild... know what I mean?

That 68 motor you mentioned... $3500 for a motor in pieces is WAAAAYYYY to much money... Unless it matches your chassis!! For $3500 it should be at least running, just keep your eyes open, they are out there, plenty of them~

Brakes and suspension I would follow along the same lines as the interior stuff... most of it swaps pretty easily so get the car on the road first and when the extra money comes up once the car is happy, reward it with upgrades~

With $15k in the car now you are still doing just fine as the values of these cars is climbing. Regardless of personal choices of interior/upgrades the car will be worth $25-30k when you are done with it simply because it is truly a rust free car that has been refreshed~

Keep us updated and welcome to The Pelican Forums~
J

[91268]

Thanks for all the great input. If anyone has a line on a decent front bumper please let me know. I found on at Parts Heaven for $650 plus $90 for each fog light panel but that's pressing my budget. I've never dealt with them. Is that the going rate?

[upwardr]

That's top money I found a 68 and down front bumper in new condition for 75.00 at a swap. Keep looking there a still deals to be had if you have cash ready.
Fog light covers 90.00 a pair is no problem.

[91268]

Renn Speed also has these bumpers for $300 that look like the stock one but are fiberglass:

www.Rennspd.Com

Anyone fit bumperettes to one?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by GWP911T

I'm not an expert but here's my 2 cents. I would paint it the factory color to include a proper bumper being the only new acquisition. Then get that sucker on the road! You can then bring it back closer to stock as time, resources and opportunity allows. You might buy one component each year ( gauges, seats, engine) and go from there. Your project looks fantastic. I have a father/son 912 project on the horizon and it looks like 912 values are on the rise and stock is more preferred.

I agree with this.

Who is this Matt Monsen guy?

[COLB]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I agree with this.

Who is this Matt Monsen guy?

My bad.

[Matt Monson]

The common spelling is "Munson". I've gotten that my whole life. The Monsen thing may be a first.

[COLB]

I know another Matt "Monsen". And I have a friend with the last name "Andersen" who takes it as an affront if you spell his name Anderson.

So my brain biased to the e over the o.

[wachuko]

Be sure to visit the 912 bbs . org site.

Also, for used parts. Jim at Easypor . com is a great guy to get used parts from.

EASY
4060 Harlan St.
Emeryville, CA 94608

Tel: 510.653.3279


I am working on mine... as well...

[techweenie]

It has a VW engine, and even if you put a 912 engine in it, it won't be 'original,' so why not make it "yours" by painting it whatever color strikes your fancy?

[wachuko]

If you plan to sell it then going with the original color would be best, and that Burgundy is quite nice.... But if your plans are to enjoy it until they have to pry the keys from your cold dead hand, then go with whatever color you like.

[wachuko]

Forgot the photo.... It could look like this again...








Not a 912, but the same color:

[kcheves]

Originally Posted by COLB

I know another Matt "Monsen". And I have a friend with the last name "Andersen" who takes it as an affront if you spell his name Anderson.

Swedes vs. Norwegians!

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by kcheves

Swedes vs. Norwegians!

You have forgotten the Danes. That side of the family is a mix of Swedish and Danish. Interestingly because of the historical naming convention there are Monsens and Anderson's and Andersens in my history, as well as Christiansens.

Back to the 912 I need to post pictures of my new seats. They are nice. About ready to start my Spring return to wrenching on it.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by JJK78-951

... As long as you keep it a Porsche factory color it's all the same, and they had a lot of cool colors to choose from...

Keep us updated and welcome to The Pelican Forums~
J

Here are some of the colors of that era....