Help tracking down a 1972 911T

[wjdunham]

Hi, Bill here - I'm new to the forum, but not to the 911 world. In fact, I think I had an account here many years ago but it's been long enough and I'm at the age where if I didn't write it down... Anyway, below is the hopefully not-too-long story and request for any help even if it's a long shot.

I currently own a 1969 911E Targa for which I'm trying to track down the motor. I restored the car in my garage, it's a driver, definitely not a show car. Bought the car in the mid 90's in San Jose from a classified add in the newspaper, anyone remember those? Car had a well running engine but the rest was in pretty rough shape, when I went to take out the floor mat on the drivers side the pedal cluster pretty much came out along with it, and there was plenty of other typical areas of rust and rot. At the time, I also owned a sheeper (I think that's what you guys would call it :-) '72 targa that had been chopped into a turbo look cab, car was in decent shape but motor needed work. I swapped the engines, happily drove the '72 as my daily driver for many years. Got busy with a major house remodel, racing bicycles, starting a guitar amplifier company in my garage, and other distractions and the car wound up sitting in the street under a cover. Around 2002 or 2003 I got an offer from someone who lived nearby to take it off my hands and at that time I was more than happy to get it off the street.

At the same time I had also parked the '69 Targa in the garage, removed the battery and happily went about my business. I wake up about 3 months ago and figured I'd sell the car, free up the garage space and buy a "normal" car. Thought I'd list it for 18K and take 14 or 15. Well, imagine my surprise when I look on the internets and see cars in far worse shape than this was in when I bought it (I paid $4K) selling for $20K, nice ones for WELL more than that. I realize I probably slept right through the peak, but things are still way different than when I was actively playing with these things. So, in stead of selling it I decided to keep it, finish the last 20% of the restoration and see if I can track down the engine, and if not, see if I can put together enough pieces to build a correct 2.0 MFI motor. I left the 901 tranny in the car so I have that at least. I'll probably start another thread on the car with a bunch of questions, but that can wait.

So, anyone seen the white cab in the picture below. I sold it to a professional flipper who lives down the street from me, he claims to not have any idea of where the car might have gone. Quite possible it went overseas. I have the VIN which I can post of that would help. The red one is my '69, hopefully that one is not too much of a sheeper, flares and wheels are about the only egregious mods. I have a normal deck lid and grill that I'm planning to put back on it.

Oh, I also got a wild hare up my rear a few weeks back and bought a bone stock '85 coupe, also included in the photos. I will resist the temptation to mod this one, for now at least :-)

Thanks very much for any help, really appreciate it. It's mind boggling how much wonderful information is available on this forum. I've spent many hours on the musical equipment forums and the level of discourse over here is far superior.

Happy Holidays,

Bill Dunham
San Jose CA

The car I'm looking for:


My 1969 Targa - please ignore the torsion bar cutouts :-)



My new '85: