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US 911s
Another new one ....
Looking at a US-sourced 911 (no additional letter), '68. Has been in Australia for a few years and is registered. Obviously is LHD. Seems straight and rust free but paint needs doing and the seats are from a 74 model. Having it checked by local Porsche Centre.
So, can one get the original seats? Second what is the market for the LHD variants? I lived in the States and Europe for some years so that is no hassle for me really (the dog leg g'box is a different matter...)
Any things that I should be really careful about?
Merv
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Merv
After steering clear of a LHD car for over a year, I finally broke down and bought one mainly due to the prices being asked for good pre 74 RHD cars. I am finding the LHD no hassle at all and am getting used to the dogleg box. Obviously the purchase price on a left hooker needs to be substantially less than a RHD as it will always be worth a fair bit less in Aus. I am pretty sure one can pick up a pair of original early seats, but there is also a great selection of aftermarket replica seats. Things to be careful about? - rust, rust and rust.
Rob
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Thanks Rob. Seller seems honest, is meticulous and well ... the rust aspect is being checked, as is the motor for leaks (I believe that the early ones always have some kind of leak due to the magnesium construction). Car feels tight with no rattles or clunks. It is hard to estimate values on the LHD of course. I have looked around for replica seats but not seen any complete ones as yet. Any suggestions welcomed. The ones in it are later ones with a 'tombstone' headrest. Probably safer but ...
Which model did you buy?
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Complete pairs of seats are around, colour and condition vary, drop me a line if you do buy it.
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Thanks Chris. That is good of you. Will do!
Merv
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Merv,
My 2c is leave it LHD. Its a lot of money to put into a conversion that some will use to devalue the car anyway. I also feel hat from a global market perspective you have a bigger market to sell the car as a LHD. Spend the money on making sure the bushes are replaced and the shifter coupler and shifter bushes are replaced. Do the shocks and then get out and drive it and enjoy it.....
I am biased though!!!
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Yes Tim, I would not alter the LHD and you are right it is a global market these days. All the OPC checks happen tomorrow. Front suspension has supposedly had new shocks and the rear all new bushes, as have all the shifter bushes been replaced. The 16 x 6 Fuchs have been chromed at some stage (I suspect that they didn't come that way) and two are a bit flakey or bubbly. I suspect the best way forward on that is to strip them all back and polish? Floor pans look good all-round. Seats need replacement with originals or reproductions.
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merv,
it's a great looking little car.
for the cost of acquiring original seats and refurbing them its a far better option to look for some period correct repros, Phil Lack from TYP901 sells BF Torino plenty of options there. you could also consider some early 80's Recaros, they dont look too out of place and can be picked up reasonably on eBay.
ditch the 16' Fuchs, a set of 15's will pop up, the car and suspension was designed for them.
regards
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Ditto to Craig's advice; you should be able to find some nice original seats - but there are some very nice reproduction sport seats from the era that make driving these old cars a more pleasant experience.
I have 'Nurburgring' seats from BF Torino which have been custom upholstered. These sorts of seats are a a 'bolt-in' upgrade and don't devalue an otherwise original car.
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Many thanks Craig and John. Those Torino BF seats look good and seem more period. Such as these? http://shop.bf-torino.com/bf-autosit...rz-pepita.html
How useful is a reclining/adjustable back?
They do look very good and they are consistent with the car's age and provenance? Do you need all the extra bits, rails (of course), but the other bits? The TYp901 site is a nice. I hadn't seen that. Is Phil Lack in Aus?
The 16" Fuchs seem to sit well but I guess 15" was the original.
Merv