1973 911T Restore (Garage find)

[BlackC4]

I got a message from an old friend about someone he knew that was trying to sell an old Porsche. I called about it and found that it was a one owner '73 911T Sportomatic. The original owner had the car until about 1985 and decided he wanted to change the color from Light Yellow 117 to white. Based on the books that came with the car, including a "How to paint your car" book, it appears he decided to tackle the project himself.

After completely disassembling the car, pulling the engine and the transmission he began painting. After painting the doors and the hood, he stopped and never picked up the project again. The car sat in his warehouse for a couple of years until the husband of one of his employees bought the car. At that point, around 1988, the car was put into the basement of the new owner and didn't see light again until I bought the car in Dec of last year.

The car was a roller and came with the body parts loosely bolted on as well as five crates full of misc parts. The challenge since has been to find and account for all of the parts. The car is currently undergoing paint and body. Fortunately there is only one spot on the entire car that had any previous rust issues which is a quarter sized hole in the driverside door sill.

Here are a few pictures:

[BlackC4]

Here is its current progress. Body work and prep for new paint:

[beh911]

Very cool. There are a few of us on this forum from Atlanta with cars in varying states of completeness. Would love to check out your project sometime.

[Gumby]

Excellent...back to original color?

[blucille]

based on the condition of the interior and dash, it sure looks like the car had an easy life, so hopefully the completion will be quick and easy.

good luck, keep us posted.

[BlackC4]

Very cool. There are a few of us on this forum from Atlanta with cars in varying states of completeness. Would love to check out your project sometime.

I would love that! In fact the way I found this forum was from a fellow PCA member who volunteered to let me take pictures of his 73 911S so I could tell where all the bolts and bits go on my car. After sorting all of the parts from the five crates, I am left with five crates full of misc bolts and screws. Imagine taking your car apart and then throwing all the unlabeled bolts into a box and that's what I've got.

Ron, I am returning it back to the original color. I had debated the change but I want to put the car back as original as possible.

The car fortunately has been well taken care of. The only pieces I have found to be missing are the fuel door/hinge and the front windshield which I would assume was broken when removed from the car. I've tried to reach out to the original owner with questions on why some of the things were done but he doesn't respond.

I'm very excited to see this one come back to life.

[merbesfield]

Very cool. There are a few of us on this forum from Atlanta with cars in varying states of completeness. Would love to check out your project sometime.

Ditto, welcome. If you need to look at my 73 you are welcome, just let me know. I might recognize some of your parts as well since I have a few boxes of my own.

[edmayo]

The best way to deal with all that hardware is to have a parts manual nearby, each time you go to bolt something on you can get a description of the bolt dimension. Those sure look like oil cooler lines down the right rocker, if so that's a a real plus! Looks like the perfect candidate for a restore project, glad you're keeping it yellow! Hope you're also going to keep the sporto!

[70SATMan]

I am returning it back to the original color. I had debated the change but I want to put the car back as original as possible.


I'm very excited to see this one come back to life.

I think you've made the right decision. Light yellow is very classy on these early cars. From years ago one of the most memorable pics I have in my memory is a light yellow RS. Looks like a sweet project. Cheers!

[teenchy]

Subscribed. I went to undergrad in Athens, worked and went to grad school in Atlanta. Left some years ago but still have friends there. Someday would like to drive my T down and see them, or at the very least get to one of the ATL cars n' coffees.

I hope you'll reinstall the Sporto as well. I hope against hope one of these days enough of us will put these back on the roads that someone might make replacement parts for them!