So, my 67S project is now at Freddie's for paint and bodywork and what do I go and do? Start another project of course! I've got it bad guys....I really need help! No, seriously...I need help. Are you guys busy? Haha....just kidding, sort of.
I found the donor car on craigslist a few weeks ago. The title read "1970 911 Targa Turbo"....yeah that's what I said. No such thing right? Of course I had to call and when the guy told me the VIN and sent a pic of the engine I couldn't get over there fast enough! Turns out the car has a very rare (one of 284) 1975 Euro 930 engine. And get this, the chassis is in fact a 1970 Targa......S! Sold! I was really after the Turbo engine more than the chassis so I will pull the engine and 930 trans and then sell the roller to someone that will most likely restore it back to original. Anyone interested in a rust free 1970 911S with a clean title?
So then the search was on for a pre 76 non sunroof coupe. I went back and forth on building an early hotrod turbo car or a short hood 74-75 930 style car, both of which would not need to be smogged here in CA. While I really prefer the early cars, I decided I didn't want to deal with rust issues/paint on yet another car. I could get a much cleaner 74-75 within my budget and the engine swap would be a bit easier. I found this red 1974 911S that already had 930 flares and bumpers. It also had a fresh, bare metal respray and a new leather interior. The car was a bit over my budget but it came with BBS 3 piece wheels, an engine (not yet re-installed) and a 915 trans that I could sell to offset the cost. I picked it up in southern CA last weekend and was able to sell the engine while I was down there.
Here's where the story takes a turn. The car looked great and I was very impressed with the paint job but I soon realized there was a potentially major problem. When I was unloading the car from the trailer I noticed the front wheels looked like they were not centered in the wheel well...WTF? I figured it was just the angle or maybe because the front valance was not installed it just "looked" off center. I convinced myself I was seeing things....this lasted about 5 minutes until my buddy came over to help. So what does he say as soon as he first lays eyes on my shiny new car?..."Dude, why are the front wheels not centered?" Shoot (not really what I said)...maybe there is a problem? My first thought was that this thing has been hit bad and the front end is screwed. We had a good look under the car and there is absolutely no damage . Next thought....maybe some jack ass welded the flares too far forward? That didn't make sense though because the bolt-on rocker panels fit perfectly. Hmm...maybe we're both seeing things?
Yesterday I found some time to take measurements against the black donor car. Turns out the flares are mounted 1" forward of where they should be! Next, I ran my fingers under the bolt-on rocker panels and sure enough I found a 1" section welded in to extend it! Can you believe that? What kind of idiot would do that? It's such a shame too because the paint and bodywork is so nice. The guy that painted the car did not do the flares so he had no idea.
Ok, so now I'm looking at some paint and body work...great, just what I did not want to do. I'm the type of person who always tries to put a positive spin on things so I soon realized what to do. First positive- I already have perfect 930 fenders on the black car so no need to mess with cutting and welding the "botched" fenders. Here's where it get's good....hmm I already need to paint the fenders.....BACKDATE!!! I know, crazy right? But the decision has been made. Turn Lemons into Lemonade. I really wanted an early car anyways. So I have sourced some fender extensions already and I'm trading some stuff for a backdate hood that bolts to the '74 front bulkhead. I really have to pinch my pennies here and find some good deals on stuff to make this happen. I have a used front bumper on the way and just need to find an RSR rear bumper.
The style of this car will be a bit different I think. I'm not interested in building an RSR clone. I prefer the clean lines of the earlier cars so there will be no front lip spoiler or oil cooler opening and no duck tail or whale tail etc. Think wide body ST....Turbo! Hope you guys like it. Since my S will not be ready for Treffen, my goal is to have this car ready. It's going to be a ton of work but I think I can pull it off???
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Originally Posted by Chuck Miller
