Introduction to 302397

[merbesfield]

I wanted to introduce my new project. Bought from the estate of the second owner. He owned it from 1975 to 2013. According to the family, this was the PO's pride and joy. You can tell he took very good car of the car and lavished lots of money and time on her. It need some basic TLC as it has sat over the recent years as the PO battled with cancer. Unfortunately, he eventually lost the battle. I think it must have lived much of its life indoors. The condition is too good. This is what I would call one of the "original hot rods". The PO owned a body shop and had the ability to do what he wanted. The original color is Irish Green, but I guess he liked Black so he changed it. He put baby flairs on all four corners, installed an original factory sunroof and a Ducktail spoiler on the rear. He was friends w Pistol Pete Maravich, who gave him the Ducktail as a gift. The sunroof was clippped from an early car and was done perfectly and looks like a factory install piece with all the factory details. Interior sports period Recaros and a Personal steering wheel with lovely patina. He also had the nos. matching original motor rebuilt by Franz Blam and installed Weber carbs. Adjustable rear spring plates, uprated torsion bars, 7" Mahle/BBS whhels etc. All this work was done in the late 70's. Pretty ballsie for the times. Fortunately it did no suffer the ills of late model bumper conversions or slope nose kits. The original deck lid and "aluminum" wood rimmed steering wheel accompanied the sale. I am in the process of replacing the front pan as it had some minor corrosion and I want to be sure the car gets the love it deserves. The floors a nearly perfect. I can tell that the paint work done was to a high level. Underneath the paint is multiple layers of primer and shinny silver metal. The only corrosion is in the typical suspension pan battery location, a simple repair. I am planning on removing the Ducktail and reinstalling the original deck lid. I also have a set of 7" Fuchs that will replace the BBS wheels. Other than that the car will stay as it is. Future project might include conversion back to Solex's depending on how well the Wbers run. If you have any ideas or comments fire away. This will not be a 100% concours resto,this is a high end driver. I prefer cars with Patina that are period correct and can be driven with gusto. I do not like to have to worry too much about my cars and if I make it perfect I will take the fun out of driving them. I can be as OCD as the next so I have to watch myself or I will get sucked in.

VIN: 302397
Engine number: 902482
Trans number: 222923
Ext. color: Irish Green/6606
Int. color: Black Leatherette
Production date: 09/16/1965

[merbesfield]

I immediately removed the late model rockers and fog lights as well as the Italian mirror. I am in the process of looking for a period correct mirror or two for right and left, even though I know the right is useless. I am thinking Baby Talbots or repos of that style. I have also ordered a Facet fuel pump w correct fittings from Ed Mayo. The current pump is a Hardie brand. I will of course go thrush the brake system and convert it to a two zone system. One of the questions is what is the year of this car. I realize it was built in 65, but need to confirm cutoff date whether this is a 65 or 66 car.

[merbesfield]

I need the wood dash center section due to late model radio install. If anyone one they would like to sell at a reasonable rate pls let me know.

[Bill Simmeth]

One of the questions is what is the year of this car. I realize it was built in 65, but need tiles., but need to confirm cutoff date whether this is a 65 or 66 car.

I've got 302316 and it's a 66 model (tho it's titled as a 65 since it was originally a Euro car). You've got the 66 style ignition bezel so I pretty sure yours is 66, too. What's the paint code?

Looks like a great project, have fun!

[1970rsr]

Great car... I have 302346. And just got the coa from porsche. Built 9/21/65. Porsche calls it a 1965 model. 4 hole grills. Fixed shock towers. So....the saga continues...a 65...or a 66...

[davep]

I would say all of these are 1966 models, and I'm sure they all have 66xx paint codes, the kneepads that turn up the ends of the dash, and the larger ignition bezels. I would appreciate photos of the paint badges and scans of the COA's from anyone that has them please. I am starting to get a good amount of data on these cars near the 1965 1966 transition. If you can provide more details, please PM.

[72targa]

You guys should start doing what the early Mustang owners did and call them "65 and a half"!

[Bill Simmeth]

You guys should start doing what the early Mustang owners did and call them "65 and a half"!

I like it!

[merbesfield]

Hey guys. I realize there is tons of info and discussion on another thread so I was not wanting to make this a debate about years and cut offs, at least not hear. It really is not that critical. My COA says it is a 66, though we all know how wrong these can be. My COA appears to be mostly correct, though missing some items such as driving lights. I see wires and a switch that looks factory so I would guess my car came with DL. My paint code does contain a 66xx. It is 6606, Irish Green. Dave, I appreciate your keeping the data, but I think that the info should be made public. I would be more willing to contribute info that I knew would help all owners vs. holding the info private. If someone does not want their info made public, don't supply it to you. Just that simple. My engine no. is 902482, Trans. no. 222923. Production date, 09/16/1965

As for 65-66 details. This car has 4 screw horn grills, and fixed shock towers. Large ignition bezel. So it looks pretty clear, as previously stated, that Porsche had a mixed bag during the cutoff years.

Also to restate from my previous post, does anyone have a center wood section they can sell?

[davep]

Thanks Mark. Can you tell me what the COA says about the interior please.
I agree about a database. Something like the 912VIN.com site would be best, but I think it should be part of this site and a Wiki section as well.