$1K 68 Sportomatic

[Carl S.]

I pulled the wheel and striped it for new lacquer. it is amazingly clean. not a single crack. I am waiting on my special order Lacquer paint. I'll post pics when I return to school.

[tcsracing1]

Thank you so much for the welcomes. I plan on performing most of the work myself. I have dealt with rust with building Jeep CJ7 rock crawlers. I plan it taking 3-4 years to build and as stated just chip away at it. Besides the rust that is visible, it will need suspension pan, floors, rear seats, pass side rockers, door sill patch. The metal is thin due to the original rubber floor mats keeping in the moisture and rusting from the inside out.
I'm used to rust so that's not a big deal due to dealing with the older Jeeps. I can weld, fabricate, paint etc. so should be able to save $$$ there. I have a friend who teaches auto body and agreed to take on the doors, trunk lid, fenders. Might need to replace pass fender and rear lid.

It is all original except for rims and it was resprayed. Original color is Ossi Blue. I will be returning it to the original color.

Engine has 51000 with a awesome leak down test performed in 1977. 400 miles since test.
8% 6% 4% 4% 2% 4%

The plan is to drop the engine, strip the chassis, build a rotisserie, and start rust removal.

Will keep it Sportomatic.

restoration design have great replacement panels and this forum has great classifieds for stuff.
If the sporto gives you issues, you can always box it up and install a manual box.

I have a 1972 sporto and it is really interesting to drive. Excellent around the city in traffic!

[skl]

Good luck with the restoration. My "first" 911 was a rust-bucket '70T targa sportmatic I bought from a colleague at work back in the '80's. Couldn't believe how well it ran considering it looked like it was going to fold in half! (Think I even paid about what you did at the time.) Got a good replacement engine for my 914-6 and sold off all the special sportmatic parts.

Should be an interesting project!

[Carl S.]

I was able to compare Stoddard and Restoration Design parts at the Hershey Porsche swap meet in PA. I'm going with Resto. Their parts just looked a little tighter.

We just moved and my garage is not set up at all. Only has 3 120 outlets that are connected to my dining room. Need to add a ton of electric. I have 2 houses to finish then i'm free to dig into the 911.

Hopefully my engine is fine. I will most likely pay someone to go through it as I want to make sure it is in good condition.

Thanks for the support.

[mfitton]

Congrats on a great find, not talking about the car of course! My wife would have screwed up this deal.

Plenty of knowledge on this site to help you, hope your are not the sensitive type.

[Frank Beck]

Congrats on a great find, not talking about the car of course! My wife would have screwed up this deal.

Plenty of knowledge on this site to help you, hope your are not the sensitive type.

Ha!

My wife would have said “You want how much? But isn’t it a Sporto?”

[Carl S.]

The deal took a loooong 2 months. By the time it actually happened we were beginning to think there was no way it was going to take place.

Yes, it's a Sporto, Not sure that's a good thing as I really enjoy driving my MBG - has a clutch. But I'm very thankful and appreciate what we lucked into.

Stripped the steering wheel this week. Now waiting on some lacquer.

[Bullethead]

Ignore Frank... Sportos are cool no matter what he says. Seriously, once you've gotten to that aspect of the restoration, plenty of us will be happy to walk you through the unusual bits.They're less complicated than the myth.

A properly set up Sportomatic is a lot of fun. Besides, your MGB will exercise yer left foot, you'll find clutchless shifting to be a unique driving experience.

[Frank Beck]

Ignore Frank... Sportos are cool no matter what he says. Seriously, once you've gotten to that aspect of the restoration, plenty of us will be happy to walk you through the unusual bits.They're less complicated than the myth.

A properly set up Sportomatic is a lot of fun. Besides, your MGB will exercise yer left foot, you'll find clutchless shifting to be a unique driving experience.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pjJJnz2_85w

[StephenAcworth]

Hi and welcome; awesome find! What did you strip the wheel with? Did the black stripe get damaged at all? What lacquer are you going to use?
Look forward to following your journey!
Best
Stephen