A short introduction and a question 2.2s related

[Robbe]

Hi all,
just a short introduction on this great forum.
I have been Porsche-interested since the mid-nineties, which in the end resulted in the purchase of an old 911 in 1997. I had had a 924 before, but that is not quite the same, is it...
Now about that old 911, it was converted to rsr wide with like 5 different color coats on top of each other, and I thought it would be a great project to bring back to originality.
It turned out to be a matching nrs 1970 2.2S model, even if it did not look like that at that time with modernmaterial on it.
I visited specialists, parts sellers, autojumble's etc to gather all missing parts, like the long hood, the fenders, the lights and the bumpers.
Still young and enthousistic, I started working. Often 10 hours a week, replacing rusted material with fresh, fitting new sills, etc.
But than, as often happens, other things took priority and I did not have time for the project.
I left it in the condition as pictured below.

But like three years back, I refound interest in my hobby, and started working again, but at the rate of a few hours a week. Bought all original parts to do it as it should, with new tank support, front dividing wall, chassis rails, deep 6 fuchs, etc.
Fortunately the car was only altered body-wise, and still has the original 1970 recaro's and even the (incomplete) toolkit. And as a spare it had a 4.5 "fuchs wheel...
So the base was very good, only the front was altered to receive the plastic rsr fenders/bumper setup. When the body is all done, it is only the engine to check. It was running a few years ago, even if I suspect a broken pistonspring/oilscraper, and the engine was "hunting".

With the recent heavy rise in value, I am not sure what to do. To do really justice to the car, it should receive a professional restoration of 100.000 to be worth a top price. Labour of love (even decent quality, I have a lot of welding experience) is not appreciated enough.
So what to do? Sell it on, after 1000 hours "invested"? The car is now 100% complete, so could fetch 25k. Or less? Or more?
Or invest in a well-known shop name to have the paperwork with the car to back up the restoration?
Or just keep on restoring for the next 5 years?
I like the car, of course, but recently bought a 930 3.0 for driving, so I am already experiencing the 911 ride...
Thanks for your time,
Robbe
The Netherlands


Here's the pic from some years back, I promise to shoot more recent material soon. The black is a protective coat, and the yellow is a primer, even if it looks terrible in the pic...

[NorthernThrux]

Well, if you keep doing the work yourself, you will get the best return for your investment. Your labour is "free". Or what we call "sweat equity" on this side of the Atlantic. Even if it took you 5 more years, I doubt the market will collapse in that time. But I find the investment in time and effort is only worth it if you are keeping the car yourself. I built my own motorcycle and have turned down significant offers, because I built it for the satisfaction of doing it myself. I put about 2000 hours into that bike, and I ride it every day there is no snow or salt on the roads (April-Dec).

On the other hand, it is true that if you get it done by a very reputable shop, there is a certain premium that buyers will pay for that. It will cost you more, since they need to make a living, but you may also get more in the sale. If you plan on selling it, this may be the faster, easier way to go.

It looks like it needs blasting or dipping and then paint and assembly. You don't say what the status of the engine is. That will determine whether it gets bought as an original car or something that someone will then hot rod.

So the answer is....it depends. What do you want for the car and yourself ? Having built the bike and seen how long that took, and seeing how long it has taken me just to do the seats and interior panels/carpet/radio of my car, I'm happy that a professional is handling the engine and body. Yes I can do it, but it would take me 5 years or more to do the car right. I could be driving it for 4 of those years if someone who knows what they are doing builds it perfectly. So that's the route I took. Yes it will a few tens of thousands of dollars in labour, but I'd like to think that a car built by Robert Gross also fetches a premium for the day that I actually sell it. In the intervening 20 years, I'll drive and maintain it myself and that's enough for me. I've got a day job that keeps me pretty busy and research funding is getting more scarce by the day.


Ravi

[raspy2point2]

I would let the Pro's finish it. What happens if you lose interest in the project again? A 1970 2.2 911S will always be a high value car. Chris

[Robbe]

Haha, just what I thought, the different possibilities all have their pro's and contra's! I am still considering all options myself, and in the mean time I have fun working on it.
The body is now free of rust, and should be ready for paint after say 25 hours of work. So maybe 3 months or so. Sounds reasonable enough for me to complete that.

The engine needs work, as it was smoking. But it is the original one, and hot rodding it would be a shame, especially since I put much effort in finding all original parts.
10 years ago, front indicator light sets were very hard to find, for example.

Thanks anyway for your thoughts on this.

[Robbe]

As promised, a few more pics of the work I did recently.
The complete front has been replaced now, with side chassis members and all. (yes, the tank does fit )
As I am now working on the tank support, I am almost done with welding, and it is time to apply some layers of protection.
Most of it is in the POR-15, but that of course will not be the final preparation.

The question I have is, what was the factory spec for the trunk? Was it body color? I know that it all was coated in Wurth body pvc, so I have located an old unused can of the stuff.
But should it be body colored after that, or black? And the strut towers, black or not?
Does anybody have a detailed trunk pic of a 1970 S euro version?
What color should the gas tank be? light grey I guess, but painted or bare body pvc?
A pic would also be great.
thanks.

[LongRanger]

. . . The question I have is, what was the factory spec for the trunk? . . . Does anybody have a detailed trunk pic of a 1970 S euro version? . . .

Here's some shots from my car --- a '70 Euro. I can't vouch for the spare tire well . . . but the rest appears untouched

HtH

[Robbe]

Thanks!
So it seems that on a 1970 euro, the chassis should be black, and presumably the tank as well.
I assumed that all was painted black later on in its life in my car, but it is original I guess.

Hmmm, I like the look of the body color better, but I want it to be factory spec, that's something to think about.
Anyway, thank very much for your pics, and it is a rare thing to see an untouched original front!
best,
Robbe

[Cornpanzer]

The black in the front floor of Longrangers car is not original. Here is a good reference for you from a 700 mile original S (US or Euro makes no difference)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8072442...7630169538658/

[Robbe]

Thanks, so when I leave it body color, it is factory spec. Good to know.
Great car by the way, that 700 mile specimen. A museum piece.

[72targa]

If it were mine and I had put that much time and effort into it, I would keep it and finish it. Blood, sweat & tears always trumps money in my book. Keep us posted!