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Thread: Restore to Original USA or Euro Standards?

  1. #1

    Restore to Original USA or Euro Standards?

    I know that the general comment is, "Its your car, do what makes you happy." But, since this is my first Porsche, I am kind of wondering what the general view is: Do you go with the Euro approach or the approach as delivered in the US?

    Stock Steering wheel or period correct replacement (like a Prototipo?)

    Bumperettes, or "clean" looking front bumper?

    H4 lights with narrow chrome rims, or Sealed Beams with the wider US Chrome rims?

    As delivered height or lowered to the Euro Spec?

    I know that this is the age old question, but I am still agonizing (especially since I have another month to "worry" about this.)

    I know that there are many R-Gruppers out there, but are there people that want to return the car to its original status as delivered, or do most want to take it back to its "pure" German Euro roots?

    larry
    Early 911S Registry Member #537

    73 - Viper Green 911E Targa - Kermit - Gone but not forgotten

    Kermit's Short Story and Pix on the 911E Website

    06 - Lexus IS250 MT6
    98 - Volvo 70V XC

  2. #2
    Ditto on being totally original.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
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    Dallas, TX
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    372
    How about a non committal in between? Go Euro with the things that can easily be changed such as headlights and ride height and keep the things that are difficult to replace like the bumperettes.

    You aren't going to drive your car on early '70s spec tires, so why not take advantage the mods of the day and lower your car a bit, get better headlights that aren't crippled by stupid regulations?
    Neil
    '73 911S targa

  4. #4
    Larry,

    Its an E right? Its also a resto, not original (as I recall). Certainly if its an RS, NOS is the way to go. But, on the small, reversible, things you are asking about, put it the way you want. Mine is a '73S, matching #'s, but no history. Clean car, no accidents, etc... I'm putting it back to factory mostly, but with some updates, upgrades and minor personalized additions. If I ever needed or wanted to sell it, it wouldn't take much to put it back to stock (except for the higher compression pistons and twin plug heads - not that many people would reverse those anyway).

    There's also lots obvious stuff that everyone seems to upgrade (even some of the RS guys) like Carerra Tensioners. Those aren't 'as delivered in '73', but not many people (even hardcore guys) would argue that its a bad 'upgrade'. There's plenty of gray for you personalize the car the way you want w/out going too far (like cuting the body for flares, or sticking a 3.2L engine in the back, etc...). Not that there's anything wrong with those either, its just that they aren't easily reversable (if you wanted to).

    Again, its about what you want. Have fun w/it. Remember, sheep are boring.
    Chris Purpura @civilizedmisfit
    ___________
    Member #479
    Current Cars:
    1972 911T aka The "Civilized Misfit" Build
    See: https://www.excellence-mag.com/issue...vilized-misfit
    Miss February - EarlySRegistry 2023 Calendar
    1968 911S Ossi Blau/Beige Corduroy

    Past Cars:
    2019 911 Carrera GTS (sold, no regrets)
    73S - #1100 (restored and now somewhere in Europe)
    1997 993 Carrera 4S Black on Black (sold)

  5. #5
    Jared Rundell - Registered User JCR's Avatar
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    1,063
    Go euro, but keep all the US regulation crap to slap back on someday. You never know.
    Jared
    '73 911S #0793
    '69 912_ #0602
    Early S #0454
    RGruppe #0391

  6. #6

    RGruppe perspective

    The RGruppe perspective encompasses everything from mild to wild. As each car could be ordered with a lot of various options from the factory when new, these options (like gearing, seats, steering wheels, mirrors, interior colours and materials) can offer a modicum of personalization within an ex-factory feel that are bolt-on-bolt-off in most cases. It adds to the fun and specialness of the cars while remaining within the realm of originality.
    Cheers,
    Kevin
    RGruppe #004
    "Shoemaker stick to your last,"
    Ferry Porsche

  7. #7
    Time Bandit Jens's Avatar
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    I think it's kind of a time machine thing. Look ahead 10 years into the future and find which cars are the most desireable and the least desireable, then keep the good ones factory original and modify the others to your liking.

    Seriously, they are all becoming more and more valuable every year. Some more than others, but still up and up in value. It won't be long now that the cottage industry fiberglass 911 repros from England and elsewhere become more popular as the Early 911s get beyond the reach of the increasing number of enthusiasts (California widebody 356s??). Soon enough we'll start seeing the hot VW powered purple metalflake bad copies running around scaring us all!

    Beautifully restored (to original) humble 911Ts are starting to bring good money. Modify and upgrade the mechanicals to your liking but keep the parts, you may find it good for your wallet someday to return it to stock.

    Jens

    "Do it for the children"

    Zitronengelb R1012 the RatBasterd
    RGruppe #183

  8. #8
    It's your car, do what you will with it. "The dirt nap cometh" for us all and nobody gets out alive. I don't espouse cutting them into race cars but tasteful work always gets a thumbs up.
    Options, wheels, handling packages and engine work are what these cars have been about since the beginning. A metamorphosis is what the 911 has been since it was first drawn on a piece of paper. Individuality is a wonderful thing.
    Bad taste on the other hand is a sin. Don't look for me in Porsche Hell.

    Best to all,

    Tom
    Early S Registry #235
    rgruppe #111

  9. #9
    Originally posted by GeorgeK
    A side note about Carrera tensionners on early cars: They were not needed, and probably are not needed.
    The reason tensionners had problems is the cams. On early engines where the cams overlap a lot, the chain is always under even tension. When the CIS came, there was no overlap in the valve timing, resulting on uneven tension on the chains. This is what breaks tensionners.
    YMMV, but that is a conclusion that comes from 30 years of experience with these engines (not my experience).
    That's very interesting insight, George... Anyone have any thoughts on it?

    Sprint.

  10. #10

    Euro Approach?

    "But, since this is my first Porsche, I am kind of wondering what the general view is: Do you go with the Euro approach or the approach as delivered in the US?"

    Larry,
    What exactly is the Euro approach you are refering to? I believe that the only differences between a 73E Euro 911 and a 73E US 911 when leaving the factory was the big rubber bumperettes and the gauges. (i.e. speedometer in kph - not mph, oil temp gauge in C - not Fahrenheit, oil gauge in litres - not quarts). Everything else would have been the buyer's option to purchase. Do you have the original window sticker for the car you are planning to buy listing the options?
    BTW, you approached me a few days ago with a PM on Pelican Parts offering $100 for my A/C underdash vents. A/C would not have been a factory installed option on your car in Europe. I understand tha a/c was a dealer installed option that was put on after the car after the dealer took delivery in the US.

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