An opportunity to purchase a nice 70T “RS clone” presented itself a few weeks ago. A mechanic that had previously worked on my ’68 and ’87 called me and said “I know of a car for sale that I think you would like, since you like the old stuff…..”The purchase price was VERY good, especially considering all the work put into the car. The mechanic was moving and did not have a garage, otherwise he was going to buy it from the collector.
The mechanic now works at a Prancing Horse indy shop and the owner was “moving out” some cars in his collection (70+) and this was one of them. He drove it 3 or 4 times after the resto and stuck it in the garage for the last 3 years………Paper records are sketchy (apparently the guy has too many cars to keep track of things – but I’m trying to get more info), but the car was treated to a fairly extensive restoration about 4 yrs. ago. Full engine rebuild with unstamped replacement (11/83) Carrera case to 2.7 spec/Webers, tranny rebuild, clutch, suspension, tires (196/65 + 215/60 P6000), lowered, glass out repaint (red……did I say it’s RED?!), RS spoiler and duck, welded in cage with bolt in side bars, Recaro Pole Positions, harnesses, interior mostly there. The mechanic said he could find no rust and I couldn’t either, but I realize there may be some hiding.
The car drives great, accelerates like I imagine a 2.7 would, shifts smoothly, and handles great. A little too low for my taste and the right rear rubs slightly with more spirited driving (on standard fenders with a little roll on shoehorned 215/60’s!). The engine is bone dry and no smoke. Leakdown was 97% for 4, and 90% for 2 of the cylinders. I’m hoping this will improve after some driving and a valve adjustment.
I plan on keeping making this a street legal, weekend fun, DE car and this should be a good platform. The car has regular tags and will pass inspection. It’s kind of a mix of a T and RS Touring with a RS lightweight front spoilerIn other words, there are several things I would correct on the car. The paint is just too damn nice to weld on a proper set of flares for an RS clone with decals. I could just put and S spoiler and normal rear lid to go back to a “T”, but I would really like to keep the duck for the higher speed circuits like The Glen. Ideally, I would also like to keep the rear roll bar and make the front part a bolt-in situation for track days.
I realize “It’s your car and do with it what you like…”, but that’s why we’re all here isn’t it? The purists will be happy that this will make me less likely to further my ‘68L/S-spec project into an R-clone….
Here are some pics. I know, the rain………but I had to get tags on Thursday.
I would appreciate and value everyone’s ideas and input.
Reply With Quote
