Introducing "Brownie" - an adventure of restoring a 72 Coupe
I have really appreciated everyone's guidance and help over the years on this forum (and the "bird") so I thought I would try and pay it back by creating a chronicle of repairs/improvements/tricks on my new restoration project, a two owner original unmodified and neglected 1972T Coupe in Sepia Brown (or as my 4 year old daughter calls it the "brownie" and we call it something else).
Over the last 6 or so years I have transitioned from my original Porsche purchase (1971 S Targa) to a 1970 Vintage Race Car turned R Gruppe to a 1985 One Owner Carrera to a 1992 Carrera 2 and some fix and flips in between. Clearly I can't make up my mind on what Porsche I want to keep! After attending the Rennsport Reunion last year car less and seeing all of the early long hoods I decided once again to go down that path so I decided to start looking for a nice long hood. Well as all of us know, the prices have absolutely sky rocketed and it seemed for the quality I was looking for it would be out of reach financially so I decided against my wife's valid concern (and yes still paying the price) and started looking for a driver/cosmetic restoration project. All I had to do was look in my backyard, well actually 5 miles from my house!
The coupe had been a local car for the last 20 years and was bought by a fellow Denver restoration expert 10 years ago. He drove the car until one day while driving on a nice Sunday afternoon he noticed some parts bouncing off of the pavement in front of the car and then a sudden bang and drop in the front, yep the front tank support was rusted so badly that the a-arm mounts had collapsed and parts just fell off. The owner didn't feel like having a lowrider so he just parked it in the back of his shop. The car had spent some time outside...back inside, then partially dismantled...engine and tranny taken out and pickled and finally back outside under a tarp. I originally noticed the car five years ago while sourcing parts for my 71S Targa. The owner was adamant that he would restore the car some day and would never sell. Well last fall/winter I was on the hunt once again for an early car and was reminded of the 72 under the tarp. I made a call and met the owner and worked a deal where we agreed on a price and that he would complete the necessary bodywork and paint. The Porsche god was shining brightly that day!
The original plan was too complete a nice driver level restoration with a strict budget in place, however, over the last 8 months that has gone to crap and now has turned into an almost concourse restoration (you know how it goes...well since I am in there) with a few updates/changes. I will attempt to complete all the work necessary except for the paint and body, although I will help as much as I can.
And finally let the adventure begin!
Once the car was rolled into the shop (actually pulled in with a chain and good ole John Deere tractor), I had the opportunity to look the car and damage over more closely. The running gear is in excellent condition and the engine has been rebuilt in the past. However, it has been taken down to a longblock - maybe an opportunity to add 2.2S pistons and cams???? Although we have a dry climate here in Colorado we still face the rust bug; a new front suspension pan will be needed and few other minor areas that will need repair - rockers, longitudinals, torsion tubes and other important areas are bone dry! Interior is complete but totally toasted from the sun - will need a complete redo. All in all an excellent uncut 72 that will definitely be a keeper.
So now comes the scary part - actually starting the process of restoration. How much rust is really there, how much stuff is really missing, what can I compromise on and what can I splurge on and finally can I really keep my budget....stay tuned as we walk thru the process.
NOTE - IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS SINCE I HAVE STARTED THE RESTO, SO I HAVE SOME CATCHING UP TO DO WITH THE POSTS...here is the beginning of the long journey.
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