The Sunburnt Lobster a 1976 Porsche 911S
Discussion
A few weeks after my £100k garage: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...
I was idling away another Sunday evening day-dreaming about owning a classic 911 flicking through websites looking at cars I couldn't afford when a likely looking candidate appeared. The ad was on the last page of Pelican Parts and the title was not exactly grabbing '1976 Porsche 911' however I had already searched through the previous five pages so had nothing to lose.
I was rather surprised to see a patina (shabby!) looking 911 coupe wearing it's original faded silver paint and resplendent 'lobster' red tweed. It was pretty much my day-dream 'perfect' car down to the black minilite alloys.
Even more perfect was the $23k asking price. A quick email confirmed it was still for sale and was indeed a 2.7 S with a bespoke BITZ / Megasquirt EFI, rebuilt 915 box, new brakes, suspension and the rust was limited to what I could see (corner of windshield and few spots on the wing) it had spent 40 yrs of it's life in a dry state.
I showed the wife, she laughed and reminded me I had a lovely C2 996, no money and the previous time I imported a classic american car wasn't exactly a dream (it got held up in Panama and I was impossible to live with!) So I did the manly thing, went to work and sent her an email detailing why I needed this classic 911!! An hour later she phoned me up and said 'ok'...
That evening I video-called the vendor who showed me around the car, the title and after about an hour of conversation I tried to bid him. The second time someone had laughed at me that day! For the first time in my life I agreed to pay the full asking price subject to an inspection.
True to his word the floor pan was solid and still had factory underseal, the oily bits had more oil inside instead of outside and the red interior glowed.
The only issue now was not having $23k to hand. In the space of a few days I sold the 996 a motorbike and using eBay and marketplace completely emptied my garage of almost everything of any value! It was going to be very close but I had just enough for the car and shipping deposit!
The car is currently being loaded into a container and should be with me by September, a more perfect birthday present I couldn't think of.
I have no intention of ever painting her, I love the 'survivor' look and have a big tin of Renaissance wax to preserve it.
This is without doubt the craziest thing I have ever done however very liberating, what is done is done and I will finally own my classic 911.
I will update the thread with progress, it will be worth it just to see what I end up with...
I was idling away another Sunday evening day-dreaming about owning a classic 911 flicking through websites looking at cars I couldn't afford when a likely looking candidate appeared. The ad was on the last page of Pelican Parts and the title was not exactly grabbing '1976 Porsche 911' however I had already searched through the previous five pages so had nothing to lose.
I was rather surprised to see a patina (shabby!) looking 911 coupe wearing it's original faded silver paint and resplendent 'lobster' red tweed. It was pretty much my day-dream 'perfect' car down to the black minilite alloys.
Even more perfect was the $23k asking price. A quick email confirmed it was still for sale and was indeed a 2.7 S with a bespoke BITZ / Megasquirt EFI, rebuilt 915 box, new brakes, suspension and the rust was limited to what I could see (corner of windshield and few spots on the wing) it had spent 40 yrs of it's life in a dry state.
I showed the wife, she laughed and reminded me I had a lovely C2 996, no money and the previous time I imported a classic american car wasn't exactly a dream (it got held up in Panama and I was impossible to live with!) So I did the manly thing, went to work and sent her an email detailing why I needed this classic 911!! An hour later she phoned me up and said 'ok'...
That evening I video-called the vendor who showed me around the car, the title and after about an hour of conversation I tried to bid him. The second time someone had laughed at me that day! For the first time in my life I agreed to pay the full asking price subject to an inspection.
True to his word the floor pan was solid and still had factory underseal, the oily bits had more oil inside instead of outside and the red interior glowed.
The only issue now was not having $23k to hand. In the space of a few days I sold the 996 a motorbike and using eBay and marketplace completely emptied my garage of almost everything of any value! It was going to be very close but I had just enough for the car and shipping deposit!
The car is currently being loaded into a container and should be with me by September, a more perfect birthday present I couldn't think of.
I have no intention of ever painting her, I love the 'survivor' look and have a big tin of Renaissance wax to preserve it.
This is without doubt the craziest thing I have ever done however very liberating, what is done is done and I will finally own my classic 911.
I will update the thread with progress, it will be worth it just to see what I end up with...
Edited by roca1976 on Saturday 24th October 08:33
It was bought by a guy who tinkers with classic cars and races National Sprint championship so seems to know his away around the oily bits. The EFI replaced the original gunked up Kjet system and is fully reversible. It should free up a few ponies and a lot easier to keep in tune.
A kardex report confirm the factory spec:
Color: 936 (Z2) Silver Metallic
Interior Trim: 22 seat backs Leatherette Lobster, Interior panels & Seat inlay & bolster & headrest
Lobster Tweed, Carpet Lobster
Distributor: UY = Import Motors Ltd Inc., Porsche Audi Division, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Country Equipment: C02 Equipment for USA except California
Tire Manufacturer: Dunlop
Options:
M197 Stronger battery
M392 full matching cloth interior in Tweed
M418 Alum trim strip around wheel arches
M497 Stronger starter 1.5 PS
M565 Sports steering wheel 380 mm
M566 Rectangular front fog lights white
The fogs have been removed but fixings can still be seen. As far as I can see the rest is present and correct.
I am super pleased it was never specced with a s/roof.
Pretty much my perfect spec and colour combo.
A kardex report confirm the factory spec:
Color: 936 (Z2) Silver Metallic
Interior Trim: 22 seat backs Leatherette Lobster, Interior panels & Seat inlay & bolster & headrest
Lobster Tweed, Carpet Lobster
Distributor: UY = Import Motors Ltd Inc., Porsche Audi Division, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Country Equipment: C02 Equipment for USA except California
Tire Manufacturer: Dunlop
Options:
M197 Stronger battery
M392 full matching cloth interior in Tweed
M418 Alum trim strip around wheel arches
M497 Stronger starter 1.5 PS
M565 Sports steering wheel 380 mm
M566 Rectangular front fog lights white
The fogs have been removed but fixings can still be seen. As far as I can see the rest is present and correct.
I am super pleased it was never specced with a s/roof.
Pretty much my perfect spec and colour combo.
roca1976 said:
The only issue now was not having $23k to hand. In the space of a few days I sold the 996 a motorbike and using eBay and marketplace completely emptied my garage of almost everything of any value! It was going to be very close but I had just enough for the car and shipping deposit!
The car is currently being loaded into a container and should be with me by September, a more perfect birthday present I couldn't think of.
I have no intention of ever painting her, I love the 'survivor' look and have a big tin of Renaissance wax to preserve it.
This is without doubt the craziest thing I have ever done however very liberating, what is done is done and I will finally own my classic 911.
i've come close to making similarly risky 'dream' purchases and have always flaked last minute. hence i like this attitude very much. happy birthday!The car is currently being loaded into a container and should be with me by September, a more perfect birthday present I couldn't think of.
I have no intention of ever painting her, I love the 'survivor' look and have a big tin of Renaissance wax to preserve it.
This is without doubt the craziest thing I have ever done however very liberating, what is done is done and I will finally own my classic 911.
Being a private sale advertised on pelican parts it was relatively high risk, my method of derisking it was to use Google maps and look for a garage in Hudson to inspect and store it for me. 10 days storage and inspection was about $180 which was a small price to pay to get it locked up and neatly covered the issue of insurance (once the bill of sale was produced it was my responsibility and not covered by transporter or shipping agent until collected)
There were a few surprises when it arrived, some good like the modified 915 shifter so it had a reverse lockout and spring to centre it and some less good, more of those later!
There were a few surprises when it arrived, some good like the modified 915 shifter so it had a reverse lockout and spring to centre it and some less good, more of those later!
The delay due to COVID in the DVLA processing the forms and arranging for the inspection gave me plenty of time to tinker with the ole lobster! I discovered the brake master cylinder was leaking badly so that has been replaced and as a consequence I needed to rebuild the pedal cluster and clean up the footwell.
Various bits of rubber trim (front smile, bumper bellows, sill trim) have also been replaced to limit the shabby patina to the paint work. The interior cleaned up really well, no rips, tears or burns to the fabric so looks and smells very presentable.
Various bits of rubber trim (front smile, bumper bellows, sill trim) have also been replaced to limit the shabby patina to the paint work. The interior cleaned up really well, no rips, tears or burns to the fabric so looks and smells very presentable.
Nice buy !!
I’ve had 3 x impact bumper 911s. The first was a Lovely LHD October 79 built 80 model 911 SC, in the ultra scarce black metalic with black leather. Supplied mew to California and shipped to East London, when its owner moved here with his job, in circa 2002. Sadly some yobs, broke into it, draped the boot carpet over the front wings and set light to it. Ins co wrote it off and I bought it in 03. Repaired it, loved every drive in it, but stupidly sold it in about April 04, for just £6,000 !!
SGK 608V, where were you exported to ?
Few tips to improve your car.
Fit a new shifter coupling, replace the bush at the bottom of the gear lever and grease it up well. Fit a decent / heavier gear knob ( I used a lovely Momo ) in place of the awful plastic thing and change the gear box oil for Fuchs Titan. These transformed the gear change.
Fit Bilstein Yellow Sport shocks and get the rear ride hight etc, re set. They sag over time.
Turbo steering arms transform the steering and are ££ cheap.
A chin spoiler is essential, they get Very light / floaty @ speed, without one.
Heavy after market alloys, ruin the cars steering / feel and ride ( Ask me just how I know ! )
A K + N air filter, is also worth fitting, definitely liberated a few HP on all 3 of mine.
I’ve had 3 x impact bumper 911s. The first was a Lovely LHD October 79 built 80 model 911 SC, in the ultra scarce black metalic with black leather. Supplied mew to California and shipped to East London, when its owner moved here with his job, in circa 2002. Sadly some yobs, broke into it, draped the boot carpet over the front wings and set light to it. Ins co wrote it off and I bought it in 03. Repaired it, loved every drive in it, but stupidly sold it in about April 04, for just £6,000 !!
SGK 608V, where were you exported to ?
Few tips to improve your car.
Fit a new shifter coupling, replace the bush at the bottom of the gear lever and grease it up well. Fit a decent / heavier gear knob ( I used a lovely Momo ) in place of the awful plastic thing and change the gear box oil for Fuchs Titan. These transformed the gear change.
Fit Bilstein Yellow Sport shocks and get the rear ride hight etc, re set. They sag over time.
Turbo steering arms transform the steering and are ££ cheap.
A chin spoiler is essential, they get Very light / floaty @ speed, without one.
Heavy after market alloys, ruin the cars steering / feel and ride ( Ask me just how I know ! )
A K + N air filter, is also worth fitting, definitely liberated a few HP on all 3 of mine.
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