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.
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.
quick project update...
Early this year a small puff of blue smoke became a larger puff of smoke which was followed by a loss of power and a cylinder dropping out.
Compression test showed cylinder 1 was well down.
Engine drop to take a closer look
Worst fear confirmed, piston 1 rings mashed and skirt broken off.
Any thoughts of dropping in a new piston and cylinder soon forgotten when worms of black silicon sealant had blocked a piston squirter and camshaft oiler.
The engine had been apart in the past, nasty rattle can black paint had saved the cases from any corrosion, they are absolutely mint which was pleasant surprise
Early this year a small puff of blue smoke became a larger puff of smoke which was followed by a loss of power and a cylinder dropping out.
Compression test showed cylinder 1 was well down.
Engine drop to take a closer look
Worst fear confirmed, piston 1 rings mashed and skirt broken off.
Any thoughts of dropping in a new piston and cylinder soon forgotten when worms of black silicon sealant had blocked a piston squirter and camshaft oiler.
The engine had been apart in the past, nasty rattle can black paint had saved the cases from any corrosion, they are absolutely mint which was pleasant surprise
Unfortunately not a planned rebuild so limited by funds!
I scored a set of NOS Mahle Nikasil piston and cylinders (CIS spec) so will keep it CIS spec - I liked how it drove before, it has a Megasquirt EFI so is probably a few bhp up on the old CIS powered cars.
I sent the MS1 away to be updated to MS2 and now has LS2 COP plugs and trigger wheel so no more dizzy and MSD ignitor.
I scored a set of NOS Mahle Nikasil piston and cylinders (CIS spec) so will keep it CIS spec - I liked how it drove before, it has a Megasquirt EFI so is probably a few bhp up on the old CIS powered cars.
I sent the MS1 away to be updated to MS2 and now has LS2 COP plugs and trigger wheel so no more dizzy and MSD ignitor.
Once top end is torn down, the bottom end is relatively quick.
Everything has been cleaned and all plugs will be removed and cleaned to ensure no future debris can cause damage. The engine is a lovely piece of engineering but takes its time to build up to ensure everything is shimmed, level, etc. Fortunately a grown-up has been helping me...
Everything has been cleaned and all plugs will be removed and cleaned to ensure no future debris can cause damage. The engine is a lovely piece of engineering but takes its time to build up to ensure everything is shimmed, level, etc. Fortunately a grown-up has been helping me...
Well after various drama, the crank nipping up when dry built so cases need machining and pinning the bottom end is now buttoned up. My man has rebuilt the heads so once barrel heights have been adjusted it should be relatively straightforward.
Thanks to Peter for lending me the cam tool.
I collected the engine before the weekend and built up the ancillaries. I am waiting on a replacement oil cooler (the old one still had debris in it - not worth risking the engine)
I have now found a really local tuner who is able to get it on a rolling road and map the Megasquirt, unfortunately there is a waiting list so likely to miss Boxengasse / Megaphonics however hoping it's first outing will be Classic's At The Club House (CATCH) on 19th June.
I have now found a really local tuner who is able to get it on a rolling road and map the Megasquirt, unfortunately there is a waiting list so likely to miss Boxengasse / Megaphonics however hoping it's first outing will be Classic's At The Club House (CATCH) on 19th June.
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