1973 2.4E Restoration

[Darren65]

Looks like it was fitted, with the most likely original, cookie cutters which were standard on the E in 1973.

And of course forward dated with the big rear wing which was very comon at the time.

Ian.

I expect you're correct Ian.

Did you also notice the ambient temp gauge to the left of the steering wheel below the main gauges - I've been trying to find out if this may have been factory/dealer fitted?

It's a VDO gauge that's date stamped Dec 72, the same as the other gauges. The hazard switch is moved just below the dash on a bracket that looks made for the job.

It's obviously been there for some time and if it was fitted at a later date somebody went to a lot of trouble making it period correct. If anyone has seen something similar I'd love to hear.

I was in two minds whether to keep it but I think it now has to stay.

Cheers,
Darren

[Darren65]

Received my first update from Barry this evening - he's been working on the nearside (technically offside being a left hooker although sticking to the UK terminology):



This is the nearside lower front wing and a-post not looking good:



Even worse with the lower a-post removed:



The rot has been cut away and then....



Voila! - a newly fabricated part is stitched in.



He's tidied up the inner sills nicely...



and been busy on the NSR inner wing:



I just love how neat and precise Barry is - I'm going to enjoy this..........

........A LOT

Darren

[johnM]

Your car looks so much better than mine did. Even so still quite a bit of rot in the bottom of the A and B pillars.
Looks like Barrys well on with it.

Kind regards

[Darren65]

Latest update from Barry.........





He's finished off the repairs to the rear NS wing, back dated and fitted the outer sill....









Cut out and dealt with the rot around the lower screen a-post area.......









Fabricated a new section and fitted the repair panel - very tidy, you can't see the join ......









....and rectified a couple of small repairs to the inner front wing.....



The near side is now looking very healthy indeed and I'm itching to go and see the progress in the flesh.

Just waiting to hear what other repair sections are needed and will visit to deliver these - I'm hoping the front pan area can be saved, it's original and fits the jig perfectly, a question of balancing the time spent repairing against the ease of fitting a (non-perfect) repair panel.

Whichever way Barry's the expert (and Boss!) so he'll decide....

Cheers,
Darren

[Darren65]

An enjoyable Porsche day.....

I needed to get a few parts to Barry and took the opportunity to visit and see his handiwork in the flesh - really top class!

Looking forward to the next couple of weeks as things take shape although concerned that I'm without rear quarters (on back order!) as I don't want an idle shell to get in the way of Barry's valuable workshop space - I've posted a wanted request, if anyone can help I'll be eternally grateful...

Prior to seeing Barry I paid a visit to Alan and Randi at Canford Classics and took this little lot.....



Despite my fears that it looked like a pile of junk, once laid out.....



....Alan confirmed that I have the basis of what's needed for a solid 911 restoration.

I've asked Alan to oversee my restoration and deal with a lot of the refurbishment work and I'm really looking forward to his help.

Alan is without doubt one of the most knowledgeable early 911 guys out there and the beauty of Canford Classics is that they'll do as much or as little as you want, don't judge and offer truly expert advice. Also, having seen the quality of what comes out of Canford Classics I think their work is second to none

Alan highlighted a few upgrades my car has received and I'll soon have to start making decisions about whether to stay with SC callipers and braided hoses etc. or take the car back to as close to original as possible?

ALL COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS ARE VERY WELCOME

Cheers,
Darren

[Gary71]

All looks good

I've just started a savings account which will hopefully accrue sufficiently before Barry retires to do my car!

I'd keep the bigger calipers, I've put 3.2 Carrera fronts on mine and it's definitely worthwhile. I've never been convinced about braided hoses, I've tried them and found no difference. I'd just put a new set of rubber ones on if I were you.

[Darren65]

Thanks for the input Gary,

The work that Barry is doing is probably the best money I've ever spent

[Barry]

[911hillclimber]

I'm sure it is money well spent, and it is so irritatingly well done!

I think though that having a 'name' working on a car does raise it's value moreso.

I'm sure people like Barry for Body
Bob Watson for mechanics etc all enhance the value or the credibility when selling.

Money well invested rather than spent!

I'm dreadding re-visiting my shell after the rebuild in '88 but these threads always teach you something. Thanks for posting.

[Darren65]

I'm sure it is money well spent, and it is so irritatingly well done!

I think though that having a 'name' working on a car does raise it's value moreso.

I'm sure people like Barry for Body
Bob Watson for mechanics etc all enhance the value or the credibility when selling.

Money well invested rather than spent!

I'm dreadding re-visiting my shell after the rebuild in '88 but these threads always teach you something. Thanks for posting.

You're dead right Graham, it is money invested rather than spent!

As for names, with your reputation I thought you was one yourself

[johnM]

Looking great Darren. Frustrating when Porsche can't be bothered producing panels and when they do they charge you the earth for them. See you next week.

[Darren65]

Looking great Darren. Frustrating when Porsche can't be bothered producing panels and when they do they charge you the earth for them. See you next week.

Really looking forward to meeting up John and seeing your car. Don't turn your back though, I might just disappear with your rear quarters - they are the right colour after all

Darren

[Darren65]

A 500 mile round trip today to drop off my gearbox to Mike Bainbridge, and being in the area I had a chance to look at this little beauty....



johnM kindly let me visit to see how his restoration is going and boy did it inspire me - John's a great guy to talk to and really know his 911s, his car looks absolutely fantastic in the flesh, the quality of the work carried out is superb and once fitted up and finished it will definitely be one nicest early 911E's in the country. If my car reaches the standard of john's I'll be more than happy Many thanks John.

It was also great to meet up with Mike at MB Porsche Engineering who comes across as a serious Porsche fanatic! Listening to his Porsche experiences and details of the cars he's worked on I just know that I'm in safe hands

My car was originally a Sporto with the current 915 gearbox being fitted circa 1991, as I've never driven my car the condition of the box is a bit of an unknown and I won't know the extent of work it requires until Mike has stripped it - one thing I will be adding is a LSD with the choice being a Quaife differential as suggested by Mike or a ZF type if I can find one?

Any thoughts or suggestions, I'm all ears!

Cheers,
Darren

[Darren65]

A quick update with how the bodywork is going:

Barry's steady progress continues to impress - the top of the O/S front inner wing had some rot and previous repair patches:





Soon remedied with a fabricated repair section:



that was stitched into place:





Awesome craftsmanship

It was decided that many of the items I thought would be retained on my 'solid' shell (battery boxes, front slam panel etc.) had to go, even the borderline front suspension pan didn't quite make it - so off came the front end......



to be replaced with new panels and repair sections.....





All suitably back dated of course - (like I would know!) and now ready for welding:



The next area will be the rear end and parcel shelf etc.

Rear quarters are still on back order from Porsche and I'm starting to panic that if they don't materialise soon it will hold up progress - timing isn't a problem for me although not fair to Barry having a car taking up space in his workshop that he can't work on. Desperation has led me to calling a number of OPC's to check if they're stocking a previously cancelled order!!!

If anyone has rear quarters for a pending restoration that they don't need just yet then please let me know - I'm happy to pay a premium and/or replace them as soon as I can.

Keeping my fingers crossed for now

Cheers,
Darren

[210bhp]

Darren

Depending on what part of the rear quarter you need I have a nearside rear targa wing in very good condition.

Great work and great thread.

Regards
Mike