911 backdate wing insert bits and indicators

[boomy]

SO SORRY IF YOU HATE BACKDATES....PLEASE DON'T HATE ME - IF I HAD THE 30-40K TO GET AN ENTRY LEVEL EARLY CAR, I WOULD.

When you realise I was forced financially to sell my 66 912 4 years ago for £8500 and now it's for sale for nearly £40 K, there is now no way I will ever be able to get back into the early market

So...

Might leave the SC RS front end look and put a long bonnet with short bonnet catch on it, with the inserts to extend the front wings.

I cannot find ANY info on how to do this....can anyone shed any light on the best way to do the wing bits - the wings are steel, so can you bond the inserts to them ? How hard/easy it ? If you have done this, please help with some pointers....also, moving the indicators into these housings from the bumper...how easy ? And finally, do I just need the lenses for the indicators, or other parts to ??

Want to get this done at Easter, so need to gather parts and info ASAP.

[911ts3]

Back in 2009 when I backdated my '83 SC, Fenn Lane Motorsport converted my wings to the early type, put steel indicator light boxes in, welded up the repeater holes, put metal inserts into the sides, and made a few minor rust repairs by cutting out all the bad, and welding new metal in.
They then e-coated them .
This all for less than the cost of one new front wing.
They also converted my bonnet to a "long" one, and made a fantastic job, not like some efforts I've seen.
If you pm me your email address I'll send you some pics of the wings before and after, and the finished car.
Steve
911ts3

[redrobin911]

HI I've done it as many else have - seems to me to be simple enough - two new front wings and a long bonnet - use motorsport catches retain long bonnet - buy early indicators and away you go. See thread below on the build PM for more details if you want. It might cost more that mod-ing the wings you have but a lot easier.
Robin


http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 15&t=35828

[Nige]

Check out what Pedders did with his 3.2, not exactly what some people call backdating but all bolt on reversible stuff to what is a very clean IB.

http://www.impactbumpers.com/forum/inde ... ge-change/

[Sam]

The Paul Stephens RS Teknik kit is the easiest / cheapest if not necessarily best way to do this.

The wing extensions bolt to the wings then you just fill the join, the bumpers include the mounting points for the indicator units and the bonnet uses the existing catch, you just weld a 3" extension to it so you can reach it.

It's not 'right' but it's the best budget route by miles if you don't mind GRP as it saves £1200 worth of new wings, £300 of latch panel and most of the labour.

[911hillclimber]

I thought you could get the steel inserts from sources in the USA?
If so simply weld them on, and if you can't weld get them positioned/clamped in place and call you local mobile car welder who will readily seam weld them on.

£50 welding ?

The light units used to be the very expensive part. Maybe that has changed.

Motorsport bonnet catches will sort the front slam panel issue out for a further £40.
Fibre glass front valance and some paint. Straight forward.

[boomy]

Thanks for the advice....still not sure what to do.....you can get fibreglass front bonnet with fittings for short bonnet catch. Also, what are the thoughts on putting fibre glass early wings, to save all the mucking about with inserts ? Don't worry about originality - it's far too late for that !! I am more concerned with what problems you might gte with fitting etc. ? It would be a bit lighter..

Mark

[hot66]

If you're going to backdate, do it properly .... Glass wings are fine but I'd want to fit an early slam panel

[boomy]

If I went with the wing inserts and not glass wings, what other 'bits' do I need for the inserts - lenses etc ?? And therefore, does anyone have the bits secondhand for sale ? Or can you direct me as to where to get them ?

@hot66 - thanks for the advice...can you explain why you think it is best to change the panel and not just have a long bonnet that uses the later catch/panel ?

Cheers, Mark

[hot66]

Because I'd want my backdate to be reasonably authentic. A poor backdate really can look shite ... A good one with a little bit of extra care to the details can be stunning. Have a look at jtparr s car and sladeys , both great examples of what can be done

[boomy]

thanks..I completely understand what you mean; I just need to juggle a VERY tight budget and see what I can do/achieve

Mark

[Sam]

But it's a backdate. It will never be authentic, nor should it be. Backdates are a bit of fun, leave the 'correctness' for original cars. My favourite hot rods on here pay no attention at all to authenticity and are just a collection of bits that the owner likes.

If you're going to copy an early car exactly you may as well get an early car. If you're going to nearly copy an early car exactly you won't fool anyone so why bother?

[Nige]

I with Sam on this one, do it your way unless you are trying to create a 100% homage then the devil is in the detail.

I tempted to backdate mine, have been for years, but I'd want to do that returning it to an impact bumper would be relatively straight forward.

[Bootsy]

That Sam speak sense!

I'd go Dirty Penny stylee. Not a backdate just a cool look

[Uk911]

That Sam speak sense!

I'd go Dirty Penny stylee. Not a backdate just a cool look

That's nice, and I even like the colour...........Mark..