1974 Carrera Coupe - RHD, UK car

[Ferry Man]

I knew the engine had been rebuilt once before.

As explained earlier - when discovered - the car had done 170,000 miles and this was supported by quite a large file of paperwork.
There’s a gap in the history between ’84 and ’89 but aside from that most owners kept receipts and MoT notes.
The mileage climbs quite evenly over the early years until it reaches 71,000m in late 1981 and the engine is then rebuilt by A. Bianchi of Bromley, Kent.
Their engine rebuild served the car well, it appears it lasted for nearly another 100,000 miles.

It was quite a major rebuild with new pistons & barrels, new big ends, new oil pump, new valves & valve guides.
It included the fitting of new timing chains, chain rails and tensioners.
A set of pistons & barrels cost just £500 in 1981….

[IanMcLeod]

... in late 1981 and the engine is then rebuilt by A. Bianchi of Bromley, Kent...

I also have a receipt with my car for an engine rebuild, including a similar list of parts, by A. Bianchi in the late 70s so he must have been a well known Porsche specialist at the time.

Ian.

[Ferry Man]

he must have been a well known Porsche specialist at the time.

Ian, I think you're right.

I didn’t know anything much about ‘Bianchi’ but Nick Fulljames had heard of them and they were a Porsche specialist.
They also had just the coolest letterheads with a great line illustration of an ST on there.
So they must have been good guys.

[Ferry Man]

I also found copies of later letterheads of theirs picturing a 917 so they were obviously tuned in to racing Porsches.

[KS]

Tony Bianchi, maybe?

Big in aviation/aerobatics (flew/flies Spitfires for the movies) but also a very keen Porsche man, with an extremely hot Turbo, which we featured in 911 & Porsche World some time ago, I'll ask Del Mallett - he'll know if Tony had his own workshop at all.

[Lightweight_911]

Yes that was Antonio Bianchi - he was still operating up to ~ 1990

[misteralz]

Was about to post 'Don't be daft, all the letterheads say A...', then realised he's probably using his Sunday name on them...

[IanMcLeod]

They were obviously around a while as my car has several receipts (same design) from 1975 - 1979. One is for new piston rings, regrind valves etc in 1975 which on a 3 year old 37 thousand mile car hints at it being driven hard early in its life.

Ian.

[Slope330]

Toni Bianchi ...top Pork man for many years .
Mechanic of the old school , nothing he could nt do with a 911 engine

Of recent years been making high quality fibre panesl for spoilers , Bi Plane wings , especially for 993 s
Hope hes still going

[squirdan]

just caught up with this thread Paul... a great read so far

I will be contrarian...its really not that bad...I have definitely seen worse. that Canford swamp monster one for a start

my 72E tbh was just as bad...floors, sills, inner wings, dodgy roof, bonnet etc lots of pin holing.

as you have already pointed out, the panels are all mainly available off the peg which helps

the good news is as you know far better than me, the value is the VIN and the 911/83 and plenty of margin here for a full resto I suspect!

it will be great to see it brought back to life, full respect to you

i am with you on 70s colours but I do have a soft spot for the black with red sidewinders scheme (like my 968 CS) that was available on these and was the colour of the 74 Carrera I bought before I stupidly stupidly ruled out a resto and sold it in bits

[Ferry Man]

it will be great to see it brought back to life, full respect to you

Thanks.

[Ferry Man]

So, once Redtek received the engine, it was up on a stand and the disassembly began.

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]