1974 Carrera Coupe - RHD, UK car

[Ferry Man]

...the depth of this build and the resulting integrity is the almost hidden key element.
Under the gloss of paint the foundation is total. What a value enhancer!

Thanks. I'm delighted with the results. I think I've done the car proud.

[Ferry Man]

One of my last visits to the bodyshop saw the shell rebuilt with both doors & seals, the front bonnet & seal, all windows & seals, the outer sills & seals, everything to verify good fit.

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

I've spoken to several bodywork guys and some of them recount tales of some of the shortcuts and fudges taken by lesser restorers.
Like the use of two or three washers as a remedy for too tight a panel fit.
Or ovalled bolt holes on hinges that can't quite be made to fit. Or worse.

Well, needless to say this body has no such compromises. Everything bolts up perfectly with even gaps.
Take the front wings for instance.
It's always a tricky fit, you must make sure there's an even gap with the bonnet down its length, ensure the leading edge matches that of the front of the bonnet and then the important matter of the door gap.
All those (and the fit to the scuttle) are linked.
You cannot tweak one without detriment to the other. It must be right.
Even Porsche tired of this complex and skilful manoeuvring and in later generations made the rubber seal between wing and lower front screen corner wider (to better mask any variations at this critical point).
The 993 seals are thicker and many restorations of early 911's use them. My car has the correct slim version.

[Ferry Man]

The body shop presented me with a superb, rust free shell.
There is some lead loading on the car but it is used sparingly and no more than Porsche would have used originally.
There is no filler (or 'Bondo' as our American cousins would say).

[Highfield]

Simply amazing to see that completed shell given the less than optimum starting point. Bravo to you and Chestertons. Who will paint it ?

[Bootsy]

That last pic presents one hell of an achievement. Looking forward to the next phases.

ps. pink rules, go Magenta, be a man

[sladey]

Pink does not rule and if you're going to be a man, don't be that man.

Car looks great


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[haasad]

Surely this is the most comprehensive restoration of an impact shell ever done...? What an achievement and the standard of work is incredible.

Please don't follow Bootsys advice regarding colour ....It must be that amazing vivid green is it called "viper" ? OR black to show the perfect body lines and quality of prep.

[Bootsy]

My pink comment is a little tongue in cheek. I suppose having seen a few 74 RS in Lime Green I was hinting that something seldom seen would be worth thinking about

[Ferry Man]

Simply amazing. Bravo to Chestertons. Who will paint it ?

Surely this is the most comprehensive restoration of an impact shell ever done...?
....It must be that amazing vivid green.

Looking forward to the next phases.
ps. pink rules, go Magenta.

Thanks for the encouragement guys.
The next phase will be paint and it will be tackled by Early911 (along with all the remaining reassembly).

And Tom is correct, the Magenta shade was wonderful, I was really taken with that car pictured earlier.
But, I'm steady with my resolve. It's going to be Lime Green.

[Ferry Man]

Chestertons installed all the external panels, lights, bumpers and trims to ensure that everything fitted well.
But Early911 will go on to improve even on that.
Nick and his guys will have plenty more to do on the body in prepping the car for paint.

Firstly I needed to collect the shell and get it down to Sussex.
Later this evening I'll post up some photos of the completed shell (as it left Chestertons and was trailered down to Early911)

[Darren65]

Absolutely incredible workmanship and truly a hand built car but will you be swapping the Porsche badge for a Chesterton's one?

Seriously, absolutely awesome!