Tale of the "barn find" '76 2.7s Sportomatic

[Irish(London)]

All,

In the hunt for an early 911 I have noted that prices are running away with themselves.

I have been chatting to someone about acquiring their 77 2.7. The engine code starts with 637 which I understand means it is a 77 MY S. The car has been off the road since 1995 but looks OK - was driven into the garage and is parked there since (some disassembly started but owner lost interest in a renovation!).

To make it more interesting it was registerd in 76 the day after I was born - that should not matter but every car has a hook!

Transmission is a Sportomatic - which is now rare and almost retro cool.

Current plan is to do whatever it takes / costs to get it back on the road and in 5 years pile in for a resto with period ducktail.

So, is even considering a 74-77 2.7 nuts?

Still blown away by all the early 911s at Le Mans.

[Berny]

Hi everything depends on condition and price sporto's are less popular but are no problem to drive if adjusted corectly that I take it is a 4 speed they changed to 3 speed just after in I think 77. If you can do work on the car yourself it will help a lot if there is very much rust costs can soon go up! Berny.

[Irish(London)]

Hi everything depends on condition and price sporto's are less popular but are no problem to drive if adjusted corectly that I take it is a 4 speed they changed to 3 speed just after in I think 77. If you can do work on the car yourself it will help a lot if there is very much rust costs can soon go up! Berny.

I paid just under £9k for it. Laid up on axle stands since 1996 though. 76 reg but a 77 MY. Engine is 6379 code which I think is 6 -911, 3 - S, 7 - 77, 9 - sporto

Last Mot'd in '95. It may be a dog -just not sure how loud it barks yet.....

[squirdan]

My understanding is certain sporto parts are very hard to find

I've only driven one and it's an acquired taste!

Stick a 915 in it and keep sporto on the shelf

Good luck with it. Sounds a good project

[Irish(London)]

UPDATE: so, following some advice on here the car is off to DustyM for assessment - in fact Jon will be collecting for me.

Now:

1) I have not seen this car.
2) It was mis-described in the advert.
3) The pictures are poor.
4) It is in a garage with no access requiring the removal of a 20ft fence to get it out.
5) It has not run in a decade.
6) It is a sportomatic on cookie cutters.
7) At under £9k it is cheap for a reason...but at least I have no illusions about what I have done.

What could possible go wrong? There was much, well founded, sucking of teeth from Jon.....

I would not have bought it were it not for the fact it is RHD and registed the day after I was born in '76.

On a positive front wife has refused permission to sell the Caterham so now a 5 car family....

Finally, to add to the nutsness of this - I have 11 month old twins and in the planning process to convert a pub in Dublin into a house with garage...

[Fuchs915]

What could possible go wrong?

The motto of all classic car enthusiasts Bold and brave choice, even without all the other stuff going on in your life. Look forward to seeing how this one progresses.

All the best

Kevin

[72911E]

And a picture of that barn! Good luck with the project Adrian.

Cheers
Derek

[Nige]

9k is probably ok if its just an engine issue but if there is bodywork issues as well then bargain hard.

[Irish(London)]

Price is done. To be honest this is in major punt territory - but even OK cars need work and I have a vision of what I want (keep it white, carrera decals, duck tail possibly - but I have years for that. If it is anyway serviceable then priority is to get it on the road for a few years before tarting it up). Let's see if it is matching numbers and whether the previous owners / service history throw up anything interesting.

[Bootsy]

Good fortune with it all

[Dragon]

Good Call
Jon is expert in these cars - hope it works out for you
Kieran

[Irish(London)]

Sorry for poisoning these parts with IBS - Impact Bumper Syndrome.

So.....update - car is back and it is a tale of two halves. First, chasis is excellent. Original, only rust is on the bumper and kidney bowels - and the all do that. So, straight original chasis is top bannanas.

Issue is the previous owner had started to strip - but rather that methodically unbolt and record stuff a lot was just prised out. The expensive reflector strip is off intact, but the fixings are still on the bumper - that kind of stuff. Also one of the plasic housings on the engine is cracked (trying to get access to the alterator) - the only way to get at it is to drop the engine. All of which is annyoying from a time standpoint.

Interestly the original colour is guards red - red on reddy orange was a brave choice.

so, my orignal plan was to get it MOT'd as quickly as possible and look to restore in a few years. With the interior stripped and the engine having to be dropped now may be the time for a respray / colour change.

Gulf blue anyone?

[Irish(London)]

So, not an early 911 but posting here if anyone is interested.

Since my last post Jon (DustyM) has colleced it.

[Irish(London)]

Porsche have responded to my request for original spec:

> color R4=grandprixwhite
> interior 23=leatherette lobster,pinstripevelours
> dealer EG=GB
> invoice Sep.'76
> 288=headlampwashers
> 439=Porsche-lettering black on doors
> 650=sliding roof

Is the lettering relatively rare?

[Darren65]

Looks like a pretty good punt afterall……best of luck getting it on the road.