I bought my car in November from a nice chap in New Zealand.
Original specification:
911E manual
RHD
Chassis No; 9113200833
Engine No; 6231261
Gearbox; 337140
Light ivory
Black interior - Pepita inlays
Produced on 2nd February 1973.
Imported by AFN UK in March 1973.
Selling dealer was Rob Walker.
Supplied with the following options;
G20 - 6 x 15" alloy wheels (400), stabilizer front/rear 15mm (404), drivers side mirror (423), chrome trim on wing edges (426).
470 - comfort equipment.
568 - tinted windows.
651 - electric windows.
409 - sports seats.
425 - rear wiper.
650 - electric sunroof.
At the moment I don't have any history for it from the date of first registration (Sept. 1973) to May 1985, but I may be able to get this from DVLA when I've got it MOT'd. In 1986 it was exported to New Zealand and used for daily transport.
A couple of pictures before it was shipped to New Zealand.
In the early 1990's it changed hands and was prepared for rallying and was used for this purpose for a number of years.
The guy I bought it from acquired it well after its rallying days were over and embarked upon a full restoration. He got much of the bodywork done and it is encouraging to see pictures of it mounted on a jig.
Traditional Moari headdress?
So after studying the photographs and a couple of 'phone conversations with the owner we struck a deal and I bought the car .. I can't repeat what my wife said when I told her I'd sent a load of dosh to a guy New Zealand, whom I'd never met, for a car I'd not seen that would be arriving in bits. In essence she wanted to know why I couldn't find one in the UK or at least a little closer to home. I just couldn't make her understand why it was so much more exciting this way...
However, I was a little apprehensive about the importation/shipping documentation but I used Kingstown Shipping in Hull and they were excellent.
On the 30th November (my birthday) AH (the previous owner) loaded the container and waved goodbye to his project.
A long journey ahead.
The container arrived in Felixstowe on 7th January and I made the short trip to the port to collect it. Obviously I was keen to see how well it had survived the journey although I hadn't bothered with any accidental damage insurance, I'd only arranged cover for a total loss.
Curious and very helpful cargo handlers.
Loaded up ready for the last leg of the journey.
First job was to get the engine checked over. I knew it was the original but didn't know what condition it was in, so I loaded up all the boxes and headed to Brackley to see Nick Fulljames.
After a nervous hour or so Nick declared the engine to be in very good condition.
Case halves both good.
Crankshaft has never been ground.
Most other parts are reusable but Nick will fit new pistons. I left the engine at Redtek and Nick is going to do a full, standard rebuild with the usual sensible mods incorporated.
So that's my restoration thread up and running, more updates will follow.
Kieron.
