And it's hello from me..

Binjammin · Post by **Binjammin** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:00 pm

I've been a classic fan for as long as i can remember, i've had a lot of cars and i restore old VW buses for a living.

It's how i found this site actually through VZI.

Anyway I've always wanted a 356 and a 911 and a 912 and 914.... etc you get the picture, but for one reason or another i never have owned one.

Well 40 is fast approaching so it's been long enough without one, and the image of Eddy murphy tearing around in his in the film 48 hours, keeps replaying in my mind. Not to mention Lori Petty jumping in hers in Point Break half dressed.....

Hopefully i'll pick up all the in's and out's of classic Porsche ownership on here, and maybe make some like minded friends.

My aim is to pick up a basket case that i can lovingly restore, it's no biggy to me as i do it all day long anyway, plus it would really be mine then, i'd know every nut and bolt, not just bought as is and become caretaker to, know what i mean.

Catch you on the forums, i'll be the one asking stoopid questions

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:59 pm

well hello,

you have definatly come to the right place to learn about classic pork. There is no such thing as a stupid question. its far more stupid not to ask.

so fire away with the questions, if we like you we'll proberly start taking the mickey

Binjammin · Post by **Binjammin** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:20 pm

Great, and thanks for the welcome

One thing that came to mind instantly was, does anyone make replacement floor pan parts for the 356 and 912?

I should probably start a thread somewhere titled "Bins thread of enlightenment"

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:18 pm

yes indeed but your best to speak to an expert to make sure you order the right part for the car your restoring.

with 356 you need to know year, model, if its a cab or coupe.
with 912 they are exactly the same as a early 911 you just need to know if its a SWB or LWB.

for starters: (others will know better than me)

parts can be got from (uk) Roger Bray, or Karmann Konnections (also a VW supplier)

or (USA) Stoddards

Binjammin · Post by **Binjammin** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 8:41 pm

Thanks, i've spent all afternoon pouring over the resto threads on here and getting quite a lot of info so far it's all good stuff.

I'm yet to buy the car, i want to know as many of the pitfalls as possible before sourcing it, so i have a good idea what to look for and what to avoid.

I'm still unsure as to which model to go for, the practicality voice in my head is telling me to go for either a 912 (easy engine maintenance) or a 911 and learn my way around the flat 6.

But the other more

artistic voice in my head is saying outlaw 356.

I'm moving to Mallorca in March so it will be a LHD car whichever i go for.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:15 pm

well a 912 will be slightly cheaper to buy and will cost approx the same as a 911 to restore BUT the 911 will be worth more by the end of the restoration.

a 356 outlaw is

if done right but, could be hard to sell if not done well.

be warned just because a 912 or 356 engine is smaller and simpler dosn't mean they are any cheaper to re-build and maintain. & don't make the mistake (that many do)that they are the same as a VW Beetle engine. using cheaper parts in a Porsche engine can end up being a very costly mistake and i say that from experience.

At the end of the day your choice will come down to what car of the right condition & price becomes available. so unless you have your heart set on something, do keep a open mind. they are all fantastic cars in very diffrent ways.

Binjammin · Post by **Binjammin** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:41 pm

Yes you make a good point about keeping an open mind, i will need to learn more before making any decisions.

An outlaw 356 being difficult to sell if not done right... i have found that having something not strictly pretty or restored to factory spec does limit the potential resale market, experience gained with ratty or custom Splitscreen VW's. Although i'm not entering into this with the plan of selling on again, this one's for me.

What i meant by easy maintenance is that i know my way around an air cooled flat four very well, i have built quite a few engines and, i'm building up a type IV/914 engine, for one of my splitscreens.

If i get a 912 or a 356 i would probably remove the og engine and strip and store it, whilst implanting a warmed up VW lump for everyday use.

I could rag it and not be concerned then, plus there is a whole load of performance potential at a reduced cost, the VW aftermarket performance scene is quite healthy and less expensive compared to porsche parts.

The 911 route would mean swatting up on the flat 6 is all, as whatever i get i will be doing all of the maintenance myself.

hhm, i still need to know more about parts availability, prices, and spec, more reading needed i think, thanks for the tips.