1976 911S Backdate from an Update

[neill]

Hey Guys,

I would like to first introduce myself, Neil Lewis of Brisbane, Queensland in Australia. I am only 28 so probably a little younger then the average age here and a little way away (geographically) from most on this board. Up until now I have mostly just read the forum for information and tips for the project I am currently undertaking.

The important stuff... The car!

Purchased 3 months ago it is a 1976 911S, flood damaged in 2011. It has sat since then with the only work done being a clean and having the water removed from the engine etc. It came to me with a slant nose conversion and 930 turbo rear guards already fitted.

Originally a Japanese delivered vehicle, so its LHD and km/h on the dash. I'm told they order their non-domestic vehicles as LHD as a way to show off or something.
It has a 7R cased 2.7 CIS with a 5 speed 915 box. Still haven't investigated whether it is LSD or not.

This is how it looked after a bath once collected -





Slant nose isn't really to my taste and seen as the car was already a bit of a mix of parts I don't feel bad in making it what I want/like. It is getting backdated to be somewhat of a ST tribute.

Now sits something like this -






The car thus far seems to be relatively rust free. There is one hole in the lhr passenger seat base, another in the lhf structure above the wheel (under the front wing) and one bubble in the roof.

I will attempt to keep this up to date for a bit of a project journal for myself and for advice if you can send some my way.

[neill]

Some inspiration towards the build.










You will notice one major difference between the majority and the last one. Wheel size.

I have found it difficult to find tyres in the correct sizes to suit 15's as I'd ideally like to run, Michelin TB05 and TB15 seem to be the only option. However in 17's I can get sizes in nice compounds for reasonable money. So at this point in time the choice is to run 17's purely from a tyre availability stand point.

[neill]

Rust repairs

So far I have managed to find only 4 areas of rust, which is extremely surprising considering it was a flood car. I took the advice of another member on here and borrowed an inspection camera and have looked inside most cavities. It looks more so like the water has cleaned the cavities rather than pooling and causing a problem.

Anyway, some quick pictures of the rust repairs -

[neill]

The only other thing I have done since the above is coat the interior with Lizard skin sound deadening to replace the factory tar sheets.



I have done everything thus far by myself. I don't have the budget to pay someone for all the work, I do have the budget to fund the parts necessary so I am chipping away at it myself.

Plans are to end up with something like the silver car above with the 17's. Interior wise I would like a lightweight carpet set and period buckets. The aim is to get the weight down to try and make the best use of the power that's there without needing to spend tens of thousands on the engine (for now).

[Darren65]

Best of luck with the project and great to see you doing the work.

I would however seriously reconsider using 17" wheel ......imo it would spoil what otherwise looks like being a great looking car.

[Gary71]

Excellent project and welcome to DDK Agree on the 17" wheels, but I can see why you might end up there as the 15" options in the widths you need are expensive for wheel and rubber.

[neill]

I would so much rather 15's, but the price of those tyres, sheeesh.

Wheels will end up being a similar price regardless of 15's or 17's.

I guess it's an easy swap later on if I win lotto.

[hot66]

15's please .. otherwise everyone will accuse you of trying to copy a singer !

[DustyM]

I'm having the same dilemma with wheels on my project, unfortunately 15's just don't seem a practical option anymore.

[sladey]

I understand the problems pushing you to 17s, given the width you're going to need. Have you thought of 16's? Maybe give you more tyre choices and won't look as bling as the 17s

[dogbower]

I have 16s on my car, it came with them honest, and although I keep meaning to get a set of 15s, every time I buy new tyres I am glad I have 16s.
Couldn't stand 17s though, look far too modern.

Stuart.

[cubist]

Those 17s... I like, but far too Hollywood. How about body colour silver centres against the black fuch-style detailing with bare satin-polished fat barrels? Anti-bling if you like and something different that might satisfy the 'Trad boys' on here!

[neill]

The wheels I have being built are BBS RS mesh. They have a smaller center with a larger step in the lips to try and give the illusion of being smaller than 17's.

Centers are going to be silver with a polished lip. Nothing too in your face.

[neill]

So I took the advice of checking the cavities seen as its seen some water in its life and I found this -




So today I finished doing this -




Also Rennline dash trim arrived and I sat it in place to get some motivation for the interior -



As I am going down the light weight route, what have others done with the air intake on the bonnet, when removing the air blower motor and associated items. I have the idea of using a sheet of thin black plastic to blank off the hole but leave the mesh and trim present so it looks "normal". Be interested to see what others have done.

I will be using a 12v heated blower unit for demister, if anyone is wondering.

[haasad]

Hi, fun project. Love DIY. On my r thing I did exactly what you are thinking to the air inlet except I used clear plastic. Didn't bother with a heated demist, just fitted a rule bilge blower blowing up through the screen demist slots inside. Works fine and is cheap and light.

Keep up the updates.
Andy