Meet Ralph - 1970 ST project

[rich73]

More measuring on the rear arches as I was a bit concerned after finding this image on Pelican.

FLARES1299076646 by richard cannings, on Flickr

I'm measuring 12.5 inches so went ahead and mocked up a wheel.

Using my new found knowledge of offsets (ended up drawing things out to scale in the end), used a 7 inch wide wheel(ET23) and 31mm of spacers to create my 9 inch(ET15) mock-up. If anyone's having a slow day I'd be grateful for my maths/wheel understanding to be checked.

Seems to look OK, 18mm tyre overhang from the rim and it clears OK without arch rolling.

Compared with a well known build of high standard and things look comparable.

kirk arch by richard cannings, on Flickr

2021-12-17_12-03-35 by richard cannings, on Flickr

[rich73]

Bit more progress today, slight tweak needed on the rear arches.

2021-12-20_07-10-24 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Getting more confident at shrinking.
2021-12-20_07-10-36 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2021-12-20_07-10-47 by richard cannings, on Flickr

and a bit of cutting.

2021-12-20_07-10-59 by richard cannings, on Flickr

[rich73]

After a bit of a break I'm back on it again this week. Decided to progress the front wings first as being removable made things easier. Overcame the first issue of the clamps not being long enough.

2022-01-27_02-04-53 by richard cannings, on Flickr

After much measuring attached them with self tappers, marked roughly with a sharpie and removed again. Used some satin black to make the scribe mark move visible. The only issue that the paint can burn off when you get close with the grinder but I've found the remains of a can of stove paint so I'll give that a go on the next one.

2022-01-27_02-17-27 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Most of the removal was done with the angle grinder and 1mm disc then finished off with power file, leaving tabs for the screws.

2022-01-27_02-07-17 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Had the idea of using the MIG to tack then going over with the tig, issue with this was that the MIG welds were contaminating the TIG. Welding would be going well then blow through every time I hit a tack. I'm the end went with TIG tacks, they are also much better as they are soft and you can tweek then with the hammer and dolly.

2022-01-27_02-07-57 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Then did the TIG in approx. 10cm runs. I found the best welds were with the TIG set quite high (28A), with a circular motion moving forwards quickly. Haven't really got the hang of the foot pedal so tended to speed up as the panel got hotter.

2022-01-27_02-08-16 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-01-27_02-08-40 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Distortion was minimal and hadn't removed it yet on the following image. This is just after a quick sand, still find it amazing now soft the TIG welds are.

2022-01-27_02-09-18 by richard cannings, on Flickr

[911hillclimber]

Fabulous!
Others I know have had the same experience of mig tacks and problem tig at the same juncture.
Soft welds sounds good, just like gas welding with Oxy Ac, easy to shape and malleable.

You are a Master now, on to the rears!

[rich73]

Thanks, nice to know its not just me that's had the MIG TIG issue.
Almost there with the arches but ran out of argon so had a bit of a MIG session.

Roll bar feet attached.

2022-02-02_06-35-14 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Engine mount strengthening, big thanks to Kirk for letting me know about this one.

2022-02-02_06-35-49 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-02-02_06-36-14 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Also made the rear shelf harness mounts this morning.
2022-02-02_06-36-27 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-02-02_06-36-48 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-02-02_06-37-03 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-02-02_06-37-19 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-02-02_06-37-34 by richard cannings, on Flickr

2022-02-02_06-37-52 by richard cannings, on Flickr

[BILLY BEAN]

Excellent work as usual.

[Gary71]

Lovely stuff. Nice when you can do a least some of the welding with the machine set to kill and just go for it!

[stretch]

Top quality work Richard.

[rich73]

Thanks for the comments all,
Correct about enjoying welding with a bit of power although it was only set at 50%(180A Inverter welder), cant believe how much power you get out of an inverter welder. It's defiantly big step forward in terms of welding thinner and thicker stuff than the transformer welder but there was something smoother about the process using the transformer that I miss.

Big thanks to Darren for mentioning that the foot rest was still available, I didn't even consider Porsche to supply one. First genuine Porsche parts to be going on the car!

2022-02-03_10-53-06 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Collected yesterday and spotted this;

2022-02-03_10-53-29 by richard cannings, on Flickr

Orange is high on the list of possible colour choices , presume this is Tangerine?

2022-02-03_10-53-29 by richard cannings, on Flickr

I do like Chartreuse but possibly a bit much to live with on a long term basis. Any colour suggestions welcome?

[RobFrost]

Bahama yellow. Black is also stunning with chrome - but impossible to keep clean. Beware - Porsche porn incoming. https://www.thecoolector.com/bahama-yel ... sche-911s/

[hot66]

I dislike bahama

if it was me .. my favorite colour on an early 911 is Signal yellow

[RobFrost]

I also love signal yellow - I think it looks great with either chrome or black trim.

[matteo68]

018 every time for me!

Dream garage:
‘72 S


‘72 2.5 S/T


‘73 RSL


‘73 RSR

[matteo68]

…but I do like Signal Yellow too, even when its a stripe from front to back on an S/T!

[rich73]

Thanks for the thoughts on colour. I do quite like Bahama.....but one someone else's car. Signal yellow is nice, I used to have a mini 1257 GT in Inca yellow which looks like a very similar colour.
Tangerine 018 looks like the favourite at the moment, its a bit confusing as it seems that in many pictures it looks like red. I think your images show how differently it photographs Matt.

Bit more progress this morning.

2022-02-04_12-49-01 by richard cannings, on Flickr