Back in beige

[neilbardsley]

The oil cooler still gets air flow as the fan is larger and shifts more air. Also the doghouse (bit stuck on the back) has an open back so the hot air that has passed through the cooler can exit the shroud/airflow rather than staying in the shroud and being pushed back over the engine like the earlier design.

Hope that makes sense.

Perfect sense. Thanks

Next numpty question will it fit? I don't think my 912 would have enough space for the oil cooler at the back

[Nige]

That style of shroud fits a Beetle so no reason why not.

[jamie]

I dropped the car over to Barry Carter's workshop two weeks ago. He has some other work to finish first, but I think he should be starting on my shell any time soon.

I have been a big fan of Barry's work since doing a metalworking workshop back in 2007. He taught us how to TIG, and bash metal into shapes. It was fascinating stuff, and his teaching style was pretty confidence inspiring, but I never really had the balls or time to use any of this info (Kudos to Sladey for actually doing work on his own car).

I really like Barry's approach to restoration, which is about preserving as much original metal as possible. Despite this, he did suggest removing the floor completely as it is so thin in lots of places. And the front wings, which are so fiddly that it's much easier to spend aa bunch of money and get a new pair from Porsche.

I bought the new wings a while ago as I figured they would only get more expensive over time. Turns out that was a good move for another reason, too - on delivering the car to Barry, he was pleased to see the stamping was of a higher quality than on the ones currently available. He has recently been fighting with a newer set on another car that have some very shallow, but quite obvious ripples in them.

I have decided I would like fibreglass bumpers on the basis that the original steel ones are so damn heavy. If anyone has recommendations on where to get a good set, I'd love to hear.

[jamie]

OK, that didn't take long. On Darren's recommendation, I just ordered a front bumper from EB Motorosport. It's sold as a 911R item, but I will probably add the original chrome trim in order to keep it looking stock. Aim with this car is for stock looks, with the go-faster stuff only noticeable to geeks

[tim78]

Loving your work Jamie.
I also have a 1968 cardboard box beige 912 that needs a lot of the same work as yours.
Enjoying the write up and getting much needed motivation and inspiration.

[jamie]

Thanks Tim. Do it!

OK, just got off the phone to Mark at EB. Lovely bloke, very knowledgeable. The rear bumper they make is slightly flared at the ends to fit with 911R rear flares, which I don't have. Neither of us was aware of anyone that sells a standard three-piece bumper in fibreglass.

Mark suggested that drilling or removing the massive (heavy) angled brackets from the two original rear quarter sections would remove a lot of the weight. I could run an aluminium rear panel, which is a negligible weight saving but my original panel is so grotty I'm going to need a new one anyway, so it may as well be one of these.

Then it's the overriders. The aluminium ones from Karmann Konnection (http://www.karmannkonnection.com/acatal ... 12_25.html) are awesome, but a lot of money. Fibreglass ones could look cool painted flat silver. Or maybe run without. I'd really like to save some kilos without it looking like it. Somehow I think I'm going to be spending some money with Karmann Konnection...

[KS]

My glassfibre rear bumper/valance came via Tutthills and is designed to fit narrow-body SWB car.

[tim78]

I'm sure PRS had the aluminium overriders a few years ago and I'm sure they were cheaper.
It might be worth a call.
I always thought those with an unpainted aliminium rear panel might look good
Tim

[jamie]

Thanks Tim. Will check into it. I think aluminium overriders and rear panel would look really cool on a silver car.

[jamie]

Front bumper arrived from EB Motorsport. I can't try it on the car as the shell is currently over at Barry's workshop. I do hope it fits well as it is a real thing of wonder - stiff, beautifully finished and very light.

[KS]

Looks good! Much better than the cr*p I had to work with!

[jamie]

Barry began working on the shell yesterday. I am a huge Barry fan and am very excited.

He sent some photos across. Needless to say progress looks good, and the standard of work is as you would expect

The first few bits...

Before:





Repair section fabricated and checked in situ:



Grotty metal is cut out. Then some welding happened:



Magic:






Here's a rust hole I shoved a big screwdriver through way back when the car was still in my friend Gray's garage in the US:



Barry cuts it out:



... makes a new bit, and in it goes to form a seamless repair:



I love this, and wish I could do it.

Tip of the iceberg, anyway...

[jamie]

Meanwhile, back on earth, The Dude has been busy making tinware that went missing somewhere between 1967 and now:



And Garry (aka visualfx) sent me a new piece of bonnet latch to replace the one I mistakenly sent to its death at the platers:



Thanks Garry!

[KS]

Great stuff! Let the fun begin...

[johnM]

Exciting times Jamie. Barry's work is magic.