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My 2.2 resto, the story so far.......

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:29 pm
by Simon Rudge
Hi All,

Let me start by saying I am rubbish at the computer bit!

I have been on the forum for a while now, but not really had anything to contribute, or so I thought! I was looking at JohnM's thread on his car, added a comment and was pleased that others have an interest in what I am doing, so here goes.

I bought the car from veryporky, as a resto project. I have wanted a 911 since I was 10, when I watched the 500mile race at Snetterton with my dad, saw all sorts of glorious things racing, GT40's, Ferraris, Alfas, Matras, Chevrons etc but was taken by the funny looking things that made a nice noise. Many years later, my darling wife asked what I would like for Christmas, to which I replied (in my boring way) 'nothing, got everything I want'. Bless her, she called me a liar and told me to go and find my 911, and how much I could spend! It took me 2 years to find it!

On the day I collected the car, it looked like this!


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Not a pretty sight, with the odd (known about ) issue, like this....

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Anyway, it came with a load of bits, some useful, some less so.

The work on the car is down to me, supported by a few very good mates, James, Tim and Brian. Thanks guys.

The mission was to get it as good as possible, within the budget. This means it will never be a concours car, or a matching numbers car and so on. It will however be a driver, and used as often as possible! The work soon unveiled the known problems, parcel shelf, inner and outer sills, bottoms of chassis rails, front pan etc. It had been updated at sometime in its life, probably in Italy, where it was sold originally, and had a 'tasty' grp set of bumpers and front lid. The front wall had been chopped to accomodate this and needed replacing.

Check the front bumper!
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As work progressed, we came to start cleaning the floor pan. This has to be the darkest day so far, under the 'not bad' appearance, it was like expensive lace knickers, full of holes and pointless! After a memorable visit to the pub, I decided the floor had to be replaced. Step to the fore again, Mrs R. Has anyone else had a floor pan for their car as a Valentines day gift?

The car was turned on its side on a homemade jig, with some suitable support and bracing.

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I reckon it took nearly 2 years to do both sides, with the edge of the centre tunnel and base of the smugglers box being rebuilt. As time progressed, my mates and my own skills improved, egged on by looking at other threads, seeing the beautiful work Barry produces ans so on. We actually removed some of the earlier repairs we had done and redid them to a much better standard. Thanks Barry, for the inspiration. The best example I show of this is on the bonnet.

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This shows the original rotten metal and the repairs made to the rubber buffer areas. I have not got the skills or the equipment to get the shape in one piece ( I tried) so fabricated the flat section and used an egg cup to give the mound area! A little filling to happen, but the repair functions really well and looks neat! The bonnet needs other work as well.

All in all, I am very pleased with the work so far, the undrside and floor pan has been covered with POR15, all the cavities injected with dinitrol rust eater. After paint, it will all get wax injected etc.

The result looks like this at present, over the next week or so, it goes to the paintshop, a local chap that turns out fantastic work. It is going back to its original colour Conda Green, will have GRP RS style bumpers, and hopefully Minilites in due course! While he is doing his bit, I will be doing the engine etc, getting the plating and powdercoating done and generally building units for assembly.

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By way of closing, what do you think I should do with the clocks, answers on a postcard!

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The whole job has been a voyage of discovery, at the bad times, I am lucky enough to have a few 'other jobs' to sooth the soul. My favourite....

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which is a real one and I get to drive it!

Thanks to everyone for posting their work and providing inspiration.

Cheers

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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:58 pm
by stretch
Well done Simon,

keep up the good work.

Dave

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:02 pm
by jury
Nice one Simon, look forward to seeing it progress.

Whats the story with the RS200!?

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:13 pm
by Simon Rudge
Thanks Guys,

Jury, the RS200 is 1 of a number I look after, I worked on them as works cars back in the 80's. This is chassis 14, one of the works cars, driven by Stig B on the swedish etc. It is now used for events such as Godwood and other shows, where it gets driven pretty hard. It has about 420 bhp at the tyres and is the most comfortable rally car ever, just like driving your sofa!

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:35 pm
by hot66
great to see another resto thread :) Look forward to seeing it in paint :)

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:31 am
by johnM
Hi Simon

I have just come across this thread. It looks like we have similar projects. Top marks for doing all the metal work yourself, looking at the state of my car at the mo I think I would spend 2 years just looking at it trying to decide where to start. It must be great to finally see the shell complete, conda green is probably my fav colour, make sure you post plenty of pictures.

All the best

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:51 am
by Nige
Good work, I assume you're not re-fitting that later impact style bumper?

If not I might be interested assuming it's fibreglass which I think it is from the picture. Could you send some more pictures if you would like to sell it.

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:29 am
by defianty
Hi Simon, long time no speak. I'm glad the car is coming along, it's looking good. Best of luck with it.

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:01 pm
by saxon
Hi Simon i was thinking it's about time you posted some pics of your restoration it's looking really good :) keep up the good work conda green is
a great colour i think you will love it... here a pic of my car for some inspiration

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8)

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:09 pm
by Simon Rudge
Thanks All,

Nige, sorry, the bumpers went a long while ago, swopped for a 911 series gearbox! They were truly foul in my view!

Saxon, thanks for the piccy, fancy bringing it over or can I come for a view/photo opportunity when the weather gets better?

Stephen, and the others in Essex, fancy a meet up at some point? I think I have found a better pub recently. The ferrari club meet there and the bar maid is truly stunning!

Off to the workshop now, seat frames need to be made!

Cheers

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 12:07 am
by TheEasyLife
Good work. I wish I was more mechanically minded. Tim (impmad) brings his own toolkit round when he comes to see me as I don't own much more than the toolkit roll from under the bonnet. :roll:

The clocks can have new bezels fitted to them by a number of UK and US specialists.

Conda green looks awesome. I was smitten by Peter's (Saxon) when I was parked next to it at Classics at the Castle last year.

James

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:21 pm
by Barry
Good work, and it must be very satisfying knowing you've passed the shell onto the painter for the next stage :) .

Anyone that does this sort of thing on a DIY basis deserves much respect, as it's not easy stuff at any time.

Best wishes for the next phase 8) .

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 2:34 pm
by Gary71
Is that a long wheelbase early shopping trolley I spy under there! ;)

Great work. Next time mine comes apart for welding it's going back to the shell!

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:22 pm
by Simon Rudge
Good spot!

The shopping trolley is the MK2 version, which found a use for 2 trolleys and a part finished 'Locost' kit car frame that was in the way. The early version was not mobile.

Joking aside, the workshop will hold 4 cars, having the car mobole on the trolley maent I could move the bit I was working on close to the bench, which made life so much easier.

Another small size shopping trolley was pressed into service to carry the welder, which made life easier again.

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:10 pm
by sladey
Car looks great so far Simon - make sure you keep the pics coming