#ProjectStork Episode Three: It’s Alive!

By Manuel Carrillo III - July 13, 2017

Resurrecting this 1977 Porsche 911 S has been as joyous as reuniting with a beloved family member.

Fifteen years translates to 5,479 days. That’s approximately how long #ProjectStork was in a coma as it sat gathering dust in my mother’s garage. It took only four Fridays of wrenching at Haynes Manuals headquarters to get it running again. If you’ve already watched the video above, then you know how happy Project Stork’s resurrection has made me. If you’ve seen and read about all three episodes of the Project Stork saga, then you know the emotional ups and downs I’ve endured as I’ve embarked upon restoring the 1977 Porsche 911 S that brought me home from the hospital after I was born.

Indeed, there have been highs and lows, but Episode Three has documented the highest of the project’s myriad highs. Seeing this car run again has been like seeing a family member somersault out of a coma. If flowers could sing a song when they bloom, they’d sound like Project Stork’s 2.7-liter flat-six re-emerging into consciousness. Hearing that familiar hum after its extended absence in my life filled a chasm in my soul. Spiritual teachers will tell you never to allow physical objects to fill voids in your heart, but in this instance, I’m choosing to ignore that advice. The stork is a part of me. Now that it has a heartbeat again, my heart beats stronger to return the stork to showroom condition. It deserves nothing less.

If flowers could sing a song when they bloom,
they’d sound like Project Stork’s 2.7-liter flat-six.

Getting the 911 S started and running while parked is one thing. Getting it driving is another story, or to be more accurate, another episode. That’s what we hope to accomplish in Episode Four. We have a laundry list of parts to throw at the car to increase our chances of its driving on public roads. More on those parts in the next installment of the #ProjectStork saga.

**ALSO SEE: What Rennlist Forum Members Are Saying About #ProjectStork**

I have infinite gratitude for those who’ve helped get the project this far. Special thanks to Yokohama for the set of AVID ENVigor tires, Neil Harvey at Performance Developments for his keen guidance, CTEK for keeping my new battery alive, and of course Haynes Manuals for giving us a state-of-the-art space to work on the car.

I must also thank Bradley Brownell for driving down to Los Angeles from Reno, Nevada to spend a weekend wrench-spinning on the stork, and Patrick Stevenson for the several times he’s driven from San Diego to offer his assistance. One of the best things about project cars is how they give your friends the opportunity to show you how awesome they are in supporting you. Without Brad and Patrick I can attest that with only a high school semester of auto shop under my belt, getting the project this far would have taken many more than just four Fridays.

Finally, thank you Rennlist readers for your kind comments and encouragement. It’s been great connecting with you. I can’t wait to show you Episode Four.