hoffman912

Robert, just wondering, is that engine original or does it look like it has bits from later models?

Bret pretty much covered the rust areas... anywhere on the bottom are big areas, but id also like to add there could be weak areas around the suspension (especially mounting areas, and areas that are hard to get to, and do not allow water to freely drain out), and also around the window seals, particularly the front and rear windows where water can sit around the seals, and seep in and get trapped (if you take off the vynal and stuff thats on the back ledge behind the rear seats, and down underneath the rear seats you can see what may be lurking.

here is a pic of a 912, getting some rust repair in this area




This is what can happen if this area is left to the forces of nature. This is NOT a quick or easy repair



Robert, i found some correct mounting brackets for those lights at a decent price! now i just gotta find a decent set of lamps that will look correct with out the heavy price of the 118s

RJT

Yeah Harry it looks like the "period correct" motor but if it was only driven for 20 years (55-75) things were probably repaired with non "period" parts. It's hard to really tell without being up-close and personal just what is there.
And you are soooo right, rust has NO boundaries.
Glad to hear you found your brackets. You'll find the lights that will look great before you know it!

hoffman912

really? i figured it would have been more likely to be repaired with period parts if it was only around between 55-75, and then 'forgoten about', as correct parts were more readily available durring its "first" lifespan.
either way, heck of a barn find.
i wonder if this gives you any ideas for your next diarama?

RJT

Harry....After I typed that I thought exactly what you just suggested. Since it was only 20 years old when it was "retired" it may have been fixed during that period with correct parts. But there wasn't a big emphasis on "correctness" back then, 356s were just old cars, they were not collectible classics yet. Fix it as least expensive as you can get away with. They were always cool, but in the late 60s and early 70s the 911 was king. The 356 was a has been. I remember looking at an absolutely beautiful 57 Speedster in 1976, black/black, mint unrestored original condition. The guy wanted $7500 for it. I thought he was dreaming, shouldn't have been more than $6000! I turned it down because of 1500 bucks!!!! But that was 1976. Now I'm looking at 57-58 Speedsters for 10 TIMES that price! You want to see a beauty? www.europeancollectibles.com and look at the black 58 speedster. Fully ground up resto....it's lickable!!!! But at 110K it should be!
Oh yeah.....I've got ideas. I just bought 12 Fujimi Speedster kits to build garage/barn dioramas with. I want to have a bunch done for the Speedster Anniversary in June.

hoffman912

im guessing youre taking one or two to dunkels? i saw a pic of a 356 barn find last week, that i wanted to show you but i cant find it now...

just wondering, what was the attitude about the 912 back in the day? was it the purists car b/c of the engine, or was it more like the boxster is today.. not really looked down upon as its a viable sports car, but not necessarly put on the highest pedistol?

the one your going to look at, when you go to barret jackson, is that the light blue one the currently have on their website, or is there another real speedster for sale not listed? (there are a lot of replicas there ive noticed!)


WOW! now that is clean! and the recaros!!!! you dont see many speedsters (at least none of the ones ive seen) that have those original sports seats. why 57-58? cause its an A (more comfortable, better handeling, better power, better ride)?

my next porsche is definitly going to be a 356, probably a c or an sc coupe. then again.. a 67 912 soft window targa would be really nice.

when we were looking at 912s, we passed up a 68 sunroof coupe (even rarer than a soft window targa!) but the one we did get was in as good of condition, and when we did the haggle dance, the owner came down to our price, so we took it.

RJT

No, I'm not taking anything to Dunkels (except JoAnne). I just finished 3 1/43rd scale 356s for a friend in SoCal, so I'll take those to him, but it's going to be a nonselling trip. Hopefully buying stuff, like full size maybe!
I've decided not to go to B-J this year, mainly because I've got friends that will be there and will call me with what they think of the light blue Speedster and then they will bid for me. If I get that car I will drive my truck/trailer out to Dunkels and pick it up on the way. Dunkels is the very next weekend.
I remember the "attitude" towards the 912 back in the 60s was kind of like the Boxster or even the Cayenne today. It was looked down on by some as the poor-mans 911. "Can't afford a REAL Porsche, huh?" But I'll tell you, I had more problems with my 66 911 that there were many times I said that if I had bought a 912 instead I wouldn't be in the garage, I'd be out driving! But it's well known about the early 911s with the six solex carbs having lots of issues.
I would prefer an A Speedster, but I would consider a Pre A also. The A is just a little more refined or driver friendly than a Pre A. Like you said, handling, braking, suspension is better in an A. And the addition of a gas gauge is nice to have.....no such thing in a Pre A! But a Pre A that was "right" might be considered.

Keep the Faith!

hoffman912

thanks robert! i always wondered what the vibe was back then. (what can i say, born 30 years too early!)

let me know what happens, as i will be lookin for news and watchin the auction on tv!

just wondering.. what about a carrera speedster? or is that too much $$ and too much of a hastle as far as maintenence and rebuilds?

RJT

Carrera Speedster? I would love one! But you already answered your question......If regular Speedsters are hitting 110K, Carrera Speedsters have got to be 175-200K. And the problem of who will be able to work on a 4 cam in the near future is pretty vague. There is a 4 cam motor for sale, 89 Grand, just the motor. Who knows what a rebuild on it would run.
Some people are wondering if Speedsters will eventually become unobtainable like 550 Spyders. There are alot more Speedsters around than 550s, but supply and demand dictates everything!

sodly

Is is just me or are the pictures gone???

RJT

Yeah.....The pics have gone away.........??????

ventoGT

Bump out of curiosity for what happened with this car

thf944

He is restoring it himself. We had a lot of responses with offers to buy it, I even talked to a local shop about buying it. In the end though, he decided to keep it. I'm glad he did.

TC/914

Any pictures of the progress? Before and after shots? I love anything Pre-A and especially the Continentals. Something about a limited run of cars in the middle of the production life of the 356 is soooo cool!

Thanks !

TC

thf944

i've got before pictures i can post. i haven't seen the car since he started to restore it. i'll see if i can get some.

Vancouver83LTD

interesting read.