Peter Zimmermann

Hi Brent: Gladly! Many factors play into a restoration, such as the age of the car, how long it's been in storage, if it has any special needs, etc. The 912 in question is a complete car that is pre-galvanized, has front end accident damage that involves the bumper, left front fender, hood, front lights, and some under-skin damage. It's been in non-secure indoor storage for more than 20 years. Rust is minimal, but there are needs. OK, that's a thumbnail of the project. Think of a restoration as the same as building a house. You start with an architect (that would be me) who reviews the needs and desires of the project, and then draws the "plans." Then you need a foundation contractor to pour the slab. In the case of the 912, the foundation guy removes the engine, transmission, front and rear suspension, the gas tank, etc. in order to prepare to build its foundation. The 912 has just over 100K miles, and it would be risky to not replace the rear torsion bar tube, and the front apron has accident damage, so the "foundation" will be built by a chassis expert (who I've known for more than 20 years). The foundation phase will involve the body shop (the "framers" of the house), who will be charged with stripping away any defective undercoating, and preparing the entire belly of the car for finishing. The site supervisor (that would be me), will inspect this progress regularly, daily if necessary, until the body shell is removed from the chassis bench, put on a dolly and transported to the body shop. Now the "framers" get serious, but instead of installing windows they remove them, along with front fenders, hood, doors, engine lid, bumpers, etc. At this point all needed body parts should be in stock, and the replacement L.F. fender, trunk lid and front bumper can be fitted and then removed. At this point the framers (body shop technicians) repair and prepare for paint all of the body parts, as well as the shell, including the trunk and engine lid. This is when the supervisor plays a crucial part. Depending on how deep this project has to go, the super must have experts available to remove any wiring, switches, relays, fuse boxes, etc. that will get in the way of finish work, The wiper/washer system must also be removed, as well as all of the window frame apparatus in the doors. All chrome pieces must be photographed, cataloged, and sent to a specialist to be refinished (more work for the super - but if an owner is capable of filling this position it can save big bucks and keep the project on track). Now the "stucco" and "drywall" guys have to come into the picture. A coat of finish primer is applied to the car, and while the interior specialist replaces the headliner and takes the seats away for rebuilding (hinges must be examined, chrome parts must be refinished, etc.), the painter and his crew can finish the undersides of the front and rear lids, the door jams/posts, and those parts can be installed and fitted. Again, this is when the super steps in to OK the final alignment of the doors, gas filler flap, lids and bumpers and assure that the door windows are installed, sealed properly, and operate smoothly. Any imperfections must be taken care of at this phase. Now the new granite counter tops (dash, if needed; door panels, if needed, carpets, are all built and reviewed by the super). This "house" doesn't need a roofer, so we'll bypass that part! OK, the trunk and engine compartment are finished, the gas tank has been repaired/replaced, and it's time to take the car to the mechanic for component installation - all of which has been reviewed by the super, and any necessary cleaning or repair (paint the trailing arms and control arms, reseal brake calipers, replace wheel bearings, powder coat brake backing plates, etc.) has already been done. The super will review how the engine, trans and gas tank fit, as a final judgment of the "foundation" guy's workmanship. Engine mount bolts, front control arm bolts, etc. should all fall into place with no need to pry, bend or otherwise force any particular part. The car can actually be started and run at this point, but alignment will wait until the last step. The super must arrange transport to the upholstery shop, where the interior can be finished, including details such as seat belts, B-pillar covers, interior lights, panels, etc. - call this the interior "paint, tile and lighting" phase of our house. Now the car can make its final assisted trip back to the body shop, where it will receive its final coat of exterior paint, including any touch-up required to the car's floor and wheel wells. The super will have researched if the wheel wells of this 912 were body color, or blacked out, and make it so. Final assembly and polishing will be done, and "house numbers" (any exterior emblems, engine lid and horn grilles, etc.) will be mounted, re-finished wheels with new tires installed, and with luck the car can be driven to the alignment shop under its own power. Time required? About a year and a half! With luck the finished product, because of the careful selection of the sub-contractors used, will be equal to the original dream.

WitchDoctor

Hey Pete,

Thanks for describing the resto' process. Boy it sounds like a lot of work, a worthy car for the effort.

Maybe if you send him your thoughts, he might reconsider doing it himself...or if he does, consider doing it properly.

I'd love to see that car in person, lovingly restored as described.

jakeflyer

I have this hid out in the hanger next to the cattle trailer so nobody can see it. A little different situation than the car you may have lost. However, now I can come out of the closet and admit that I have a 912, but not much of one.
But, I digress or what ever it is when you wander off---------- In yesteryears there was a 1946 airplane I wanted to buy and the seller balked. I mailed him a 3x5 inch card with my name and phone # and that I wanted the airplane. I also sent a cover letter asking him to put the card on his post it board or on the refrig and call me if it ever came up for sale again. 3 years later I bought the plane. My card had been on the ice box for 3 years. It aint over till its over.

blake

+1. Pete - you need to work out a creative way to get that 912, even if it means waiting several years for the owner to "come around". Best of luck. I want to see that car in your stable!

-Blake

GothingNC

Pete,

Speaking about full restorations.

Check out how much this guy has gone into restoring a VW Thing.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=273089

Almost all restorations takes a lot of time, desire and a "realistic" budget.

I miss mine

John

Peter Zimmermann

John: I've definitely got a soft spot for old VWs, and Things are very cool. Body-off restos are so easy compared to working on a welded uni-body like a 911/912. Of course, now that Porsche owns controlling interest in VW, no parts will be available except for a few scraps in Germany. If you want one it'll be $10K for the part and $5K more to ship it! With V-dubs the aftermarket is a great thing!

Jay Laifman

They are having a Bug-In this Sunday at the California Speedway. I'm tempted to head out there.

hoffman912

pete, where did you find this 912? is it on a site or anything? teh guys with the 912 registry would love to find more about it and its details. (sorry i missed the original thread on this car)

Peter Zimmermann

Hi Harry: #2 was brought to the states in 1967, imported by someone who I know. The car remains in the same family today, has never been advertised, and hasn't been driven since an accident took it off the road in the late '80s. My shop did a complete overhaul on the engine in the mid-'80s, but the piston rings are probably now rusted to the cylinder walls, and I don't even want to think about the gas tank or mouse nests! The car still has it's original Solexs, Euro-style heat exchangers, original 5-speed, front struts with early ball joints, etc. I think that we converted the axles to Lobros w/CV joints, but I can't remember for sure. It's all there, including seats with Houndstooth panels, and really doesn't have any rust. A great project in the waiting...

Peter Zimmermann

I just got "creative" and sent an e-mail to it's owner. I will follow up with the reply...(insert Smilie with fingers crossed here)!

dshepp806

Fascinating....I hope it works out for you, Pete.

Best,

blake

Best of luck Pete. We are routing for you!

-Blake

The Brewmeister

Yes, best of luck. With the historical value that this car holds, the thought of it being turned into a
country club taxi is unpleasant, indeed.

WitchDoctor

Barry,

Thanks for that story.

Pete,

I'm eager to hear the follow up, as are I think the rest of us. "Rest", now to include our orphaned half brothers from the 912 section.

Anyone have a contact in the Porsche family who might be engaged to offer a word of encouragement to their misdirected old family friend who now holds this 912 hostage?

(Trying to be creative here -- go ahead and laugh!)

-Brent

jakeflyer

"I just got "creative" and sent an e-mail to it's owner. I will follow up with the reply...(insert Smilie with fingers crossed here)!"

Great to hear you are still in the hunt. We all need that car. get em Peter, get em!!