GTgears

I'm getting dirty thoughts. So here's my question for those of you who have backdated a car. Have you ever regretted it? If you had to do it again, what lessons did you learn that would make it easier the second time? I've got about 90% of the parts to do this out in my shed (other than the bulkhead sheetmetal) and the car needs paint anyway, so I'm thinking, why not?

jackb911

Zero regrets here, aside from what it cost to do it correctly.

Before:



Now:

GTgears

Jack,
Talk to me about the rocker trim. How difficult is it to remove? And for those who have gone long nose, while I know it's not "correct" can you actually leave it with early fenders?

jackb911

The rocker trim isn't difficult to remove but there are some attachment holes that will have to be welded up.

If you don't go with widebody quarters, the torsion bar access hole will need to have a patch piece welded in. We used new 930 widebody quarters which already had the proper access hole in place.

Regarding going longhood, the earlier style turn signal boxes would have to be welded in place and the hood latch support is completely different.

I've heard that TRE was coming out with some parts to make the longhood conversion much easier but I don't know if that has happened yet. Their website shows that the signal housings are available at $165 per. Here's a link to their site, their parts are very nice: http://www.tremotorsports.com/page.cfm?Node=10276

GTgears

I've got the hood, fenders, turn signals and front bumper from a 912 I parted out a few years back. I've read mixed reviews on whether to weld in a new hood latch section with parts from Restoration Design or just get RSR style rubber hood tie downs and just skip the latch all together.

I'd be going kind of 911 ST with this. I'd rip off the whale tail and go with a plain decklid and a plain front bumper. Given that, I think it might look weird if I kept the rocker trim.

Ed Hughes

I consider backdating to be more than a ducktail and front bumper. I suspect you mean the full long hood conversion and loss of the impact bumper profile? I think that is a great way to get a great looking hot rod. Much more sense, therse days, than modding a '73 or earlier.

bobaines

If you are going to do it, do it right. The long hood lach panel, an early dash. There is nothing more rewarding than getting into a backdate and having it look like an early car from where you have to sit and look at it the longest. Use the RSR rubber latches but keep the safety catch.

g-50cab

Dave at TRE has a bunch of parts to make this conversion easy. The rear panel is easy - the light boxes use TRE's kit. Dave also has a remote hood opener where you don't have to do any other change to the front end

race911

Unless you've got the '73 carcass sitting around for years, complete with real RS flares!

(Amazing those were the first things my cousin welded ~20 years ago. Was over at his place tonight, and there are 2 910s, 1 907, 2 910 bare frames, and something that looks like it may become a 908/3 all in the shop. His 993 Turbo has been kicked to outside.)

Ed Hughes

^^There are exceptions...

Amber Gramps

Do it. I can't seem to ever walk away from the TRE and sierra madre websites

GTgears

Yes. The parts I already possess are as follows:

1966 hood
1966 front side markers and horn grills
Pre-'73 factory FG fenders (I think they are 911R, not RS pieces. I'll have to check the flare on them. It's been a while since I've had them out of the shed in daylight)
factory RS front bumper
aftermarket FB rear bumper
1966 rear decklid (missing grill)

This is the car I would largely like to emulate, including color choice(car is currently run of the mill sun faded Guards Red):
http://www.autofarm.co.uk/media/st1_orig.jpg

Though I won't be welding any wider flares and will be sticking with run of the mill 7 and 8 inch Fuchs, which I already own. I sold my 9's a few years back.

My mental stumbling block in the bulkhead latch piece. I think I've just got to get over it. Even the bulkhead, if done properly, is 100% reversible, though I suspect once I'm there, I won't want to go back. I'll have to check and see if the fenders and front bumper go together. They are off 2 different cars and I'm not sure if the bumper is totally wrong for the fenders. I might have to buy another bumper,though I might have a '66 steel one in decent shape.

I haven't even begun to think about the interior. That's at least a year out since the goal, assuming I don't lose my inspiration, is to do this over the winter and have it on track by the time the snow melts.

Ed Hughes

I think that if you have the goodies, you can't go wrong doing this correctly. And, you'll have a car that will bring you many grins.

GTgears

Ooops... There goes that idea. A lost puppy followed me home...

Ed Hughes

Congrats!