The Watson

Greetings!
I have just purchased a '74 Carrera Targa (USA) and it's en route to me in South Carolina from CA. Very excited for its arrival. I would really appreciate some help with some newby questions. Thanks for your patience, help and advice!
It is currently black with wide body flares and a whale-tail. I want to go back to the stock color (which is either Sahara Beige or White - waiting to find out), so:
-what is best way to convert the flares back to the '74 Carrera style?
- can the bumpers and plastic fittings be painted or do I need to find the correct color OEM-type parts?
-advice on ducktails - they seem very pricey for an original as they get used up for RS mods. Are the fiberglass repro's a quality alternative?
- who are the best 3 or 4 vendors for new parts (quality, price, selection, etc)
- advice on A/C upgrades?
- Best source for seats (original style or sports seat in leather)?
- Top 5 upgrades (without ruining car's character)?

Thanks! Chuck

SARGEPUG

Congrats Chuck!

Nice car, other than the shame how they flared the car. It's far from a true "turbo look". If it was done right, it might have been worth keeping it that way. Tail wise, i've heard fiberglass ones are hard to fit, etc. Best bet is looking for an original tail of your choice on EBAY. I found my Carrera tail on there. My previous owner installed a Turbo tail, which I am now selling. Part wise, Pelican and Suncoast come to mind and I am sure others will chime in for other places. Bumpers, etc. can be painted with flex paint.
A/C wise, if you want cold air up to today's standards, it's like a $5k upgrade. You need oversized custom componets.
I've heard less than that does not suit many well.
Upgrade wise, you might want to consider what I have in my signature. It's a nice oveall performace upgrade package for the car.

SiberianDVM

Congrats.

I'm not too far away from you, and I too bought a California 911 last year. Instead of spending your hard earned money on A/C, spend it on track mods instead, and join us at CMP!

rusnak

whoa. A real '74 Carrera? Fantastic!

I guess back to stock is the best way to go. I would go with R-12 AC and change the receiver dryer.

theiceman

Rus this is a 2.7 cis car 175 hp. i think you may be thinking of the euro Carrera.

i hope op got a thorough ppi and got proof of engine work to repair the case.

none of the upgrades to a 3.2 apply for engine work. maybe a set of ssi's and some suspension work is all that is left on the table.

theiceman

damn i quoted myself...fail

SARGEPUG

Maybe not the chip, but the air box @ Fabspeed '63 - '73 applies and their has to be exhaust mods that apply from others as well.

SPDADCT

Congrats on the 911. It looks like the rear flares and front were done correctly based on the angle in the picture (Of course in person it may look different), but your wheels / offset is not correct. Are the flares fiberglass or steel?

BisimotoSales

Congratulations on the 911, please keep us updated as your project continues!

danng

Congrats on your 911!

Ed Hughes

It's going to be costly to de-flare, and have it done right. You're going to have to buy new fenders in front and rear quarters.

FG ducktails are fine-if you go for a quality part like Getty. Mine bolted right on, and took minimal prep. Original tails are getting to unobtanium prices.

ivangene

check if the flairs are real or not - real ones are worth a good amount of coin

welcome

The Watson

Hey Sarge - can you tell me a little more about this airbox you mention? Why the 69-73 instead of their later option? Thanks for the comments.

The Watson

Joseph -

The flares are steel. The car was stolen in the late '70s and the fenders and some interior parts were taken. Original engine and trans intact though. Probably an insurance company replacement of fenders - that's when the PPO went to the wide-body. I really want to go back to stock. Is best way to buy new fenders (and where) or to modify existing?

Ed, just saw your advice on buying new - who are good sources?

SARGEPUG

Doh! I thought you had a '73, now I see it's a '74. Of course, whatever is period correct, would be the choice.

My good freind is actually the previous owner. He installed the new HD suspension, front stabilizer and cat bypass. Testament to the engine mods I did from there, when he drove it, he couldn't believe the change. I also would recommend the short throw, world of a difference.