Orange T
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
Orange T
9110100713
So I was cruising around an independent Porsche repair and resto shop and a sorry looking left hand drive 1970 911T was sitting around, part way through a front end repair. It looked quite underwhelming but a small amount of the original Signal Orange was on show beneath the gunmetal grey respray and that sparked a bit of interest.
Long story short, I took it on and with the shop's Guru, we hatched a plan for a hotrod build.
Narrow body, upgraded platform, big motor.
So I was cruising around an independent Porsche repair and resto shop and a sorry looking left hand drive 1970 911T was sitting around, part way through a front end repair. It looked quite underwhelming but a small amount of the original Signal Orange was on show beneath the gunmetal grey respray and that sparked a bit of interest.
Long story short, I took it on and with the shop's Guru, we hatched a plan for a hotrod build.
Narrow body, upgraded platform, big motor.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
It had front ended something hard and needed a bit of new metal. The car was largely rust free, just a few minor fixes in the usual areas. No signs of any other major accident damage and reasonably straight, just a bit rough around the edges. This is how it was when I took it on - Most of the hard work done.
Steve, the shop's Guru, will have his crew do the body and mechanical resto and I will take on the total interior refit. This thread might be a bit biased that way but that is where most of the thought and action will be for me. The car is 150km from where I live so I don't see it often and rules out any major work by me other than that which I can take away and work on in my garage.
Steve is a long time Porsche specialist, car builder and racer, and the original spec for the car was something he was planning on doing prior to me coming along so the way it turns out will be as much his vision as mine. It's great to be thinking along the same lines and this makes the little decisions just happen to keep it rolling.
Steve, the shop's Guru, will have his crew do the body and mechanical resto and I will take on the total interior refit. This thread might be a bit biased that way but that is where most of the thought and action will be for me. The car is 150km from where I live so I don't see it often and rules out any major work by me other than that which I can take away and work on in my garage.
Steve is a long time Porsche specialist, car builder and racer, and the original spec for the car was something he was planning on doing prior to me coming along so the way it turns out will be as much his vision as mine. It's great to be thinking along the same lines and this makes the little decisions just happen to keep it rolling.
Last edited by Maxem; Jan 5, 2015 at 09:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
The mechanical specification is total upgrade to later components.
A 2.2T on carbs is a lovely car no doubt but to be honest, I probably wouldn't have started this project if the end state was to be a standard car. That said, nothing will be irreversible if at some point in the future I want to return it to how it left the factory. But that is not how I am thinking at the moment. This will be a Narrow body sleeper but it will hold it's own up against my Porsche buddies and our own mini arms race of go fast modifications for road and track.
The previous owner had fitted the entire suspended platform including brakes from a later Carrera 3.2 so this was a good start point to think about balancing up the rest of the package.
The final decision is;
Fully rebuilt 3.2 from a mid 80's Carrera
The complete external oiling system to suit
Fully rebuilt 915 box from the same
Everything that moves in the suspension and brakes to be renewed.
A 2.2T on carbs is a lovely car no doubt but to be honest, I probably wouldn't have started this project if the end state was to be a standard car. That said, nothing will be irreversible if at some point in the future I want to return it to how it left the factory. But that is not how I am thinking at the moment. This will be a Narrow body sleeper but it will hold it's own up against my Porsche buddies and our own mini arms race of go fast modifications for road and track.
The previous owner had fitted the entire suspended platform including brakes from a later Carrera 3.2 so this was a good start point to think about balancing up the rest of the package.
The final decision is;
Fully rebuilt 3.2 from a mid 80's Carrera
The complete external oiling system to suit
Fully rebuilt 915 box from the same
Everything that moves in the suspension and brakes to be renewed.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 239
Likes: 1
From: Ft Collins, CO
Great project!
Here's another orange longhood hotrod if you didn't see the article on flat sixes: http://www.accumoto.com/accumoto-911-0001/
This car is stunning in person. So much detail. Small displacement carb motor.
Here's another orange longhood hotrod if you didn't see the article on flat sixes: http://www.accumoto.com/accumoto-911-0001/
This car is stunning in person. So much detail. Small displacement carb motor.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 13
5 years ago, not an issue, but today, with A-List 2.2S cars selling for over $200K and Ts following close behind, destroying the originality of this car could be a $50K mistake.
3.2 engine conversion is not that easy... probably $15K by the time you are done (believe me I've written the checks), and will destroy the collector value of the car. Ditto a gearbox swap.
A concours restoration of this car is probably not viable, but a really sympathetic, period correct "R-Grouppe" hot rod may be.
My suggestion:
Rebuild the existing T engine to "S" specs with hi-comp pistons, cams and Weber/PMO carbs. This will give a solid 200HP.
Rebuild the 901 with close ratio gear on 2-5.
Add "S" Fuchs and a good suspension rebuild and you will have a very very quick car, and it will also maintain its collector car value.
3.2 engine conversion is not that easy... probably $15K by the time you are done (believe me I've written the checks), and will destroy the collector value of the car. Ditto a gearbox swap.
A concours restoration of this car is probably not viable, but a really sympathetic, period correct "R-Grouppe" hot rod may be.
My suggestion:
Rebuild the existing T engine to "S" specs with hi-comp pistons, cams and Weber/PMO carbs. This will give a solid 200HP.
Rebuild the 901 with close ratio gear on 2-5.
Add "S" Fuchs and a good suspension rebuild and you will have a very very quick car, and it will also maintain its collector car value.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
I certainly hear you on those counts.
I thought long and hard about how I wanted it and none of my decisions were supposed to make any sense, and they probably don't.
The upside is that I am hoping to own this car for a while and for the most part, continual evolution is what will keep me interested. Lack of evolution possibilities due to perfect originality on previously owned Porsches saw their early departure. The evolution one day may take it full circle back to the 2,2 and 901. My main aim here was to secure an all steel solid early chassis and from there just wing it. Point taken though.
I thought long and hard about how I wanted it and none of my decisions were supposed to make any sense, and they probably don't.
The upside is that I am hoping to own this car for a while and for the most part, continual evolution is what will keep me interested. Lack of evolution possibilities due to perfect originality on previously owned Porsches saw their early departure. The evolution one day may take it full circle back to the 2,2 and 901. My main aim here was to secure an all steel solid early chassis and from there just wing it. Point taken though.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
Great project!
Here's another orange longhood hotrod if you didn't see the article on flat sixes: http://www.accumoto.com/accumoto-911-0001/
This car is stunning in person. So much detail. Small displacement carb motor.
Here's another orange longhood hotrod if you didn't see the article on flat sixes: http://www.accumoto.com/accumoto-911-0001/
This car is stunning in person. So much detail. Small displacement carb motor.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
A bit more on the agreed specification.
All steel body. Original signal orange paint.
Rolled fenders to allow maximum wheel and tyre.
Has to sit low and mean
Rocker and bumper trim delete.
Early front bumper with fog apertures.
Chrome rear over riders.
Deep 6 Fuchs with scotchbrite finish.
Chrome flag mirrors, chrome horn grilles and chrome turn signal detail.
Silver rear grille and original PORSCHE and 911T lettering on the engine lid.
It's going to largely remain a standard looking narrow body 911 but present a bit of toughness in its stance.
Interior will be a light and airy 70's brown theme, leather ST or RS seats and side panels, German Squareweave carpets, light coloured roof lining.
The dash insert will be of my own design and so will the door furniture, made from Aluminium. Prototipo maybe.
It isn't going to be a bare metal resto, no dipping or e coating or anything like that. The budget is not limitless and as the shell needs only basic work and that awful gunmetal respray taken back, we can work with what is there.
Mechanically, as listed above. Number one priority is the ability to get in and drive anywhere anytime, hence the fresh EFI 3.2 and 915. Everything that moves will be refreshed or rebuilt. I plan to track it regularly and want 100% reliability. I'm done with being stranded and also swore I'd finished lying under cars years ago. I also have a shocking record of owning cars for five minutes so this one cannot be a garage queen that has its presence (and invested capital) questioned every time I walk by. There must be no excuses why I can't use it.
I'm not so much into the obvious or predictable but there are somethings that fall into that category that I like so will run with them shamelessly. Like rundenmeister clocks!
All steel body. Original signal orange paint.
Rolled fenders to allow maximum wheel and tyre.
Has to sit low and mean
Rocker and bumper trim delete.
Early front bumper with fog apertures.
Chrome rear over riders.
Deep 6 Fuchs with scotchbrite finish.
Chrome flag mirrors, chrome horn grilles and chrome turn signal detail.
Silver rear grille and original PORSCHE and 911T lettering on the engine lid.
It's going to largely remain a standard looking narrow body 911 but present a bit of toughness in its stance.
Interior will be a light and airy 70's brown theme, leather ST or RS seats and side panels, German Squareweave carpets, light coloured roof lining.
The dash insert will be of my own design and so will the door furniture, made from Aluminium. Prototipo maybe.
It isn't going to be a bare metal resto, no dipping or e coating or anything like that. The budget is not limitless and as the shell needs only basic work and that awful gunmetal respray taken back, we can work with what is there.
Mechanically, as listed above. Number one priority is the ability to get in and drive anywhere anytime, hence the fresh EFI 3.2 and 915. Everything that moves will be refreshed or rebuilt. I plan to track it regularly and want 100% reliability. I'm done with being stranded and also swore I'd finished lying under cars years ago. I also have a shocking record of owning cars for five minutes so this one cannot be a garage queen that has its presence (and invested capital) questioned every time I walk by. There must be no excuses why I can't use it.
I'm not so much into the obvious or predictable but there are somethings that fall into that category that I like so will run with them shamelessly. Like rundenmeister clocks!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
This resto is taking place in New Zealand.
Great place to live but somewhat isolated. Seems like you guys stateside can assemble fifty longhoods with half an hours notice. Not so here. 996 and onwards Porsches are abundant but the early cars never sold in any sort of numbers, in fact what we call NZ new (arrived here as new cars) are very rare, add in the imported used cars from the UK and USA and the numbers are still very small - you stand to attention if you see an early longhood cruise past.
Back when the Orange T came in from the states (mid 90's but I've yet to confirm that) most were converted to RHD. Mine thankfully escaped that fate, and I'm not sure how it did that as the rules were quite tight back then regarding the steering wheel on the wrong side. I quite like LHD, main reason is that it adds another dimension of maximum weirdness to enhance the early 911 experience.
Anyway, I am in touch with the previous owner who knows the extensive back history and also where it came from. I've yet to catch up with him, but looking forward to finding out which state it first resided.
The car is currently de registered - registration cancelled - due to the crash. NZ is a bit **** on compliance so the T will need to go through the ringer once finished and get re registered. It helps that it was registered here before. You can see from the compliance plate that the previous modifications needed to be listed and certified. I will be adding a few more modifications to that lot.
Great place to live but somewhat isolated. Seems like you guys stateside can assemble fifty longhoods with half an hours notice. Not so here. 996 and onwards Porsches are abundant but the early cars never sold in any sort of numbers, in fact what we call NZ new (arrived here as new cars) are very rare, add in the imported used cars from the UK and USA and the numbers are still very small - you stand to attention if you see an early longhood cruise past.
Back when the Orange T came in from the states (mid 90's but I've yet to confirm that) most were converted to RHD. Mine thankfully escaped that fate, and I'm not sure how it did that as the rules were quite tight back then regarding the steering wheel on the wrong side. I quite like LHD, main reason is that it adds another dimension of maximum weirdness to enhance the early 911 experience.
Anyway, I am in touch with the previous owner who knows the extensive back history and also where it came from. I've yet to catch up with him, but looking forward to finding out which state it first resided.
The car is currently de registered - registration cancelled - due to the crash. NZ is a bit **** on compliance so the T will need to go through the ringer once finished and get re registered. It helps that it was registered here before. You can see from the compliance plate that the previous modifications needed to be listed and certified. I will be adding a few more modifications to that lot.
Last edited by Maxem; Oct 8, 2014 at 06:57 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
The deep sixes have been knocked about a bit but are straight and original. I will prepare these myself for painting by the pro's. I don't see too much other than lots of effort to bring them back like new. There is a bit of pitting on the rim at the original paint edge to get out and a heap of curb rash and gouges.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ
Paint stripper first followed by a caustic bath to remove the anodizing.
Then a quick going over with Scotchbrite to test the finish I'm after. A little more work needed to remove the last of the dings and scratches prior to final finish and then paint.
I'm after a different black out edge than the factory immersion method. I want to show most of the unpainted lip and a bit more of the unpainted florets where they curve around and head towards the rim.
I'll run with no center caps I think.
Then a quick going over with Scotchbrite to test the finish I'm after. A little more work needed to remove the last of the dings and scratches prior to final finish and then paint.
I'm after a different black out edge than the factory immersion method. I want to show most of the unpainted lip and a bit more of the unpainted florets where they curve around and head towards the rim.
I'll run with no center caps I think.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 62
From: Auckland, NZ