Somebody at work has what sounds like a nice 1-weekend project 1968 912 for sale that has been garage kept the last 5 years, which I am considering. This has the gas tank out, as I believe it was cleaned, and needs a master cylinder, which he has. He says the floor is solid, but there are two spots of surface rust, one on the hood and I forget where the other is. Also it is painted yellow instead of the original orange. It sounds to be very original, down to the tools and papers and owner's manual as well as shop manual. The price makes it well worth considering.

I was going to pass on the deal until he mentioned that it also has the original A/C in it (non-op). I was skeptical, thinking that was not an option at the time but my research tells me that it was. I am in the desert, so this is a must as I would use it as a daily driver for work (35 miles a day).

My questions are as follows:

1) Has anybody here tried the Rennaire kits for this type of car? I know the original units are worthless out here.

2) I have read that this car is best off with the '69 or newer suspension. What parts are these, and how difficult is it to do?

3) I understand these cars came with some bad smog equipment. Is it easy to remove this, and would it benefit performance?

4) Would the color of the car affect the value? I was thinking that if I repaint it, I would like silver.

Are there any other issues that I have not mentioned here which I should look out for?

TIA,

Neil

 

I would take your questions to the 912registy.org, there is great knowledge over there.

Michael

 

1. A 69 suspension will not fit a '68!
2. Smog equipment is usless and it impedes the engine performance and is should be disconneceted however do not dispose of the equipment it is worth a lot to those who want to do a concourse restoration. Changning it out is not too dificult but it is easier to just block it off.
3. The '68 is smog exempt in California so don't worry about it.
If you do buy the car I suggest that you join the 912 Registry because we can give you a lot of guidance with this project.
4. Color of the car does not add value unless it is the original factory paint.

philip 912 registry member

 

what phillip said, however, the front suspension from later cars will fit. quite a few people have late 70s/early 80s 911 SC front ends on theirs. but to do this you need to replace the whole front end. a arms, tortion bars, struts, steering rack, hubs, brakes, etc.. the complete front end. really not worth it imho. the stock front end is really not bad at all. just refresh the bushings, new koni's and a good alignment and corner balance, and you'll be happy as a clam. maintenence and proper replacement of worn parts makes a world of difference.

 

Thank you all for your responses. I went back and re-read what I misinterpreted to be a statement regarding suspension problem on the early 911/912's. This was a tech question regarding the bumper weights in excellence a couple of months ago. I now see that they were stating the evolution of the design, specifically an early problem with ball joints that they mistook for a light front end.

I am still on the fence re: buying the car. I think the seller is getting impatient, though he said he is in no rush to sell it. If I pass on this $2k deal I have a friend who is eager to pick it up, and I would be all too eager to assist. Wife wants me to sell the truck first, so that means rushing to finish the home improvements.

 

2k for a 912? is it solid? if so id ****** it up in a heart beat. i wouldnt mind having a good parts car, just to have spares.

 

He says it is solid, but I have yet to see for myself. It does seem possible since this is Southern California and we are in the desert, though I don't know the car's full history. If I were to get it now, it would mean parking a vehicle on the street, which we want to avoid due to some recent break-ins.

 

Fuggedabout the history. At this age what a mechanic might have or might not have done or who owned it and what oil he used means nothing. Present Condition is 100% of it's value base. Look at the car and if it is not made from compresed rust 20% bondo and is all there and runs at all, buy it. you can allways resell it. No such thing as a one weekend 912 or 911 or 944 ect. Only way yoyu have a one weekend car is if you pick one of the many weekends you will spend tinkering on it. This is not a daily driver it is and will always be a weekend tinker toy to have fun with on the road and in the driveway. If you are not handy or don't want to be pass on it and let someone who is have a stab at it. If all work needed is done by a paid pro it will suck you dry of $ in short order just getting it sorted out and keeping it running. If you go at it right it could be a lot of fun.

68 is the low point in 912 motors but not anything that is a deal killer at $2K.

 

I agree, current condition is everything. prominance doesnt mean squat unless it has race history or used to belong to someone of high importance in porsche or sports car history.

yeah but a complete car can be a decent deal at 2k. spare fenders, spare windows, spare hood, bumpers, doors, along with a spare engine -providing it hasnt been killed my a numbskull previous owner. wouldnt be a bad move, for someone who would like a parts car (for spares like myself), or to sell parts on ebay.

 

At $2k jump on it and store it in a storage lot! I've spent more than $2k on new weatherstripping and misc new chrome...

Phil '68 912 3 year restoration.

 

Thanks, I'm going to try to see it this weekend. I was just trying to determine its likely condition through its history, since I have not seen it yet. If it had spent much time in the northeast, for example, I would expect a bit more rust.

I was really more referring to one weekend to get it on the road, though I am really much lazier that that these days. That would be a brake hoses and master cylinder, valve adjustment, gaskets, battery, and fuel hoses (put the gas tank back in). I know it would need much more work than that, just from it sitting so long, but if I could get it moving under its own power in short order it would make the car seem less like a garage ornament.

Kurt, are you saying these don't make good daily drivers? If so, why?

 

i cant speak for Kurt, but from my own experience i can say the following:

these cars are old. they need constant supervision and maintenence to ensure they are in tip top running condition -like an airplain, they should be looked at and examined with a once go around every time they are driven. granted, if you have really gone through everything and rebuild or replaced alot of the vitals (brakes, engine, fuel and oil systems) you have less to worry about. some use them as daily drivers, but they have thuroughly gone through everything and do maintenence like no one else. that is not to say they are not relieble. they are extremely reliable as long as you are proactive and take care of items before they need to be replaced.

i am currently using mine as a daily driver for a few weeks while my mom borrows my 85 325E. it has had the engine rebuilt by duane spencer to very similar specs that kurt has, and has carbs remanufactured by Harry Bieker. I have about 30 min commute each way to work. i love to drive it, but it does get tiring to drive it every day because its a very physical car to drive. maybe im just young and dont know any better because ive mostly driven automatcics with power steering and everything in my 25 years of existance. also keep in mind these cars have a finite life. expect engines to last 100-150K before needing a rebuild. using it as a daily driver.. that means about 10 years between rebuilds give or take. with rebuilds currently going for 7500-10K a pop (depending on how mild or wild) thats a lot of dough. (and most of that cost is machine work and parts!!!).

also note i drive mine on long road trips and back road club driving tours and a few auto-xs every year. including three cross country road trips from ohio to southern california in the last 3 years.. i am always on top of mine, but i have always had some issues come up during my road trips, even after i had a full rebuild last year! stuff happens and murphy loves to haunt old cars.

BUT they can be good daily drivers if you are good enough to keep on top of everything, but it requres you to be on top of everything. face it, these cars are not hondas that you can drive forever and never think of chaning the oil on. these cars are 41-34 years old.

btw Kurt, i dont know if i have mentioned it before or enough, but you are truely an inspiration, and the basis for alot of stuff on my car.

 

What Harry said.

They are archaic cars and short on most modern comforts and mechanical improvements like computer controlled injection and the like. We have come to expect the car to start and drive just right regardless of heat or cold and to do so for 100,000 miles with only oil and an odd belt or two. Even when 912s were new or at least not 36+ years old they needed some tinkering from time to time. Valve adjustments, setting the timing and points and the like. Just tonight I got around to replacing the points and condenser in the dizzy with a "pointless" ignitor.

On the other hand.

#1 they are fun as all get out to drive.

#2 they are fun as all get out to drive.

#3 see #1.

You don't feel like you are encased in a high tech compute.r built with 16 plastic cup-holders. luxo conveyance. With a 912 or same year 911 you feel like you are sitting in a nuts and bolts machine and can see, feel, hear, smell and control the machinations that make it go. All old cars have the same "old car smell" Not a bad kind of smell at all but good reminder that you are driving around in something that is offentimes older than many of the other drivers around you. Once or twice a week when you pick, driving cool old cars adds much to life. Every day, like it or not hot, cold, raining, snowing, a late model plain old car starts sounding good. One good thing is that you can using only common tools, a little general know how and a good 912 service book, keep one running. This cannot be said of modern cars and I wonder how many 2006 cars will be restored or even still running in 35 years?

Harry, I think you are to be looked up to around here not me. You are always helpful and well informed in this forum and are one of few that actually drive your 912 around a lot.
BTW finished up a full crank out rebuild and am heading to Watkins Glen this weekend. Will take some pix. As Pellow often said "Keep the faith!" Yea it was for 356s but we still have the motor...

 

This seems like an oxymoron. BUT for 2k sounds like there are a lot of good parts there. "There is nothing more expensive than a cheep Porsche." Keep that in mind.

 

I agree with most of what Hoffman 912 said but I have to say I see no reason you can't drive a 912 every day. You are right they need attention whereas any non- computer controlled black box modern vehicle does not. But if you are a "car guy" and don't mind getting you hands dirty the 912 is simple enough that, as was stated, you can work on it without a laptop and a tool box full of specialty tools. I have never owned a new vehicle in my 35 years of driving. And I have often bought cars that had been sitting for many years that made excellent daily drivers. But you DO HAVE TO HAVE THE PATIENCE AND TIME AND MECHANICAL SKILLS to keep the thing running. Even at $8000 to rebuild the motor in ten years, what would you have spent on interest and payments on a new car that will be almost worthless in ten years? I always tell people that even if this car costs me $2000.00 a year it's still cheaper than a new car considering payments and intrest. And of course let's not loose sight of the fun factor. Not to mention the pride in the fact that you keep this thing going with your own two hands.