I currently have a 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider as a garage companion for my 997 Carrera S. My Alfa is going to need some body work that I don't feel like investing in, although I love the car!

I'm thinking of getting myself an early 70s 911 that has already been fixed up.

Where is a good place to educate myself on those, and any recommendations for which years / models are most desirable (but still affordable). I like the idea of Steve McQueen's 911S from Le Mans, but assume those have risen too much in value already.

How much should I be budgeting?

Thanks
Nick

 

I've been searching for exactly the same thing for around 9 months, I don't want a 911T so an S or E. a good S goes for 70k or so and E's can be had for 40k and up. You can find poor ones or ones that are heavily modified with turbo look bodywork or bigger engines for much less, but it would be a big hassle to bring them to original spec.

After much consideration I have decided that in order to get the spirit of early 911 air cooled and reasonably lightweight cars, but more reliable, easier to fix and find parts for and with a much lower price a 1984-89 911 Carrera 3.2 will meet my needs.

Good luck.

 

Another thing to consider is an early 912. The 912 has the long hood look you are going for, the 1969 version has the long wheel base, even.

While it doesn't have the power of an S, it is significantly lighter. There is upwards of 200 pounds less weight, with much of it removed from the rear axle, so the car actually handles much better than a comparable 911 as well.

The real kicker is... While a 911S is around 70, and an E is pushing 40+, an excellent driving 912 will only set you back about 10 grand. It's such a great little car, I love them.

 

Good choice.....and if you really like the looks of the early 70s 911s, it's relatively easy to backdate the front and rear bumpers to have the "look".
Here's my '87 that was backdated.....recently sold to a fellow 6speeder :-(

 

That's really nicely done!

 

Here's your best source for information..... http://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/

 

Nick, I'm no expert but if you look at the body style of the pre-74 models, they don't have the large black bumperettes in the rear that I assume were required on American cars. I personally think those models look much better.

 

pelicanparts another good source of info

 

I went to the Northeast Mountain Melee with the early 911 guys and now I have to have one, too. So I am in the middle of researching all this and +1 to Pelican and the Early911S registry forums mentioned above. As I looked, I realized that there are two basic categories in the community -- "stock" car owners who will realize gains in the collector market and hot-rodders that mod their cars. To me the coolest thing is a car modded with period components, although some guys are dropping in SC engines which gives enormous power relative to such a light car. I personally like a faster car and more of a sports purpose (in the parlance), so I am planning on getting one of the hotrods. These cars will not appreciate like the bone stock cars, but the only bone stock car that would be fast enough for me (after having driven several in both categories) is the "S" and any good one is well north of $70k at this point. You can get a screaming hot rod for $40k from what I have heard. It's all good, cause they're all Porsches!

 

One of my Porsche books tells me the 1974 model year had 4 models to choose from; T, E and S, along with the top of the line 'Carerra' with the wide body look and whale tail.

I saw one just theother day and am trying to reaearch it. It's even a Cabriolet. Seems like it's got fiberglass panels, but I think they even had them stock back then.

Anybody know about these?

Nick

 

In reply to NYNick:

In 1974 there was no convertible, as the convertible was not introduced until 1983. It is likely a Targa with the targa bar cut out. I've seen this before, and there is even one for sale local to me right now.

Also, there would not have been any fiberglass body panels on a "stock" 911.

 

Sub'd

 

My Porsche Indie tells me that the best OLD Porsche is the one that was produced and built as a result of the Japanese KanBan manufacturing project at Porsche. And that he says is the 993. Just for what it is worth :-)

 

The 993 certainly has the greatest quality of any aircooled 911. They are phenomenal cars, both to own, and to drive.

However, there is nothing quite like the feeling of a 2 liter longhood. Exceptional experience!

 

Obviously this car is a real bastardization of many peoples past mistakes. Thanks for your reply.

Nick