EZEE Posted 30December, 2018 Report Share Posted 30December, 2018 Hi There, I thought I'd share a little light reading on the last day of the year. NYE might seem like a strange time to write about this but it seems apt for reasons that will become apparent. I first came to the forum back in 2016 via this main thread I received a lot of encouragement and advice from most people on here at the time. To quickly recap I had bought a '74 911 Targa over the internet sight unseen and when I got it was a little disappointed with its condition versus the price I had paid but still liked it as a model. First I tried to sell it to get my money back and look for a "better one" but that didn't work so then I thought I'll drop the price (I was willing to accept up to $20K less at one point) as I didn't have the time, patience or know on how to get this example up to "scratch" (everyone has a different definition here). Car still didn't sell but in the meantime I drove it a little and could now see why these cars are so adored. My driving experience is with Classic Alfa's and Ferrari's but this little car with the supposed unpopular engine and not too rigid body version was fun and I really liked it. So I thought "lets tidy the car up". I noticed the multiple oil leaks and gave the car to my mechanic to tidy up. This lead to a serious refurbishment of the engine, gearbox, clutch and so on. As I stated when I joined I am not too mechanically minded which is strange for a car collector but it was a decent amount of work. The car ran well but was tired. The performance and feel got even better after this but now but the interior was tired (It seemed more appropriate before) so I had it re- trimmed (forgot the door cards though, more on this after). It came back and it looked heaps better inside but now the body looked like it could need a touch up (someone pointed out the dirty/messy/rusty front edge as an example). So off the car went to a mates panel and paint shop at Artarmon (he is into Healey's) for what I thought would be a tidy up but ended up being a major overhaul. Rust was cut out in a lot of places, a whole door replaced, I think a front fender? (or was it the the headlight surrounds?), the stainless steel hoop refurbished (it had a mobile phone aerial in the middle!! new rubbers..... and on it went. I would send top up payments every couple of months or so and drop in now and again (he was working on the car mainly on weekends). I think it was there about 16 months. At one stage I had sort of forgotten about it until recently he said it was ready for pick up. I got it back a few weeks back, my mechanic picked it up and dropped it off at my garage but I didn't drive it until yesterday and wow! Call me a novice but it's awesome! Smooth gears, enough pull from the engine and a generally cool vibe put a real smile on my face while I took the wife for a coffee at Surry Hills. Hence why the post is today. I really like these cars So now that I have managed to do this "mini resto" (arse about mind you as I should have started with the body work if I had these intentions) that was really supposed to be a "tidy up" I want to finish the car off a little better. It still has a modern stereo and speakers in the rear (needs to go, did they have blanking plates for these stereos?), front door and rear cards I forgot to redo (can I get replacements?), dash needs tidy up, clock doesn't work, tyres are ancient (yeah I shouldn't really be driving on them) which brings me to wheels. These appear original but I prefer a different look (black inserts) so I might have these refurbished, store them and buy another set for general use. Could use advice on where to source different wheels. I am thinking of going to a specialist to have it finished off to save time (looking back I should have done this to begin with but we live and learn). Any NSW recommendations? (I am thinking of the obvious one mentioned often without any negative comments). For the record the car won't be for sale (gee some people can be painful when advertising cars. One person sent me an abusive text when I originally advertised the car saying it was worth $30K as an example and he knew the original owner - why bother?). Yes I have photo records of the body work and a full list of receipts for all work carried out so far. It and the 964 Cabrio will form the basis of my collection. What else can I add? I am looking to increase the collection now that I have caught the bug (I actually got my wife a 991 last year as a daily driver). I guess I am after what a lot of people appear to want: 964 manual, 993 manual, possibly the right 80's turbo (should have bough the brown one at Shannon's last year seemed like a good buy) or just a good example of an '82-88 coupe or an early car - so yes a wide wish list and not all at once either.Happy new year to everyone on here (I have lurked about and enjoy reading up on opinions, experiences and updates). I have attached a few photos to round out the conversation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 30December, 2018 Report Share Posted 30December, 2018 Nice Targa mate. Love the colour As for the other things you want done, most interior parts are available, or an upholsterer can redo them in a similar material. Other members here can advise who to use in NSW. Rims. If you want to keep it Porsche related, good replica Fuchs are available from various stockists like Classic Wheels Australia or Performance9 for around $2500. When you consider a restored original set would be double that, they're good value. The Cookie Cutter rims that are on it look fine to me, yet expect anywhere from $250-500 per rim to restore/paint. For originality (if that's what you prefer) I'd stick with either of those rims If you're a serious collector of good cars, there are a couple of very nice SC examples at Richmonds car sales here in Adelaide (among other marques), yet good cars there do sell reasonably quickly so they might be worth a call or look at their website http://richmonds.com.au/portfolio/1988-porsche-911-carrera/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Phil Posted 30December, 2018 Report Share Posted 30December, 2018 Looks great. Don't get rid of the wheels just paint the inserts black and leave the spokes silver. The fuch's set the car off and are in keeping with the period. Others here will show you examples of how the wheels should be painted. They're just too silver at the moment that is all that is wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalai Posted 30December, 2018 Report Share Posted 30December, 2018 Lovely car! Personally I like the all silver rims, as it ties in nicely with the silver Targa bar. 32 minutes ago, LeeM said: The Cookie Cutter rims that are on it look fine to me, yet expect anywhere from $250-500 per rim to restore/paint. For originality (if that's what you prefer) I'd stick with either of those rims. Might need a trip to the optometrists Lee. They are silver Fuchs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James P Posted 30December, 2018 Report Share Posted 30December, 2018 @EZEE They are wonderful cars & looking for good examples to ad to the collection is so much fun.. good luck with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Phil Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 @EZEE Stay connected. Another PFA member @MFX (Jeff) is about to start a restoration on an Alfa in a month or so. There are so many Alfa's in your photo above that I am sure Jeff will would be keen in your advice from time to time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 Love it, ezee. well done, good luck with what else you do to it. Big fan of the targa's and that one looks the goods.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 Nice collection. I will be starting my '73 GTV build in a couple of months (need to finish my 240z and 911 first). Keen to see some of the other cars in your collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 2 hours ago, Dalai said: Might need a trip to the optometrists Lee. They are silver Fuchs... Ofcourse I knew that...Just testing the powers of observation to other members...probably Mental note. Don't leave glasses in the car 🤓😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick V Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 Congrats @EZEE , great looking Targa. That (French?) blue suits that model perfectly & is my favorite 70’s Porsche colour. I can totally relate to the lines ‘I dropped it to a mates paint & panel shop’ & ‘at times I forgot about it’.... I did exactly the same with a ‘71 mustang convertible I imported this time last year, & its still being ‘worked on’. If it wasn’t for my darling wife periodically asking if the ‘Stang is ready, I’d have forgotten I have one! I agree with @Lucky Phil - keep these wheels but get them painted out. Awesome list of cars to add to the collection, but if you want to come to the dark side (water cooled!) nothing will put that porsche smile on your face like a 996GT3 (ok, I am totally biased). Happy motoring in the Targa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveF Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 Loving the blue. It looks amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZEE Posted 31December, 2018 Author Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 Great replies and advice - so many and so quick! ......need to help get things ready for NYE here at home so not much time today. btw - Car colour is named as "Bahama Blue" in the books if I am not mistaken?.....Car came with lots of older invoices and original booklet, I'll need to dig them out soon. Yes there are a few ALFA's there..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted 31December, 2018 Report Share Posted 31December, 2018 "Bahama Blue" is a cool colour and it does look like it ,,beautiful example ..........congratulations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydr Posted 1January, 2019 Report Share Posted 1January, 2019 Greatly enjoyed your tale, well done, the car looks brilliant. I agree with an earlier post that the wheels look 'correct' for the car and probably are the original Fuchs, which would've come on the car but with the centres painted black. On most cars. Mine came from the factory with the wheels colour coded to the car paint and this might be another option for you mull over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troubleshooter Posted 1January, 2019 Report Share Posted 1January, 2019 Good post Ezee, love the blue suits it well... keep the rims and do the blackout imo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastr Posted 1January, 2019 Report Share Posted 1January, 2019 I say paint the centres black and run those wheels. A 74 is a great year for the targas with the brightwork and stainless roll hoop. Not long after they went all black trim and targa hoop. For radio, look into a period look modern replacement - something like this retrosound would work with a black fascia and black knobs. https://www.retromanufacturing.com/products/1965-74-porsche-911-san-diego-radio?variant=46102486414 . You might also find some original black speaker covers and cover up the modern speakers. Might as well keep the modern speaker sound if you can hide them behind some period covers - just get the old door cards re-upholstered. I would also look at fitting an aftermarket muffler if you like a little growl - with the targa top off that would make the car a bit more enjoyable. On the 2nd car front I would suggest driving a 993 if that is in budget - will have a completely different feel and look to the targa and is going to be a rock solid long term buy in terms of holding/increasing in value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WB997.2GTS Posted 1January, 2019 Report Share Posted 1January, 2019 If you are looking for period radios, try Soundlabs right here in Aus, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZEE Posted 30August, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 30August, 2019 It has been a while since an update. AH did a fantastic job on a lot of the things that were still left to do and I got the car back a little while ago. In the end I didn't leave the wheels in chrome/polished I preferred the new look, re-did the TARGA top and it looks fabulous, tidied up a LOT of loose ends and am now trying to put some km's on the newly rebuilt engine. Harder than it sounds when time is short. Funny thing is there still seems a lot to do - new door cards anyone? Thankfully most of the to-do's left are smallish. Here are a few pictures, one is next to the wife's 991 in our home garage (remember I was/am originally an Italian car guy). cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tips Posted 30August, 2019 Report Share Posted 30August, 2019 Looks awesome love the earlier narrow body. As you say, you need to get out and drive it more to really appreciate the work you have put in. We do need a Syd SMT towards the back end of this month as the last one I did was May 🙄. I know there are some recent purchases in town that need to get out and certainly if your available make sure you bring the Targa. Will post an EOI for dates over the weekend, keep an eye out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZEE Posted 31August, 2019 Author Report Share Posted 31August, 2019 Thanks for the invite I’ll keep an eye out! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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