Project: 1976 911S

[ScottyB]

i thought the 911's had a throttle pedal that pivoted from the floor instead of hanging down from the dash? i've just heard something that it takes some getting used to, but maybe i'm thinking of something different.

[BLINGMW]

that's what the 2002 has, I didn't find they took much getting used to. Well, you might have to get used to the throttle pedal coming disconnected from the floor and falling over during agressive maneuvers, but hey. :dunno:

[Apoc]

Well, yeah, the bottom is permanently affixed to the floor... I just never really thought of them as "floor mount" like the below. The 944 had the same style and I didn't really notice any difference. The fact that I had completely different seating position and shoes might have played a role, so I'll tell you when I actually get to drive the 911.

[Apoc]

Thoughts on reverting back to a chrome right side mirror? They didn't offer a right hand mirror in left hand drive markets, so really the only option is to source one from overseas or buy a repro. All of them, stock or repro, are chrome. Rather than try to match paint on a new mirror, I'm considering reverting the left one back to chrome.

[JustinG]

Would painting the mirrors black be sacrilege? If you are planning to do black wheels I don't think black mirrors would be out of place. Otherwise I'd pass on the chrome and have the passenger mirror painted to match, but I really don't like chrome on anything.

[CaptainHenreh]

If you had the chrome headlight ring the chrome mirrors might not look out of place, but with the mirrors being the only chrome thing on the car, I'm not wild about the idea.

[JustinG]

Just read where some guys use these "aero" mirrors from later model porsches. Apparently the use the same holes? May wanna do more research.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=964-731-901-02-OEM&catalog_description=Porsche%20Aero%20Mirror%20Kit%2C%20Manual%20%28NOTE%3A%20Mirror%20glass%20not%20included%20with%20kit%29%2C%20%39%31%31%20Carrera%20%32%2F%34%20%28%31%39%38%39%2D%39%38%29%2C%20%39%31%31%20Turbo%20%28%31%39%38%39%2D%39%38%29%20">http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/sma ... 9%38%29%20</a><!-- m -->

These look cool too.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/509254-flag-mirrors-gone-welcome-vitaloni-sebring-mach-1-mirror.html">http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche- ... irror.html</a><!-- m -->

[D_Eclipse9916]

Just read where some guys use these "aero" mirrors from later model porsches. Apparently the use the same holes? May wanna do more research.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=964-731-901-02-OEM&catalog_description=Porsche%20Aero%20Mirror%20Kit%2C%20Manual%20%28NOTE%3A%20Mirror%20glass%20not%20included%20with%20kit%29%2C%20%39%31%31%20Carrera%20%32%2F%34%20%28%31%39%38%39%2D%39%38%29%2C%20%39%31%31%20Turbo%20%28%31%39%38%39%2D%39%38%29%20">http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/sma ... 9%38%29%20</a><!-- m -->

Good find! I am particular to these or keeping the car the way it is now. Who needs mirrors?

[davej]

the chrome mirror look has grown on me, but maybe that's just because i've been brainwashed by people paying stupid money to get the aluminium mirror housings on the s4. at first i thought they looked like dumbo ears on my car, but now i kinda like it.

[Apoc]

I tend to agree about the chrome ring on the headlights, but I wanted to see if everyone arrived at the same conclusion. I can't see putting on the aero mirrors as I'm not sure they match the older styling of the car. I've also seen the huge flag mirrors on this car and I think that looks awful.

Good find! I am particular to these or keeping the car the way it is now. Who needs mirrors?

I'm fine with the way it is, but Washington requires a mirror on both sides if you want to put tint on the windows. Do I NEED tint? No, not really. It does wonders for protecting the interior thought. Well, that and I haven't had a car in 18 years without it. :-D

[WRXtranceformed]

I love this car, awesome acquisition! Color is sweeeet. I personally would color match the mirror, I can't see it being a ton of $ to do, and you could literally drop it off at a shop for a day or two.

[Apoc]

Reposted from: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://chris.derecola.com/2013/03/911s-first-impression/">http://chris.derecola.com/2013/03/911s- ... mpression/</a><!-- m -->
There's also a fairly boring movie there, if you're interested.

Yesterday turned out to be an awesomely sunny day, so I spent about two hours driving it in/around Seattle. It’s definitely a COMPLETELY different experience than driving any modern car. It’s loud, but not obnoxious, and not having a radio will be something worth getting used to. The high sidewall tires are very noticeable at high speeds, and while it can be somewhat of a rough ride in the city streets, it’s surprisingly comfortable at highway speeds.

The seating position is pretty far forward, for both driver and passenger. I’m probably going to look into getting the rails moved an inch or two back; this appears doable without any real trouble. There is absolutely no need for a passenger side mirror with all the glass, I just have to remember to look all the way around instead of looking for a mirror. I will still probably source one and have it painted so I can put tint on the windows (WA law).

The pedals are indeed floor mount and they take some serious getting used to. The clutch is pretty soft, but it’s in such a position that you’re letting it out with your heel of the floor, so it’s all muscle and no leverage. If you aren’t really paying attention, it will try and catapult your foot off the pedal. I’ve had this happen a few times but surprisingly, the car hasn’t stalled. Interestingly, I haven’t stalled the car at all. You really have to stand on the brake if you want to stop quickly or if you’re descending one of Seattle’s many steep hills. It’s much more mechanical than other cars I’ve driven; I like it. The gas pedal doesn’t really feel that much different than anything I’m used to.

The car is much quicker than I thought it would be. I guess that’s what you get when the car is 1000 lbs less than the behemoth Legacy. The wheelbase is also 16″ shorter, so you can easily perform u-turns in the middle of city streets. By comparison, the Legacy sometimes has trouble doing them at intersections. All around, it’s a surprisingly good city car. I welcome that, despite not buying it for that reason.

Then there’s the attention you get. People definitely look and the way they do ranges from trying not to be obvious out the corner of their eye to full on staring with small head nods. There are also honks from guys in old jeeps, a friendly wave to/from a guy getting out of his VW Karmann Ghia and the guy who said “Your Porsche is perfect, man” while were drove through Pike Place Market. Yeeeeaaahhhh, I drove it through the market. It’s actually the first time I’ve done that and something I’d probably reserve for this car. I acknowledge people and despite driving such an obvious car, try to do it as modestly as possible.

[Steve85]

Love it. I don't know if colors like that just don't work on modern cars or if OEMs are afraid of offending any potential buyer, but it's sooo great on this car. And yeah, it's nice to drive and just listen to cars like these sometimes.

[Apoc]

Happened across this today. I think he does a better job than I summing up driving it.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/11/review-1976-porsche-911s-2-7/">http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/1 ... -911s-2-7/</a><!-- m -->

[SlimKlim]

Is that your actual car? If so that's pretty awesome that there happens to be an article about it. If not, how many resto-modded green 911s are there?

Article is a great read, really makes me miss working at Martin's and being around them all the time. I thought it was interesting he said the clutch was featherlight. I've driven a lot of the 86ish-89 911s and 930s and those clutches have the weight of a small moon. I also thought his commentary on the trans was interesting. In all the ones I've driven you have to consciously take the shifter OUT of gear, then insert it firmly into the next one, simply pulling back from 3rd to 4th results in a loud "thunk" as it drops into neutral and then a synchro-crunch as it hits the next gear. My boss used to call it the "money clunk."

I'd love to own a 993 one day, its the perfect combination of old school technology with more modern ergonomics and drivability. But even I know not to buy one of those unless you can pay someone to fix it for you.

[Apoc]

The car came from Ohio and everything is identical, down to the shift knob, radio delete, RS door panels and green radiator fan... so I have to assume it is.

The clutch is pretty lightweight, but if you aren't paying attention the lever action will throw your foot back and disengage. The most difficult gear is definitely 1st. You usually have to go into second before it will go into first, or risk the sound of an impending bear attack. You also have to be very deliberate going from 1st to 2nd, or you will get the thunk coming out of first.

[SlimKlim]

The car came from Ohio and everything is identical, down to the shift knob, radio delete, RS door panels and green radiator fan... so I have to assume it is.

The clutch is pretty lightweight, but if you aren't paying attention the lever action will throw your foot back and disengage. The most difficult gear is definitely 1st. You usually have to go into second before it will go into first, or risk the sound of an impending bear attack. You also have to be very deliberate going from 1st to 2nd, or you will get the thunk coming out of first.

Yeah I've noticed that with a lot of the older clutches. It takes very little effort to hold the clutch all the way down, but the spring kicks in when you start to engage it and adds another 50lbs of pressure all of a sudden. Tons of people would come to tire kick and test drive the older 911s when we had them for less than $20k, and they'd inevitably stall the shit out of it 3 times, collect their pride up off the floor and leave without buying it.

[Jake]

Apoc, I sorta-kinda know Jack Baruth. Want me to put you guys in touch so you can find out more about the car or anything?

[Apoc]

Sure. I'd mostly like to find the previous owner, since it sounds like he was the one that restored it. I have receipts, but they're scans, and not much else. His contact info, in case I have any questions, certainly couldn't hurt.

[ScottyB]

lol, that was Baruth's car? explains the color perfectly considering he also drove this at one point. custom ordered porsche green:



the 911 can actually pull it off though.