This 1977 Porsche 911 is, like many others, suffering from the lingering side effects of having been a cheap, old sports cars for many years before every air-cooled 911 shot up in value. What we see here is a car that was once the cheapest of the cheap, the most undesirable of the 911 family, used as a rolling art sculpture by someone who clearly watched too much Miami Vice. Now? It’s offered for nearly $50,000 here on eBay and is said to run and drive great. The question is, do you buy it and use it as is as a sort of artifact to past styling trends, or try and bring it back to stock condition?
To me, there’s a certain awesomeness to seeing a car that was clearly modified in-period, even if it means it kills off some of its value. It’s like uncovering a fossil, reminding us that those vehicles we currently cherish and hoist up as borderline art pieces were once fairly disposable. If they weren’t quite disposable, we weren’t bothered by distorting their originality, even if it came at the cost of messing with the bodywork. As a malaise-era Targa model, this 911 was definitely bottom of the heap at one time, and that’s why it’s hardly a surprise to see cheap aftermarket wheels bolted on along with the mildly offensive body kit.
It’s clear the modifications didn’t stop at the bodywork, with an interior that has clearly been given the custom look and feel as well. Truthfully, this isn’t too bad and is borderline well done based on the coordination with the door panels. Still, we all know originality counts these days, and the next owner of this 911 likely would return this back to a standard black interior (or whatever the COA says.) Still, is there a possibility that this 911 could be made better in its existing form? Is there a scenario where with the right wheels and some modest improvements inside, the bodywork modifications can be tolerated?
One of the biggest issues is the goofy stance, the totally wrong wheels (that belong on a Chevelle), and the stock suspension. If this 911 were lowered on a period-correct set of BBS wheels, the whole package might be more compelling. It’s also short work for a motivated seller to make those improvements so the car has a chance of selling at the asking price. With around 150-160 horsepower, these were not particularly quick, so I’d either plan for a full build with the aforementioned changes made and an obnoxious engine, or to bring this car back to stock condition provided the bodywork can be tweaked without dramatic re-construction. Which path would you take?
Use your advice on the stance and the wheels and hit the road. There has to be thousands of modified 911s and most of them would not be good candidates for turning back to stock. Considering how long it took for me to fit and weld on wider fender flairs it would take longer to go back to original. Got well paid for those kinds of modifications and would charge even more to take them off.
It may be UGLY,but it sure is UGLY!
Why would someone do these things to
a car like this?
It was a 1980s thing. Ya had to be there to appreciate it.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/car-design/g15051766/gemballa-porsche-911-photos/
Nice link to see the history. Thanks.
I WAS there,& I DON’T appreciate it.
Those wheels, as with all 3 spoke wheels, are hideous. These were popular with street rods or fad builds, typically monochromatic pastels that had a multi colored lightening bolt style of graphic that started as around the front of the door running horizontally towards the back which doubled back in an upward manner, finishing with one last change of direction towards the rear taillight panel high up on the quarter panel. The worst of which had an unimaginative car name attached to it.
These wheels are good for scrap only.
Steve R
Remember the sine wave/seismograph type graphics of the late 80s? OMG that was awful. …and the splat paint jobs? lol
For one wheel of my 2001 Carrera 4 i paid 1,200€ around 2015. My wheel and tire agent went nuts and said to me that with this money he could give me 4 excellent wheels. Porsche can give you any original part from any year but the cost is very high.
Nothing goes out of fashion faster than wheels and a close second would be graphics.
And those awful billet aluminum steering wheels.
Mike, you are right. There is one common thread for wheels that have a timeless appeal, they tend to have 5 holes or spokes. Torque Trusts, Cragar SS’s, most dish/slot mags, Chevy and Pontiac Rally wheels, various offshoots of Magnum 500’s, or simplistic designs as Cragar Super Tricks, Centerline Autodrags Weld Drag Lites, chrome reverse rims.
Steve R
And those awful billet aluminum steering wheels.
Nothing can save this car. It’s a Targa and a slantnose Targa is just wrong. But in prep for sale I’d have put on some reproduction Fuchs wheels at least, and sorted out the stance.
Been trying to place those headlights in the fascia, and just not able to nail ‘em down.
Anyone?
Early Chevy Cavalier?
Corrado?
This is simply an abomination! Do not stop, run away.
The 1980s called. They want their 911 back.
Ended with no takers.