1976 Porsche 912 build with 993 motor swap by freedomperiod

9 minute(s) of a 253 minute read

Freedom any way to tell is this was a real one?

Looks real to me from the shape of the flares. Everything else is spot on, however there's no real way to tell from a photo (barring pics of VIN).

It could be a perfect clone. There are lots of them out there.

I think the way to tell is by touch (if you can't see the VIN). The real RS was made of thinner sheet metal (for weight saving) than the standard Carrera. Gently tapping or knocking around the body with your fingers (is a good way to get shot or arrested) might be the best way to tell, if you can't see the documentation.

Otherwise, if someone actually modded a real '73 Carrera to RS spec, it could look the same, right down to the engine.

Looking at the gear shifter to see if it was a type 901 gearbox or type 915 wouldn't be reliable either, because a real '73 RS can have an upgraded gearbox. There were also exhaust differences among real RSs, so you can't really go by that either.

The thinness of the sheet metal would be best way to determine if it's real (aside from the docs and VIN) IMO. 

Something like this would obviously be much easier....

No need to get closer than a few hundred yards. Wrong wheels, wrong headlight trim, almost- but not quite right flares, wrong window trim, black door handles, faux oil cooler looks suspect, wrong rocker, seats look suspect.

Absesnce of Carrera script and stripes don't really count, but are suspicious. This car below is a real '73 RS. Mirrors don't count either. Some had round mirrors, others rectangular, some had one, others two. The RS Touring cars often came with the rubber bumper mouldings as seen below.

There is significant variation in types of exhaust/ tailpipes as well. Some even had a sunroof.

I think it's pretty hard to tell a decent clone from the real thing at a glance, but some you can spot instantly. A really good RS clone would be impossible to tell apart from the real RS just by visual inspection. You'd have to knock the windshield and body panels, or see the VIN.

There are a few exterior details that will make it easy to tell that my car isn't a '73 RS.

1. The oil lines: The ones on a real RS are metal tubes.
2. The width of the wheels: Although I've got the right diameter, the real RSs came with 15x6 (f) and 15x7 (r), or 15x7 (f) and 15x8 (r). Even though the RS flare was made to accomodate a 9" wide wheel (on the track), I've never seen or heard of one delivered with this option. My car will have 15x8 (f) and 15x9 (r). I need the extra rubber.
3. Knocking the front fenders of my car gives a knuckle on plastic sound.
4. One look at the interior through the glass, and you can instantly see it's not a '73 RS

• 
  If I wanted a perfect RS clone, I'd have made one... right down to the engine. I want only the shape, proportions and lightness of the '73 RS. I don't mind departing from the old school when it comes to the drivetrain.
  
  As to the interior, a retro "feel" is good enough for me.
  
  3/17/2012
  
  

A 9" flare does indeed barely cover a 9" wheel. I was so worried it wasn't going to fit under there, because the 9 x 15's I found had a strange offset. 

I can't decide on wheel finish. Everybody at the shop loves this polished finish. I need to get a set of 8's polished for the front in that case.

I originally intended to go with the more painstaking process of having them annodized in a more traditional RS finish. ...plus 2 8's for the front, to match.

The car will definitely come together faster if I just stay with the polished. The annodizing process takes 2-3 weeks.

I just don't know  All I know is that I want silver

3/27/2012

Part 2 off to a slow start. Sorry about that. Always something comes up...  At least the flares are handled.

When it finally comes together, it'll happen fast. 

I made the big decision to go with annodized wheels. Undoing the polished finish (+ annodize x 4) is going to take 3 weeks

Fortunately, my (356/Ruf/early 911/2 tribute) green faced gauges are back from the shop! These started life as '86 Carrera gauges. I decided to eliminate the chrome outer bezel. 

From the driver's point of view, I find the chrome outer bezels to be too distracting from the gauges themselves... especially at speed. With the black outer bezel, my eye zeros in on the gauge better.

I went with side by side temp and oil pressure gauges (vs. over/under). 

All old Porsches have regular lights for backlighting of the gauges. I went with LED lights. It was a last minute decision. I hope it was the right one. I hope they look good when they come on! 

I figure they have to be better than those old bulbs that turn yellow over time. I thought LED backlights would tie together the digital-ness of the Becker's screen. We'll see (pardon the punn).

There's also the matter of the rightmost gauge. I was going to use the Mig clock. Then I lost it. 

After that, I picked up another one on EBay for under $200. In the process, the lost Mig clock was found. Trouble is, that the winding spring is busted on one, and the other doesn't run. It's a shame that I went through so much trouble (had to get a Geiger counter) and I still can't use a Mig clock. 

Here are my 2 busted Mig clocks...

I still have a few things that are good alternatives to the Mig clock. This is a 912 Outside Temp gauge. I had it made to match my gauge set (also with LED).. 

It would certainly be apropos, regarding the cars history.

I can sell the Mig clocks on EBay and keep the 912 OT gauge... or vice versa. 

I'm not sure how much a broken clock is worth, but it's right twice a day. With 2 clocks, you can be right 4x per day. It's win-win really.

Anywho, there's always the damn factory clock. Got one of those too (also with LED).

Got these as an option as well.

..In case the clear ones don't look right.

3/28/2012

Ok decision made. Outside temp gauge it is! That's even extra cool because it's from a 912. Perfect fit. Perfect match. LED equipped already.

I will look for Rally timers for glovebox door instead.

Gonna put the Mig clocks back up on EBay. If anybody wants them, PM me. I'd be willing to exchange them both for a $50 donation to either March of Dimes or Memorial Sloan Kettering.

More pics coming soon..