1973 911 E RHD - Gemini Blue

Tp81 · Post by **Tp81** » Thu May 29, 2014 11:04 pm

Not really sure where to start with this, other than a few pictures of where I am going. 1973 Porsche 911 E - RHD Gemini Blue. (Mike - I think this is the right colour this time

)

DSC_007+1+1155639493 by TP021272, on Flickr

DSC_00671155639814 by TP021272, on Flickr

There is a bit of a story with this one and I will get to that, but not at the moment. Here she is in all her glory, and fully dressed or should that be over dressed?

IMG_0512 by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_0511 by TP021272, on Flickr

The car in question was bought by an active DDK member and many of you might well know the car, without gong in to too much detail I then bought it a few years into the restoration, the transformation had already begun. It really is a thing of beauty.

IMG_3867.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_3858.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_3890.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

In reality its is an absolute dog in terms of the shell and structure, so far the car has been stripped and sent to Enviro-Strip. It actually looks better now its back to bear metal.

es 12 by TP021272, on Flickr

es 17 by TP021272, on Flickr

es 18 by TP021272, on Flickr

The comment from my body shop owner Colin was that the roof looks ok, two weeks later I stop in to discuss panels and other elements and he is now thinking the roof isn't so good. This is a long term project and I am looking forward to the process almost as much as seeing the car at the end. The big plus with this car was the previous owner had amassed almost everything that was required to restore the car, all of the following is now neatly tucked away in storage.

IMG_0813.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_0812.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_0811.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_0842.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_0826.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

So onwards and upwards, the car now is sitting waiting on brackets and towers coming for the Celette jig that will become its home. Perhaps a bit prematurely, the gearbox and engine are with Mike Bainbridge, but equally I wanted these assessed before I jump head first into this. Updates will follow...wish me luck.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Thu May 29, 2014 11:18 pm

This is going to be great, and good luck with it!

210bhp · Post by **210bhp** » Fri May 30, 2014 12:02 am

Hi Tom
The story as it unfolds will be as interesting as the restoration I think. It's a challenge, thats for sure.

I'm still not convinced on your first photo. It is inside and computer screens do have an effect so judge for yourself.

This is untouched Gemini

And this is untouched metallic blue (sorry, I only have an inside shot).

Your first picture could still be metallic but I could be wrong. Gemini should have that 'iced' look.

Regards
Mike

Slope330 · Post by **Slope330** » Fri May 30, 2014 5:53 am

+1 on colours ..........above examples what i would expect , opening shots veering to Blaumetallic , allowing for any computer colour distortion

DustyM · Post by **DustyM** » Fri May 30, 2014 8:32 am

Great to see its going to get the restoration it deserves, though I will be more than a little jealous as I watch the project progress. There was no way I was going to get to it though, I've still made little progress on my other projects.

Cheers
Jon

johnM · Post by **johnM** » Fri May 30, 2014 8:54 am

Great looking project, and all the smart guys drive E's

inaglasshouse · Post by **inaglasshouse** » Fri May 30, 2014 9:26 am

Hi Tom,
At least you can now tick "start resto thread" off the to-do list.
I envy you the garage contents. Not so much the shell, but you'll get there. Going to be epic when it's finished.
Cheers, Richard.

Tp81 · Post by **Tp81** » Fri May 30, 2014 8:35 pm

Thanks everyone, enjoying it so far. Richard there are some elements of the stock I have that I might not need, my intention is to restore the car to the exact specification which included blue leather, as you can see I have a full black leather interior. The final decision on this will be some time away and very dependant on costs that either Alan at Canford or Southbound can offer.

Jon, its going to take sometime and if you are every over again give me a call and I will happily let inspect the progress.

Mike, I have to say the lighter blue car is pretty spectacular, I just need to get the shade exactly right when the time comes, glad I have your mobile under Mike - 911 Expert! Expect a call to travel to Airdrie pre paint.

Cheers

Tom

cobb911 · Post by **cobb911** » Fri May 30, 2014 9:59 pm

Hi Tom

It looks a great project. You are lucky with it coming with such a neat collection of spares. I know Porsche Club are visiting Colin's body shop on 14th June but I will miss the chance to see your car as I am otherwise occupied that day.

Assuming the car no longer has the paint code plate, a certificate of authenticity should give you it which will allow you to match the paint exactly.

Looking forward to following your progress.

Regards

Tp81 · Post by **Tp81** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 10:46 pm

Not much to report I am afraid, its a slow process. I have managed to source (or should I say John at OPC in Glasgow) nearly all the panels required to build the car. Some are no longer produced, the torsion tube is no longer available so I am having one cut from a donor by dc Automotive and shipped to Stoddard Classics on the East Coast to be bundled with other panels coming from them.

_MG_8208.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

Porsche Classic kindly shipped RHS rear inner wing from a 3.2 on sale or return, its a good fit so all I need now is a LHS rear inner wing. Can anyone help?

inaglasshouse · Post by **inaglasshouse** » Wed Jun 25, 2014 2:55 pm

Tp81 wrote: all I need now is a LHS rear inner wing. Can anyone help?

Hi Tom,
Probably no help but I notice that Nick Moss has this RHS one on ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271513320735
Maybe worth a call to see if he has a LHS or any leads toward getting one.
Cheers, Richard.

John S · Post by **John S** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 11:06 am

Hi guys, thought I'd chime in and confirm that the first image is indeed of a gemini blue '73S. I'm familiar with the car and viewing it outdoors, it never appeared incorrect.
Admittedly it had undergone a thorough restoration under the watch of a pedantic owner who would have gone to the trouble of maintaining its correct appearance.
It is a very nice colour.

Tp81 · Post by **Tp81** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 11:15 pm

Very quick update, the car is now finally up on the jig and some of the body panels have been delivered. Its now time for the workshop to start.

MB engineering have still to get back to me on the gearbox and engine. I think Mike has finished the gearbox and is due to report back with recommendations for the engine any day.

Some pictures. I haven't seen the shell in a while, its worse than I remember.

IMG_7254.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_7253.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_7252.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_7251.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr

IMG_7249.jpg by TP021272, on Flickr