1972 ST Clone
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 3:24 pm
I have not posted a build thread as I often did not have time or the inclination to do so. Commitment as a sole carer resulted in being time poor. However, I thought I would post a few details of this project which has been ongoing for 5 years and is almost complete.
I purchased a largely stripped car which had originally been delivered to South Africa and had been used as a club racer, dressed as an RS, at Kyalami and Killarney race tracks. The engine was a 2.8 on carbs with two seperate distributors to provide the spark for the twin plugs. (One distributor running off the end of a camshaft).
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a disassembled car. The advantage is that the bodywork and shell could be easily assessed for "perforations" although anyone claiming that SA was a dry country obviating rust needs to think again. The disadvantage is that you never really know what is missing and thereby lies a problem.
The 'car' was located in the South West at a Porsche 'specialist' who thankfully is no longer in business.
The shell had a very dented floor pan due to the numerous "offs" at the races and people useless at jacking up a car. However, the floor was sound. Inner wings were good, chassis legs fine, bulkhead sound, front and rear slam panels fine too. Door skins rotten but supporting structure in good order, parcel shelf like a piece of decorative lace work and a couple of small holes in the seat pans presumably to let the water out. The rear quarters were rough with one having a steel RS flair and the other one of GRP. Front wings were repairable and front and rear (with duck tail) lids OK. Outer sills needed replacement but kidney bowls were in excellent shape. So structurally a good shell.
The aforementioned 'specialist' proved to be less than trustworthy or reliable and after stripping the shell of the rear quarters and replacing one outer sill the car and the myriad of bits were pulled and taken from the metaphorical frying pan into the fire. Next stop Fenn Lane.
Fenn Lane were given the shell which was dipped and mounted on a jig. Result? Rear engine mount pick up points were out by 15mm as the result of a minor accident to the rear end. Fortunately easily pulled into shape. It was at this point that the torsion tube was found to be too rusty to save. So replaced.
Fenn Lane were slow getting the sills and rear parcel shelf replaced but the work was satisfactory. Frequent visits were made to check on the work.
It was at this point that Stretch, who I had known as an acquaintance, convinced me that I should build an ST replica. What an attractive idea that seemed at that point in time. Subsequently, trying to get historically correct parts escalated both the costs involved and the time taken to build the car. To his great credit Stretch provided copies of the Sports Purpose catalogue and parts list to guide my project and has helped search for parts and provide details of genuine STs. Invaluable help indeed. In fact Dave has become a very good friend who I value greatly and that has been the tangible benefit of the project. Enough words for today. My one finger typing on my small mobile has called time. If you have got this far and have not fallen asleep: well done a prize for perseverance.
I purchased a largely stripped car which had originally been delivered to South Africa and had been used as a club racer, dressed as an RS, at Kyalami and Killarney race tracks. The engine was a 2.8 on carbs with two seperate distributors to provide the spark for the twin plugs. (One distributor running off the end of a camshaft).
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying a disassembled car. The advantage is that the bodywork and shell could be easily assessed for "perforations" although anyone claiming that SA was a dry country obviating rust needs to think again. The disadvantage is that you never really know what is missing and thereby lies a problem.
The 'car' was located in the South West at a Porsche 'specialist' who thankfully is no longer in business.
The shell had a very dented floor pan due to the numerous "offs" at the races and people useless at jacking up a car. However, the floor was sound. Inner wings were good, chassis legs fine, bulkhead sound, front and rear slam panels fine too. Door skins rotten but supporting structure in good order, parcel shelf like a piece of decorative lace work and a couple of small holes in the seat pans presumably to let the water out. The rear quarters were rough with one having a steel RS flair and the other one of GRP. Front wings were repairable and front and rear (with duck tail) lids OK. Outer sills needed replacement but kidney bowls were in excellent shape. So structurally a good shell.
The aforementioned 'specialist' proved to be less than trustworthy or reliable and after stripping the shell of the rear quarters and replacing one outer sill the car and the myriad of bits were pulled and taken from the metaphorical frying pan into the fire. Next stop Fenn Lane.
Fenn Lane were given the shell which was dipped and mounted on a jig. Result? Rear engine mount pick up points were out by 15mm as the result of a minor accident to the rear end. Fortunately easily pulled into shape. It was at this point that the torsion tube was found to be too rusty to save. So replaced.
Fenn Lane were slow getting the sills and rear parcel shelf replaced but the work was satisfactory. Frequent visits were made to check on the work.
It was at this point that Stretch, who I had known as an acquaintance, convinced me that I should build an ST replica. What an attractive idea that seemed at that point in time. Subsequently, trying to get historically correct parts escalated both the costs involved and the time taken to build the car. To his great credit Stretch provided copies of the Sports Purpose catalogue and parts list to guide my project and has helped search for parts and provide details of genuine STs. Invaluable help indeed. In fact Dave has become a very good friend who I value greatly and that has been the tangible benefit of the project. Enough words for today. My one finger typing on my small mobile has called time. If you have got this far and have not fallen asleep: well done a prize for perseverance.