Jon's Classic Copper Brown Metallic Coupe
Jon tells us the story of how he came to own his superb Carrera 3
'I came into 911 ownership from the VW air-cooled side of things, and so it's probably not a big surprise to hear that I was primarily interested in a pre 1973 car. I'd even thought about a 356, 912 or 914 but once I had heard a flat 6 the others just didn't seem to be good enough. I looked at a short wheel-base LHD 2.2 and was quite keen but an inspection highlighted that although the car was very complete and honest it also would need a full restoration in the near future. Another restoration project was not what I wanted, (I still have a 1961 Split Screen Van to rebuild) so I kept looking.
I had up to 10K to spend (borrow actually) so to try the opposite end of the car choice in that price bracket, I rang a local guy with a 1977 RHD car for sale. Totally different style and look of car but UK market RHD. I knew nothing about the 3.0 Carrera when I turned up to see the car and was blown away by the pure 1970's trim and colour, and then again by the drivability and the revy punch of the 3.0 litre motor. Again the car looked very solid and honest but the seller made it clear he wouldn't take an offer and he wanted more than I could get together.
On the way home I didn't know what to do, but with a few days of reading up on the Carrera 3 and some serious thinking, I rang back and made an offer. Unfortunately the guy had decided not to sell after all, so I was back to square one. And to be honest, more confused than I was before!
Nothing happened for a few months, then the guy with the Carrera rang me and said it was up for sale again but needed a MoT. We arranged an inspection and Pre-MoT check and agreed a price and just a few days after my 33rd birthday I drove a 911 home. I hadn't actually driven it that much so the first few trips out are still very clear - the handling in the wintry wet and greasy conditions is especially vivid!
The car is a 1977 Carrera 3.0 in Copper brown Metallic with the Cork interior trim and cookie cutter alloys, black chrome option and no rear wing. Originally a Sportmatic, the car was converted to a manual gearbox a few owners ago. It has had hydraulic cam chain tensioners fitted but apart from the obligatory stereo and immobiliser additions, it is pretty much as it should be.
In the four years I have owned the car I have added a factory short gear shift (after the rear coupling fell apart!), a heat exchanger, cross over pipe, and primary silencer replaced and fixed a few minor things. Recently the body-work has started to need some attention at the base of the B pillar, but now these repairs have been completed she will hopefully be OK for a few years again.
The latest jobs were completed last year: a pop-off valve in the air-box, and getting the heaters working. They had never worked since I bought her, but I now have new heater quadrants, clips, hoses and gaskets etc and have too much hot air!
The car came with a full service history and a folder of receipts and information detailing engine rebuilds, alloy wheel refurbishment and included a period sales brochure and letter from the original purchaser. A previous owner, who I have had the pleasure of meeting, was and still is a keen Porsche owner and Porsche Owners Club UK volunteer. He contacted the original purchaser, found a period sales brochure and started this great folder of info. Seems a shame not to keep it up.
I guess I have been lucky in that the only money I have had to spend on her has been the exhaust parts last year and the body-work this year. Exhausts wear out and body-work rusts on all cars, so I don't see that as a problem. There are some things that could be tidied up, the edges of the wings and bumpers are showing their age, but not in a huge way. I expect there is more corrosion in the upper B pillars as well but the current plan is to keep her and deal with these issues when we have time and money. As I have said getting the heaters working this year would be really good for me as they have never worked and its definite progress!
I live near Northway Porsche who did the exhaust work and serviced the old girl. She has never driven better than she is at the minute. Around £300 for a full service and tune up which sounded like a lot, but then I learnt it's around £300 to service a Mondeo. I'm used to servicing my Scirocco for £50 and doing it myself you see!
Only minor issue I have is connected with not using the car enough. The brakes tend to bind, both front and rear. The rears have been rebuilt by a good friend and seem fine again now, but I don't think the fronts release as well as they should. Maybe that's a job for this year.
I have done few miles in the old girl but all of them have been brilliant fun. We have been to many VW and Porsche shows in the UK, a vintage VW show in Germany (Bad Camburg) and camped at 24 hour Le Mans. Not sure where we will be going this year but I look forward to driving her again soon.
All this talk has made me want to drive her now, so I'm off for a quick spin......!'