Here I go again: '74 Euro Carrera

[ibmiked]

Other than painting, powder coating, and plating, we kept the suspension mostly stock except for adjustable swing arms. A fair number of new bits were used, but I really wanted this car to run and ride as close to it did in 1973 when it came out of the factory. Take note: we refinished the Konis after these pictures to a more accurate orange-red.

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Technically, the Fuchs should be black for this year but I couldn't resist taking a little liberty and going with an RSR finish, capped off with a set of Pirelli CN36 tires.

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[ibmiked]

Inside the car remains mostly stock, with the addition of a set of '1974 correct factory sport seats with Blackwatch Tartan inlays. The correct blue carpet and midnight vinyl door cards were sourced as well. Take note: the seat hardware has since been corrected.

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Since the car has chrome exterior trim, I also built up a set of chrome window switches from period Mercedes and Porsche parts. Apparently, the tell for a chrome trim '74 is that these window switchs need to have chrome surrounds. Most cars I've researched have the easier to find black window switches. The midnight vinyl is hard to detect unless you're in sunlight.

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[miles]

Now that's interesting. A 901 gear box in a G body car. Is that a special some sort of a special order?

[ibmiked]

Now that's interesting. A 901 gear box in a G body car. Is that a special some sort of a special order?

Sorry, I uploaded the wrong picture.

[ibmiked]

Assembling the rest of the car has taken way more time than I imagined. Even though so much is still available from Porsche, buying the car in boxes means that we are constantly having to stop and chase down even the smallest parts. I have strived for near-perfect when it comes to hardware, although I don't intend to have the car judged.

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[ibmiked]

Some of the fun details boil down to paying homage to the previous owners. I found this vintage grill badge for Scuderia Hanseat on German eBay. As the original owner was an instructor and later helped manage the club, I thought it would be a cool touch. I also bought a vintage LeMans decal because of his subsequent race history.

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Since the car was built in early October 1973 and Porsche had only cinched the Championship at the end of September I think it's more accurate that the car carries the earlier '72 only decal. I don't believe that Porsche would have been able to design and print a batch of '73 stickers at the time this car was completed.

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[camarilla]

Some of the fun details boil down to paying homage to the previous owners. I found this vintage grill badge for Scuderia Hanseat on German eBay. As the original owner was an instructor and later helped manage the club, I thought it would be a cool touch. I also bought a vintage LeMans decal because of his subsequent race history.

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Since the car was built in early October 1973 and Porsche had only cinched the Championship at the end of September I think it's more accurate that the car carries the earlier '72 only decal. I don't believe that Porsche would have been able to design and print a batch of '73 stickers at the time this car was completed.

Love this! My 1972’s first owner also attended Scuderia Hanseat. Might need to copy you on the badge idea…
Any idea what colors were used for which years? I’m seeing, black, green blue and white badges on ebay.

[ibmiked]

Love this! My 1972’s first owner also attended Scuderia Hanseat. Might need to copy you on the badge idea…
Any idea what colors were used for which years? I’m seeing, black, green blue and white badges on ebay.

Great question. I tried my best to figure that out but didn’t get anywhere. Maybe someone in Germany can speak with a club historian?

[ibmiked]

Because the car was also ordered with a roll bar, I was able to source a correct German made Matter roll bar from Don Ahearn. I also tracked down a correct date stamped Gloria Avus fire extinguisher from right here on the Early S registry. Also, as an homage to the IROC series, I covered the radio delete plate in the appropriate shift sticker.

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Not pictured are the extensive amount of period receipts and comprehensive factory brochures that I put together for the car. Basically the car has every piece of paper you can have for a 1974 Euro Carrera, including all period magazine articles (in English and German). My goal was to make the most complete example of these cars as I could, seeing as how I was starting with such great raw materials.

[ibmiked]

So while it is not finished yet, here are some pictures of where the car stands today. We are hoping to have it finished in time to be in Luft 9 in San Francisco. If you happen to be at the show, please come by and say hello. Take note: the wheels in these pictures are not the final set. I actually have another set that are RSR finish but lighter than these. Also, the front and rear lower valances need to be changed but that will happen after the car finally comes home and I start getting tips on what else needs to be corrected.

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