Stranded Salmon: From Triumph to Tragedy (Porsche Owner Interview)

The way this Porsche 911 owner found this Salmon 1974 Porsche 911 is any air cooled enthusiast’s dream. But what started as the score of a lifetime ended up as a nightmare.
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I’ve interviewed many 911 owners about their cars, but this story is special. First of all, it involves this channel, which I think is pretty cool. Secondly, the way the owner was able to find and buy this car is quite unique. Third, what started off as a HUGE WIN for this owner ended up being what all air cooled owners fear the most: an engine out rebuild.
THE GOOD (Porsche Owner Interview):
- One of the most interesting features of this mid year 911 is the color. It’s called “Salmon” and you just don’t see them around. In fact, I don’t think I have seen this color in the wild ever…and if I have, it might have been only once.
- This car was purchased from the widow of the original owner, and in this interview we get to hear the backstory of the car and also get to see all of the original items that came with the car when the current owner bought it.
- The way this owner acquired this Porsche 911 gives me hope that there are still good buys out there…if you know where to find them.
THE BAD (Porsche Owner Interview):
- Shortly after buying this 1974 Porsche, the owner experienced engine failure on a spirited drive…which is a worst-case scenario for any air cooled owner.
- The car has had some sub-par paint and body work done…but I think it’s really interesting patina that’s part of the story of this 911.
So, sit back, enjoy the video…and tell me in the comments whether you would LOVE or HATE to experience what this owner is going through to get this car back on the road.
0:00 Start
1:28 Beginning of Porsche 911 Interview
1:58 How this owner found his 1974 Porsche 911
6:22 Surprises he found with the car
8:05 Paintwork the car has had
9:14 2 Step Porsche paint process place in the doorjamb
9:27 Rarity of the Salmon color on a Porsche 911
9:58 Original parts and documentation that came with this Porsche 911
12:00 Porsche 2.7 liter motor failure
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Porsche 911's I currently own or have owned:
- 1969 Porsche 911T Hot Rod in Ossi Blue
- 1976 Porsche 911S in Ice Green Metallic
- 1977 Porsche 924 Martini Edition Safari Car
- 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera in guards red
- 1992 Porsche 911 964 in Amazon Green metallic (SOLD)
- 1995 Porsche 911 993 Coupe in polar silver
- 2007 Porsche 911 997.1 Turbo in guards red (SOLD)
- 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 C4S PDK (SOLD)
Please subscribe to my channel. My website: www.rennthusiast.com/ IG: @RennthusiastTV
FB: Rennthusiast Air Cooled Porsche Fans ( / 25147.. )
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[@dbl0233]

An update for anyone following. Salmon has been at the shop since being picked up on the day this video was shot. It’s been a long road and still no clear end in site. Only mild upgrades from stock including higher compression pistons and a hotter cam. For anyone considering a rebuild, patience is a virtue.

[@junktionfet]

What a story! I'm glad he's keeping it and bringing it back to life with its original 2.7. A car like this deserves to be preserved. And keep that patina!

[@Rennthusiast]

I agree!

[@chadbailey7038]

What a BEAUTIFUL combination of exterior paint with interior color! Blue?! Sometimes it’s just the combination of eccentric colors that actually makes them work so well! How special 🙌🏾 ⚡️

[@es335ghost7]

All hail! All hail! Another '74 brought back to life on the road!

[@marionfisk7926]

Yes, the 1974 911 and salmon metallic I would say too is very unique. I purchase mine in March 2019. four weeks ago. I finally got the rebuilt engine and rebuilt transmission installed in the car. and in June 2019, my engine started making a rattling noise and I took it to the local Porsche mechanic and he said it was my chain tensioner going bad so I had the Carrera chain tensioners installed and then the car was driving great and the engine sounded great until the engines valve guides We’re totally wearing out and the car was smoking profusely when I would go down the road my car originated in Warsaw, Indiana and since then I found out that I was owner number six of the car. Now with her completely rebuilt and upgraded engine I’m on my life out. Driving my 911 again.

[@rokupra_911]

Thanks for sharing always look forward to your uploads.💯👌

[@van_dutch]

Thanks for sharing the story, and cool that you helped with the lead. The stories really do make these cars.

[@danielwilliams9625]

Great content! Thanks for sharing the backstory on this beautiful 911!

[@gregbattaglia9121]

Glad he is pushing forward with the rebuild . Great Video

[@wbick8154]

Ouch! Will - I suggest you think about a new video on ways to safeguard against tensioner failure in older air cooled cars. That includes Hydraulic Chain Tensioner Upgrade Kits that provide direct oil lines to the tensioners (see Stoddard), and at the very least tensioner guards (see Pelican Parts) that minimize chain slack if the tensioners fail. Driving an older car without these is a real gamble.

[@brucemacdonald318]

Really enjoy your channel. It's wonderful to not only hear the history of a car but also see the history through the patina. A mechanically safe and sound car with patina and lots of miles on the odometer is so interesting (to me at least).

[@hollywinsman9464]

I think you both and us will be very happy when this car has kept it's original paint, original body and a new rebuilt engine. It's got the - look at me mood. It's beautiful.

[@briani3599]

Great story! I have a 76 911s targa along with a new 911 and boxter. The ‘76 with the original 2.7 is my favorite driver. Fix her up!! You will be glad you did and the value will only go up over time-but more important is the pleasure you will have with it.

[@smote911]

Really enjoyed this video and what a cool little car and color...great find! He needs to have that Bronco featured on some channel just let me know where! Gorgeous!

[@jeffv103]

My father had a very similar 911. Same year but in white. No AC, no sunroof & manual windows. Black interior. It had to be sold upon him passing. Thanks for the memories.

[@changedrivenclt]

Rad story, Will!

[@julianwright5120]

Beautiful colour. Personally, given that you have evidence of condition, I’d repaint it. I understand that a car is only original once but for me, the colour is the focus of the story!

[@paolopanetta10011]

Great content. I'm a fan boy for the older BMW cars, but subscribed to your channel as i do love the older Porsches (996 and back) Keep up the good work

[@Rennthusiast]

Thanks for the sub!

[@bgeorgas61]

Great Segment! I too wonder about doing the full rebuild on a 2.7. I might have thought about just finding a decent used 3.0, and enjoy the car. Then, keep the 2.7 if you ever wanted to do a more comprehensive restoral on the car. Either way, I appreciated this one!

[@philipprosapio2295]

Great video, what an interesting color. I agree with rebuilding the engine. I’m facing a very similar situation, have a 76 turbo Vin number 17 was originally grey/ silver ,very little rust, now guards red. Two cylinders with 50 % leaks. I am having the engine rebuilt, I’m going to get the bodywork done and repaint it in red since it’s already been repainted once. You asked if anybody would repaint the salmon colored car and I personally would. Keep the original color as long as you’re doing some bodywork on it anyway. Enjoy the channel. Phil-Minnesota

[@scalecrawlnl]

Thank you very much. What a story and quite a special Porsche. Love the fact that this kind gentleman is into his colourful cars. A great interaction between you both too and the the new owner is also great at the recount of pre purchase events. The mechanical trouble is just a sign I reckon to see if the new owner is serious about the custodianship, since the previous keeper very sadly has left the Earth recently. To me, It is check from the sportscar dieties to see if this new romance is real, not discounting the rebuild cost naturally. My idea is then that it actually is the other way around if I may, from Tragedy to Triumph honestly. She'll live and sing the song of happiness across the mountain ranges once more. Thank you again Sir, with valleys and peaks, a truely magnificent and original, Porsche story by Rennthusiast. Leaving a like and eager for the updates on this car. Does she have a name already, just a bit curious to learn.

[@Rennthusiast]

Thanks for the support. No, no name at this point. We will do more video on this one so stay tuned.

[@robertscheinost179]

A good painter can match and shoot the spots and area that was resprayed and your friend will have 85% original paint on the car so that is one option. Notice I said a GOOD painter......Good luck finding someone that can pull it off.....I've seen it done before! Great story, great video. thanks for posting.

[@PaulChurch-bm9rc]

Great story, thanks for sharing it with us! Although it would be awesome to retain the original patina, I feel that given the extent of the rust, it’s probably best to respray the car to ensure this beauty is around for many more years to come. Love your channel, keep up the great work!

[@Rennthusiast]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@50zoomie]

A neighbor had a similar car (maybe this one?) in Kalamazoo, Michigan that I seldom saw except on walks when the garage was open. Beautiful color in person.

[@jeffryrosen3438]

Great story, I have a friend with a Salmon 930, I too love the color. I'm looking forward to seeing how you progress.

[@Rennthusiast]

Thanks for watching 🙏🏽

[@ianhardin1148]

Gotta keep a Rennbow 5 bucket! At least the 2.7 didn't catch fire! Well the patience he exhibited buying it will hopefully serve him well while he deals with its quirks. I don't think I'll ever be able to afford a vintage 911 so I'll have to live vicariously through you all!

[@jameseli5782]

If you love the color - more power to you. Other than that - barn find/garage finds are not ready to roll. They all requires ($}. What ever color you find - if it was parked up - get ready to invest in getting it ready to drive... I love all 911s - this one is special. I hope you make it fun for your drives.

[@victorrios8947]

Cool video. Curious if he considered going to a newer engine versus the 2.7 rebuild. So many bad stories on the 2.7 and this happened after a ppi. Very unfortunate but I am glad he is keeping and fixing. Great color and story.

[@Rennthusiast]

He wants to keep the car numbers matching, so he’s rebuilding the 2.7.

[@dbl0233]

I plan to have the 2.7 shortcomings addressed and may consider bumping up to a 2.8 with cams and EFI. Motor is coming apart next week to survey extent of damage.

[@where-we-roam]

Awesome car. Great color. Interesting backstory. She's a keeper.

[@Rennthusiast]

I think so too!

[@lovetoride9646]

The car is a beauty. The peek with the chrome sugar scoops was nice. I would put them back on.

[@Rennthusiast]

I hear you from an originality standpoint, but I prefer the color matched scoops. I did the same thing with my 76.

[@mikejohnson599]

ya in my heyday back in the mid70s i bought a 912 so beautiful for 2k and the previous owner had spent 5k of his companies money to rebuild the engine i had to have the front pan replaced for only 400 back in those days but after a few years i just was too nervous of future bills so i let it go for what i paid for it

[@michaelg1956]

Thanks, great story! Can you please share the name and number of the shop doing the rebuild? I own an Orange Badge as well, a 74 911S Gemini Metallic Blue that had the CIS removed and converted using Webers. They are fun to drive and with the Carbs, the sounds adds to the complete analog experience.

[@ocmacman17]

Great story, I just rebuilt my 993 engine and a 2.7 would be not to bad.

[@bbop3125]

Do what you want with the paint. It won’t hurt the value (especially considering the bad paint match on the drivers rear fender). I like my cars pristine, but to each their own.

[@jekutube9]

Not sure, but that Mercedes seemed sweet! Good luck with the Porsche, they will always be a “project” car. Happy driving… eventually.

[@absojl]

I believe its color is named metalic brick in german on the sticker in the trunk.

[@ColinSebern]

Just out of curiosity, since he knew the exact history and mileage of the car, and the fact that it was almost entirely original, is there any reason why the Carrera tensioner upgrade wasn’t done or at least considered before deciding to really drive it? Seems like a complete service with things like the Carrera tensioner update, trimmed air deflectors, etc would have been good insurance.

[@michaelg1956]

Another question if you don't mind what will he have in it when all is said and done (purchase, suspension, rebuild)? Just a side note for those that may not know, the July of 74 production was the last Orange Badge, later 74 went to the new Red Badge, and is the first and only model that was "G", I know everyone lumps in 74-89 as G-models but they each had a different letter i.e. 75 was "H", 76 "I"....

[@NickKlonizos-dq7ks]

5:36 I would repaint for sure, the chips on the front hurt my eyes 😅. If it was a 356 it would be acceptable to leave the it original imho. To each his own.😊

[@angrygardener2430]

As the owner of 77, bought with a fresh $20,000 rebuilt 2.7… all I can say is make sure there is a warranty (some shops will offer 2 years). Mine lasted 1,000 miles before it threw a rod thru the case. Reputable shop, but no warranty. The 2.7 was never Porsche’s most bullet proof (even without heat collectors). Mine now runs a 3.6 993 motor.

[@Rennthusiast]

3.6 in that 77 must be a blast

[@AussieClogWog1955]

The colour looks great. I would either repaint the whole car , or to preserve the patina just repaint the LH rear fender as the colour does not match the rest of the car, and the resprayed area's finish is not Porsche standard.

[@tacosandfrenchfries4561]

Great video and really enjoy the channel. Maybe I missed it. How many miles? Seems like a one owner?

[@Rennthusiast]

71,000 miles

[@fastbloommessi7211]

Absolutely paint it! Paint match is off

[@jamesprice6381]

keep the paint! its the original wedding dress! :)

[@3.2Carrera]

I think it's the tensioner as well. These all need to be sorted out to enjoy them and it's either now or later for an engine drop. Once the cases are dealt with with the case savers and timeserts you'll be good to go there for a long time. The tensioners of course will be upgraded by that shop to Carrera units and the top end will be fresh. It will be expensive but peace of mind for decades more of driving. I guess it's time to think about some engine mods while you'e in there.

[@3.2Carrera]

I was thinking about this and other possible reasons for this. Maybe if enough of the head studs pulled out of the mag case things could go sideways. The cam tower bridges all of the cylinders/heads together, but the whole assembly can probably shift if the foundation crumbles. It's possible that the chain chest would start to leak on that side of the engine if since more strain would shift to those fasteners.

[@keepyourbilsteins]

The owner should be absolutely confident of Cody and Jonathan get his engine squared away. This is J.P. from Cornelius btw.

[@Rennthusiast]

I just sent him a screenshot of this comment. Thanks.

[@madfemurfast]

Will need follow up...

[@AussieClogWog1955]

Listening to the engine just after trouble struck, it sounds indeed like valves hitting the pistons. Best case scenario, a head rebuild and new timing chain tensioners. Despite the potentially troublesome magnesium engine block , it would be better from a collector's perspective to try and preserve the original engine, rather than do a swap.

[@dbl0233]

I do plan to keep the 2.7. May enhance it a bit. Should be opened up next week for damage assessment.

[@charliefrago1380]

I have a 1976 911s, 145k miles. nice daily driver. drips a little (a few drops each night) oil. worried about the head studs and engine, but cost for rebuild etc is so high (at least 25k), plus once the engine is out, tranny?? clutch???? i think i will keep driving and enjoying it.

[@Rennthusiast]

I agree. Keep driving it until you are absolutely sure it needs a rebuild. I have a 76 and a 69 and they both leak oil. But the motors pull hard and not really a lot of smoke so I’ll just keep driving.

[@GarthGoldberg]

I think the car needs a full re-spray. It would probably cost $10k including metal work and prep. The value of these cars today justifies the expense. Roll-up windows, no A/C. This was really a stripper. In North Carolina (and anywhere, really) I would be looking to add A/C. Yes, chain tensioner failed. I think I'd be looking to swap a 3.2 G50 into it.

[@brandaneakright6082]

I’d have the car repainted honestly it’s worth it,and have any rust issues taken care of. I have a survivor car myself, and I know they’re only original once. I have a 68 Chrysler newyorker that I’ve had since I was 12 and it’s all original except the drivetrain, but I had to rebuild the engine so I went ahead and had some fun with it while I was there. That’s a really cool g body though I’d definitely restore it and rebuild the motor.

[@Rennthusiast]

I am thinking he will end up painting the car. But he is thinking he needs to tackle one problem at a time.

[@sink61]

Personally I would keep the exterior patina as is. The reason being it will be a whole lot easier and more fun to to drive with much less frantic worry in its current paint status than if you embark on $$$$ repaint that results in a pristine car you are afraid to drive most of the time. I recently purchased a low mileage one owner 930 that I feel I have to be so careful with I actually plan my drives to avoid traffic, certain roads, driving conditions where I may park it etc., I now wish I had bought one with some road rash and dings so I wouldn’t be so concerned about it. I’m working on my automotive mental dysfunction.

[@donaldsmith6908]

Once you get that first ding, your concern will subside!

[@terielrand8344]

Great story. I would fix the really bad paint and rust, but not repaint the entire car. They are only original once.😀

[@jeffhammond8969]

Definitely at least respray the panels that were done poorly, and any rust areas.

[@tayne5009]

I think the car’s story is great but that mismatched quarter annoys me. If it were mine I’d be getting the engine rebuilt and keeping it mechanically spot on and driving it whilst I put a few quid aside every month to save up for a full respray and the inevitable extra few repairs found to be needed when stripped down.

[@dbl0233]

I plan to at least respray the quarter to a higher standard and better match but remain torn about a full respray.

[@tayne5009]

@@dbl0233 If you take it in, they’ll sand it and find a bit of rust, then they’ll have to blend it in to the next panel…. Drive it, enjoy it and then paint it all in a few years. It’ll still be the same car with the same history.

[@jonwarshawsky5288]

I agree. This isn’t all original anymore, and it’s pre-galvanized so will continue to rust. If you’re doing an engine rebuild you’ve obviously committed to keep the car, so a proper glass-out respray seems a definite to me.

[@jasonw3303]

Unfortunately when they woke it up they didn’t do the Carrera tensioner mod. They will this time.

[@Rennthusiast]

Yep.

[@MichaelJames-lz7ni]

It is a SAD DAY when Porsche enthusiasts have to jump-through numerous hoops to obtain a solid car at a 'good' price - today's 911 market is absolutely INSANE, and the number of dilapidated machines being sold for 100%-200% over what they were worth 10-15 years ago is criminal.

[@Rennthusiast]

Agreed

[@hawksipracing4357]

Cody will fixer up

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Engines and transmissions can go at anytime without warning...and no PPI can tell you when that day is coming. Bottom line, have money ready for the inevitable.

[@Rennthusiast]

I agree. In my experience it can cost 10% - 20% of the purchase price to cope with all of the sorting…and you hope you don’t have to rebuilt engine or trans.

[@overbuiltlimited]

@@Rennthusiast Also agree. Could also easily be 200% of purchase price (or more) if you go for all the "since we're in there" upgrades and decide to make it a hotrod. Lol. I've been there. You also start to understand why the 911 hotrods that are done right are in the $250K+ range.

[@keyo525]

Car needs a paint job full stop- different shades everywhere - paint chips that bad looks like seagull shit.

[@eyesurgeon69]

Leave the paint.

[@Rennthusiast]

Interesting..I've seen mixed feedback on this one. Some say repaint, others say leave it.

[@gregbattaglia9121]

Do Not Paint