Just picked up a 'backyard find', a '72 911 T Targa. Door was already open, but no keys and the steering column is locked. Any ideas on how to unlock it without busting things up too badly? How similar is the earlier 911 steering lock to the one on a 914-6?

I've heard of just taking the wheel and yank, snap, free.

Donor car?

The same. unscrew the bezel off the ignition, you'll find the two bolts that need to be drilled out. or some times unscrewed.

Actually I'm pondering a full resto on it, as the wife and I had '72 T Targa when we first got married.

I saw what looks like a thin metal backing behind the dash vinyl. Does this have to come off as well?

Hey Rob, how's things going?????

BTW,

-- Rob

Ummm, AAA? Make a key & be done with it.

Remove cover in front you will see two flat points that look like round???.
Take a Dremel tool (with ball tip) and make a slot for a flat head screwdriver to go into and unscrew. About a 25 min job no damage to car.

Just had to do it on my 6 when the tip behind the electric harness broke

If the door is unlocked, why wouldn't you remove the door handle and go to a good locksmith that could make you a new key. If it's a time sensitive situation, it's another story then.

Hi Rob, things WERE going great until new owner bought the company I work for. (See 'Non-Disclosure Agreement' thread). BTW, the wife and I are coming down next week for the Mirror Lake Car Show for my B-Day.

Getting this puppy home was one of those 'funny now, not so funny then' stories. 2 flat tires, 4 locked brakes, locked steering column, parked next to a tree, etc. It actually isn't as bad as it looks.

Click to view attachment

I'll probably go this route, as the door panel is already off.

Back in the late 70's I once locked the keys in my teener. AAA sent a locksmith that actually put a blank key in the lock and somehow could tell where to file the key BY HAND to get the key to work!!!! I'd love to find a locksmith like that!

AAA around here balked at sending a tow out for a non-op car. May get the same response for a locksmith.

Thanks to all for the responses!

Cool find!! But just to be a biotch, if it ain't a donor, why get it?

Universal key
Universal compactor
Universal modification tool
Universal Anger management tool
Universal head adjustment tool
Universal one size fits all tools
Universal lubricator
Universal idea collector tank

911? Universal donor for 914s. I say man, rape, pillage and sell the tub!

are you going to get the body work done for this project somewhere in the knoxville area? i am at the beginning of a 914 restoration project and have been trying to find a good place.

WoW a 72, 1 year only oil tank location , I have one too.
see a picture is worth a thousand words

Nobody wanted mine stripped in a garage for 10years, I went and looked , 0 rust ,bare metal took it straight to body shop ,silver paint and sitting in my garage now.

Me too! I just moved here in Jan 06.

I don't know what they charge, but Air Cooled Classics does resto work, paint, etc. They LOVE 914's, which is a big plus. I've seen some of their work and it looks pretty good.

Most of my neighbors are 'car guys'. I'll ask them for leads they may know of.

Back to the original post question. I found the solution....the keys!!!!
PO found 'em while looking for other stuff. WHEW!!

congrats on the keys

I have been around this area for a long time, I met Don of ACC 15 years ago when he was just a crazy man with a driveway full of Porsches. We had swapped parts with him back then, at the time he seemed to be more into the engine type of work and building a lightweight 6 for racing. Since then I have seen his mark on quite a few 914's around town. I am confident those guys know eactly what they are doing, I just haven't been able to come to terms with paying their prices (I don't know what they charge either, I can only assume it is a premium, from their web site "We are not the low price leader, rather we are best at attention to details and therefore provide classic restoration services,
be it repair or frame-off restoration.", it's tough to argue with that philosophy, but a noble cause only goes so far for a guy with a finite budget). In the end I know I want a good job but I would like to convince myself that there is no one else around that is capable of doing the right job. Thanks for putting their name out there, I had actually forgotten that they did restoration work. Do ask your neighbors and let me know what you find, of course keep in mind that 'car guys' in east tennessee can mean a variety of things....