The '76 - doing it right this time, Finishing the interior Options

[76-914]

In 2009 I bought this '76 from The LeMay Museum. It had been donated to the museum by one of their members. They in turn decided to sell it and use the proceeds towards other projects they had in their inventory. Google them and you'll see it would not have been a good fit.
Upon delivery I discovered there were areas where rust had staked it's claim. The sail panels had, as I now know, the usual rust; the battery tray and the area immediately behind it plus a small area on top of the long beneath; and finally a few spots along the front rain channel.
To say I was distraught would be an understatement. Thirteen years and 2 more 914's later I know it was a good deal. Did I mention I paid $1600 for it delivered. The longs were solid as was the rest of the car. I removed the wiring mess for the car alarm & CB radio then reconnected all the wires to their original terminals. Next I replaced the Fuel Pump relay, added gas. After a turn of the key it coughed, farted and started. That's pretty much the Reader's Digest version but little more was done than that.
I hadn't worked on any cars since I was a teen and none of those needed rust repair. However, after building an airplane years earlier, I had some experience with aluminum and fiberglass. Do you see where this is going?
I thought it time that I go back and do a proper repair job on the old girl. Don't get me wrong. I thought that the aluminum angle patch pieces on the rain channel, the fiberglass in the Hell Hole and Bondo on the sail panels was "good enough"! Looking back, I didn't know Shit from Apple Butter.
It has remained as such but Since both of my Subaru conversions are basically finished, sans a paint job on the '73, I decided to go back and correct my "Get're done" repairs. I bought the rail repair pieces from 914rubber which in turn gave me an excuse to buy a metal shrinker/stretcher.
Bore yourself if you will, as there are more interesting and detailed metal restorations going on here, but I thought I'd better post these improvements for the next owner.

1 of 4


2 of 4 and I just noticed I need to resize my camera so bear with me. The next update will have more pics per post.

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2 of 4

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another angle from 2 of 4



3 of 4

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This is one of the aluminum pieces I had riveted in a curved section. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)



And 4 of 4 which I'll tackle tomorrow. Seam seal is enroute and will be added afterwards.
Mr Rust moved a little beyond the channel but still a minor repair.

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New toys!

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On the operating table

[Chris H.]

Really cool Kent. Was wondering when you'd get to this one. Keeping it stock this time? What are the last 4 digits of the VIN? Wondering where it falls in the last year of production.

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Superhawk996]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) Get Er' Done right!

[Mayne]

Nice work. I was just looking at those rail replacements at 914rubber but didn’t really understand how they’re used.

[76-914]

Really cool Kent. Was wondering when you'd get to this one. Keeping it stock this time? What are the last 4 digits of the VIN? Wondering where it falls in the last year of production.

Absolutely stock Chris. I'm just realizing what a nice car it is. I'll be posting some pics showing some of it's attributes. The dash is original and not cracked. The rear trunk, pad and carpet look like brand new. The two conversions aren't talking to me since I stepped out with this gal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) Last 4 digits 1295.

[76-914]

Nice work. I was just looking at those rail replacements at 914rubber but didn’t really understand how they’re used.

Jeremy, Look closely at your rails and you'll see that it isn't one solid piece. It is 2 pieces spot welded together. Both are L shaped but one is much wider than the other. When one is placed on top of the other they form a "U" shaped channel. I ordered one 4ft section which is 2 pieces. A 3/8" belt sander is your friend when doing these. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

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Trivia question: Who here knows where else the channel pieces are used on a 914?

[rgalla9146]

Trivia question: Who here knows where else the channel pieces are used on a 914?

To hold the foam door seals on the doors.

[rhodyguy]

This is the car I drove for the Rt66? I had no idea it came from LeMay. If a WA car, the rust is typical as is the nice dash and interior. The glued in trunk seals lead to disaster in a wet climate. I found it to be a nice, stock driver.

[Root_Werks]

Keep the pics coming, looks great! Looks like a very clean 76' which is rare.

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Moving forward - actually I started at the front and am moving towards the rear - so moving backwards the next repairs will be on the sail panels where I cleverly hid the bondo'd repairs behind the vinyl. But first a pic of the last repair on the rain channel right side. This one had moved up and into the cowling but not much. I ended up cutting about 4" off the cowling which isn't much compared to most of those I've seen repaired here. Before and after. Still no seam sealer but shows to arrive Monday. Who knew that Wurth's seam sealer wouldn't last 11 years in the can?





I'll locate the original pics from when I went through her the first time showing the Hell Hole rust cut outs and the condition of the longs but in the meantime I'll throw out a couple of pics for @Root_Werks . Since the front trunk is stuffed with tools and such I took a few pics of the arse end. She's tighter than a Nun's rear on Christmas Eve but dirtier than a 5 term Senator so bear with me.

Is this the normal jack location for 75-76. Half covered by carpet or should the carpet be placed beneath the jack?





Pulled back the carpet to show the condition of the original pad.

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Opps. Hit the wrong button but the previous pic was to show the lid. Like new for 45 years old.

Two more of that area.





A shot of the back of the trunk. This area of the trunk and the headlight buckets seem to attract dirt.



A quick view of the interior. A period correct radio would ne nice. New carpet will be needed. I spilled a pot of Chili on the passenger side floor years ago. Don't ask. It was cheap carpet anyway. Check out the welding blanket on the windshield. That is a proper accessory indeed. Yes, I made that mistake once before. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)



That's it for now. Onward thru the Fog and onto the Sail Panels. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[76-914]

This is the car I drove for the Rt66? I had no idea it came from LeMay. If a WA car, the rust is typical as is the nice dash and interior. The glued in trunk seals lead to disaster in a wet climate. I found it to be a nice, stock driver.

The very same Kevin. Except with a new ignition switch since you drove it last. My bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

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Trivia question: Who here knows where else the channel pieces are used on a 914?

To hold the foam door seals on the doors.

Hmmm. Not sure about that one Roy. I'll check the doors tomorrow. But there is another place I'm referring to. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)