Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> 914 Body In White, chassis fixtures being made
McMark
post Jul 30 2018, 11:39 AM
Post #1


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 20,179
Joined: 13-March 03
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Member No.: 419
Region Association: None
Well, I started on this path a long time ago. Back in 2011, I pick up a Celette bench on Craigslist. I rented fixtures a few times, but along the way Celette moved everything to a newer setup/system and trashed the old fixtures.

Last year I was able to get the new style adapters but would still need to rent fixtures. So it was nice to have the capability, but rental fees meant that expediency was critical. For a project like SirAndy's 914-6 there will be a lot of measuring, checking, cutting, welding, etc. That translates to a lot of time on the bench, and the less I feel the need to rush, the better. When straightening a chassis, it's critical that you have a plan and make pulls and adjustments in the correct order.

Restoration Design just started carrying their own set of fixtures that are compatible with what I have now. They had the early 911 fixtures, but thankfully they jumped on the 914 next. So I just placed my order for these. Now I'll have everything in house to put cars up on fixtures for straightening, major rust repair, and/or cage work. This is a huge development for Original Customs.

I've always done rust repair, but this is the first time that I'll start offering a 'chassis restoration service' for both individuals and other shops. So anyone, anywhere can ship their chassis here and get back a solid and straight body, ready to build on. I'll also be on the lookout for suitable cars to straighten/repair and sell ready to run, 'off the shelf'.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif) I can't wait to get started, then add early 911 and 356 fixtures...

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.restoration-design.com-419-1532972340.1.jpg)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
4 Pages V  1 2 3 > »   
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies(1 - 19)
914forme
post Jul 30 2018, 11:43 AM
Post #2


Times a wastin', get wrenchin'!
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,896
Joined: 24-July 04
From: Dayton, Ohio
Member No.: 2,388
Region Association: None
Nice Mark, our community has needed this service for a long time.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
BeatNavy
post Jul 30 2018, 11:45 AM
Post #3


Certified Professional Scapegoat
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,938
Joined: 26-February 14
From: Easton, MD
Member No.: 17,042
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Excellent, I may be in need before TOO long... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ValcoOscar
post Jul 30 2018, 11:47 AM
Post #4


Garage Life
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,474
Joined: 19-November 13
From: SoCal
Member No.: 16,669
Region Association: Southern California
Mark-

Congrats..
I hope you have a large shop. I see lots of opportunities coming your way.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/drunk.gif)
Oscar
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SirAndy
post Jul 30 2018, 11:55 AM
Post #5


Resident German
*************************

Group: Admin
Posts: 41,890
Joined: 21-January 03
From: Oakland, Kalifornia
Member No.: 179
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 30 2018, 10:39 AM) *
For a project like SirAndy's 914-6 there will be a lot of measuring, checking, cutting, welding, etc.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Andyrew
post Jul 30 2018, 12:10 PM
Post #6


Spooling.... Please wait
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 13,377
Joined: 20-January 03
From: Riverbank, Ca
Member No.: 172
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jul 30 2018, 10:55 AM) *

QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 30 2018, 10:39 AM) *
For a project like SirAndy's 914-6 there will be a lot of measuring, checking, cutting, welding, etc.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)


BTW Mark, Thats awesome!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mepstein
post Jul 30 2018, 12:11 PM
Post #7


914-6 GT in waiting
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 19,592
Joined: 19-September 09
From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE
Member No.: 10,825
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
I think the 914 community might underestimate the cost of "chassis restoration". Like getting a car painted, it's easier to justify the cost on a $100-250K car but it's a much larger percentage of a 914.

But I think the service is needed as less and less shops do this kind of work.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Cairo94507
post Jul 30 2018, 12:43 PM
Post #8


Michael
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,092
Joined: 1-November 08
From: Auburn, CA
Member No.: 9,712
Region Association: Northern California
I almost wet myself with Andy's reply. I can totally relate. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ConeDodger
post Jul 30 2018, 12:45 PM
Post #9


Apex killer!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 23,823
Joined: 31-December 04
From: Tahoe Area
Member No.: 3,380
Region Association: Northern California
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jul 30 2018, 02:55 PM) *

QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 30 2018, 10:39 AM) *
For a project like SirAndy's 914-6 there will be a lot of measuring, checking, cutting, welding, etc.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)


And then there’s the check writing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
McMark
post Jul 30 2018, 01:03 PM
Post #10


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 20,179
Joined: 13-March 03
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Member No.: 419
Region Association: None
QUOTE(mepstein @ Jul 30 2018, 02:11 PM) *

I think the 914 community might underestimate the cost of "chassis restoration". Like getting a car painted, it's easier to justify the cost on a $100-250K car but it's a much larger percentage of a 914.

But I think the service is needed as less and less shops do this kind of work.

Absolutely. It won't be cheap, but if you're embarking on a full restoration (or hiring out a full restoration) this is a significant opportunity. EVERYTHING else on the project can be swapped out as needed (engine, transmission, suspension, etc) -- but if you have a crooked chassis you're piling good parts onto a bad skeleton. Once you get a chassis painted, the opportunity to fix the body is gone....
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Dave_Darling
post Jul 30 2018, 04:03 PM
Post #11


914 Idiot
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 15,060
Joined: 9-January 03
From: Silicon Valley / Kailua-Kona
Member No.: 121
Region Association: Northern California
Awesome, Mark!

--DD
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
horizontally-opposed
post Jul 30 2018, 05:01 PM
Post #12


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,445
Joined: 12-May 04
From: San Francisco
Member No.: 2,058
Region Association: None
QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 30 2018, 12:03 PM) *

...if you're embarking on a full restoration (or hiring out a full restoration) this is a significant opportunity. EVERYTHING else on the project can be swapped out as needed (engine, transmission, suspension, etc) -- but if you have a crooked chassis you're piling good parts onto a bad skeleton. Once you get a chassis painted, the opportunity to fix the body is gone....


Genau. Precisely.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
worn
post Jul 30 2018, 06:28 PM
Post #13


can't remember
****

Group: Members
Posts: 3,342
Joined: 3-June 11
From: Madison, WI
Member No.: 13,152
Region Association: Upper MidWest
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jul 30 2018, 09:55 AM) *

QUOTE(McMark @ Jul 30 2018, 10:39 AM) *
For a project like SirAndy's 914-6 there will be a lot of measuring, checking, cutting, welding, etc.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Yes. I am sure that with such an important job, the hours would simply stack up. But, for that quality of customer, you can’t push the limits too far. Unless this should somehow come back around to bite me somehow...

Also, good for everyone that you have them.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Unobtanium-inc
post Jul 30 2018, 07:25 PM
Post #14


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,272
Joined: 29-November 06
From: New York
Member No.: 7,276
Region Association: None
QUOTE(mepstein @ Jul 30 2018, 10:11 AM) *

I think the 914 community might underestimate the cost of "chassis restoration". Like getting a car painted, it's easier to justify the cost on a $100-250K car but it's a much larger percentage of a 914.

But I think the service is needed as less and less shops do this kind of work.

I agree, many restoration customers have no clue what it takes to bring a decades old car back to square one, not even getting into paint or mechanical. I know guys who can't understand why it took $30,000 to put floors in their car, except the restorer explains that his only other option was to weld the floors to the dash, because that was the first piece of solid metal he found.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
GaroldShaffer
post Jul 30 2018, 09:03 PM
Post #15


You bought another 914?
*****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 7,628
Joined: 27-June 03
From: Portage, IN
Member No.: 865
Region Association: None
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) I think I may know a guy or two that can help you find some cars to fix and sell. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
McMark
post Jul 31 2018, 05:18 AM
Post #16


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 20,179
Joined: 13-March 03
From: Grand Rapids, MI
Member No.: 419
Region Association: None
QUOTE(Garold Shaffer @ Jul 30 2018, 11:03 PM) *

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) I think I may know a guy or two that can help you find some cars to fix and sell. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

I was thinking the same thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Chris H.
post Jul 31 2018, 07:58 AM
Post #17


Senior Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,048
Joined: 2-January 03
From: Chicago 'burbs
Member No.: 73
Region Association: Upper MidWest
Very exciting development Mark. To be able to start with a tub that is definitely straight would be a huge advantage. Plus if the owner can show documentation that a chassis has been checked on a Celette bench it should be worth more $ like a 996 with the IMS bearing fix done. No brainer for anyone who is about to drop serious $$$$$ on paint and body work.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
IronHillRestorations
post Jul 31 2018, 01:18 PM
Post #18


I. I. R. C.
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 6,776
Joined: 18-March 03
From: West TN
Member No.: 439
Region Association: None
My solution is much more crude.

I found an old Blackhawk bench, which has the same 100 mm bolt spacing and was supposed to be compatible with the older (now NLA) Celette fixtures. Then I found out they got trashed.

Highly likely my set up will be for sale very soon. We’re going to downsize and I want to get away from projects that need a frame bench. I’ll just send them to OC!


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
IronHillRestorations
post Jul 31 2018, 01:50 PM
Post #19


I. I. R. C.
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 6,776
Joined: 18-March 03
From: West TN
Member No.: 439
Region Association: None
I’d be very curious to know if the adapters and new fixtures would line up on a Blackhawk.

Another pic of my crude ity


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
EdwardBlume
post Jul 31 2018, 02:20 PM
Post #20


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 12,338
Joined: 2-January 03
From: SLO
Member No.: 81
Region Association: Central California
Congratulations! McMark is the right guy now with the right equipment! Makes me wish I lived in Michigan....
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

4 Pages V  1 2 3 > » 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
3 User(s) are reading this topic (3 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Switch to: Standard · Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 23rd November 2024 - 12:01 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...