I'm actually gonna have a pretty car., First time in 30 years Options

[aircooledboy]

I have owned a 914 for the most part of the last 30 years. 5 drivers and 3 parts cars later, for the first time EVER, I will soon have a 914 that runs great AND looks great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

The PO did a great job of collecting and installing all the right and best parts. I've had to "adjust" the execution from time to time, but I still believe there are few conversions out there that can hang with this one mechanically. I have really enjoyed the last 3 years with her, but between work and family, other than driving it, unless there is a problem that demands attention, I've had very little time to love on the old girl. The paint has always been a generous 3/10, and I certainly can't justify the cost of making it right with the oldest starting college in the fall, and her sister 2 years behind her. So, I try to keep it clean, and don't let anybody get closer than 30 feet to the car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Recently, I had a client who was so grateful for some things I was able to accomplish for him, that he told me he wanted to paint my car. This guy is a world renowned restorer of British vintage cars. Just having him agree to work on my car would be amazing, and that's what I thought he was offering. I politely thanked him, but explained the whole $, kids in college blah blah blah. . ., and he said, "no, you don't understand. I'm doing it to show my appreciation. Free." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

I still can't wrap my brain around this, but this spring I will for the first time in my life have a 914 that looks as good as she runs. I'll try to keep up the progress here.

[aircooledboy]

I found one of the hoods on my parts pile was very good. So, thanks for the offers, but it looks like I'm covered there.

Steve's plan on the wheel well cut out problem is that he's going to make custom "grills" out of rod to try to carry the load the same way the original metal did before it was cut out.

Steve's savant like skills came from his time as an aircraft guy in the Marines in Viet Nam. There were times when lives depended on fixing battle damage to the planes and choppers, but the proper parts weren't available. He's also a mechanical engineer, so he became the guy everybody knew when they were in a jam, he could fabricate and fix things whether parts were available or not (and he's got the medals to prove it). As a result he's got a great understanding of how structure carries weight. He thinks that rather than brace the struts to the front of the torsion bars to regain the structural stability, he can make the grills in a way that it can carry the same load that the sheet medal did. Honestly, I'm skeptical, but given the guy's resume', I'm more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He's got some one of a kind 1927 Rolls Royce Silver Spur Cloud Coupe' Saloon something or other that he's doing a body off bare skin repaint on. The show is in 4 weeks, and the car is already on the cover of the show program, so it HAS to be done. (I don't know what the car really is. I know it's some ultra rare one off. He gets on a roll telling me all the spectacular details about these cars and after 5 minutes my eyes glaze over. After another 25 minutes, he's usually almost done. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) Anyway, he's going to focus on that for a while, so I may not have anything new for a couple weeks.