'73 restoration update (tar mats and a parts car), plus a question about group buys Options

[cn2800]

As I've lurked for the last few weeks, I see a number of items coming up in group buys that I'll need if I want to complete this resto correctly. I put my name in for the strut wrench, but have held off on the others. What I'm wondering is how often do these sorts of buys come around? If I don't act now, will it be three years before I can get a correct compliance tag, or will another come up in six months?

Now, since I promised I wouldn't spend any money on this restoration until I knew what I was in for, I've spent the last two weeks doing free things. I got the car down to just the body shell:



And completed what I hope is the WORST job about restoring a 914 - removing the tar mats and trim adhesive from the interior:







Had the opportunity to pick up the parts car this afternoon:



She's pretty rough, and was originally Marathon Blue Metallic:





One nice surprise was finding these in the trunk:



It's a '74, and I think a 1.7. The intake setup is a kind of goofy custom job, but the heat exchangers look relatively new. Will 1.7 heat exchangers work on a 2.0?

My goal is to have this project complete by 22 Aug of next year, so I'd like to thank you all in advance for the upcoming help and advice.

[CptTripps]

That's a nice looking tub!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with everyone else. That garage is insane.

[BeatNavy]

That's a nice looking tub!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with everyone else. That garage is insane.

Yeah, so let me qualify my original answer. Because you DO have the space (and if you have the money), sure, jump in on any group buy you think you'll need. I have a tub in a similar state and I just feel it's probably better to allocate my space and my money toward those things I need now (or soon) and worry about the other when I get to it. 'Course, my garage is packed to the gills...

[cn2800]

Thanks! That shop was the reason I purchased an otherwise completely unremarkable house.

In appreciation for everyone here, I'd like to offer for free the one set of parts I know I won't be re-using: the BEAUTIFUL dealer-installed side guard moldings. They're in perfect shape, and I'll throw in a drill bit and chalk line for good measure.