'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.

[malcolm2]

my 2 cents on the group buy...

I believe the vendor will offer a group buy on new items that they are just now making. A group buy helps cover the volume needed for a 1st run, testing and design costs, plus cover some or all of the mold or set up costs.

The items in the group buy are eventually available for purchase as part of that vendors regular items, they are just at regular prices now.

The parts should be available or "find-able" when you need them, but might cost more or might be free.

I have had lots of people "pay it forward" and I have done some of that as well to help a 914 brother out.

Good luck.