New member with 1974 2.0, Making progress but still work to do Options

[Shadowfax]

Hey everyone. Been lurking here for a month or so and finally had the courage to post (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Picked up an original '74 Light Ivory 2.0 liter that was sitting for about 15 years. Appears to be a Texas car that made its way up to Arkansas, which is where I found it.
Walked the first time I saw it because of rusted rear floor pans but it ran and everything was there, including the owner's manual (missing front cover) and tool kit (surface rust on all tools except tow hook).
Went back the next weekend after much thought and some discussion with a guy at church who restores vintage VWs and "cut his teeth on 914s" (sounds painful). He's busy cutting out the cancer and I've been busy ordering replacement panels from Restoration Design haha.
Anyway wanted to introduce myself. I'll get more pics up as the restoration progresses. Engine and tranny are out, as is most of the interior.

Here's one of when I picked it up. More to come later.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422798623.1.jpg)

[Shadowfax]

Thanks for the kind words. It is a solid car even with some of its issues.

One of the first things I did when I got home was start removing the interior to check for rust. Here's the interior after removing most of the carpet.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.1.jpg)

Removed the front trunk carpet and spare and found that the floors are pretty solid.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.2.jpg)

Found a little bit of rot around the headlight bucket and the front of the cowl.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.4.jpg)

Rear trunk has some surface rust but it can be wire wheeled and treated.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.5.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.6.jpg)

This is what scared me off initially -- the passenger's side floorboard is bad and the driver's side had a previous "repair".
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.8.jpg)

Thought I could get away with just the short rear pan but the guy working on it recommended getting the full rear pan -- there are some pin holes just North of the e-brake area but he said the reinforcement, tunnel, and front pans (including the pedal box) were all in good shape. This is after he cut out the previous "repair". Reminds me of Fred Flintstone's car a little.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.9.jpg)

So this thing came out:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.10.jpg)

And we were able to get a closer look at the problem areas. Passenger's long is repairable and the rockers are solid, but will need a little work. He also said he could repair the engine shelf, including the separated seam.
Pass jack tube:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.11.jpg)

Pass rocker:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.12.jpg)

Pass long:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.13.jpg)

Driver's jack tube and rocker:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817141.14.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.15.jpg)

No battery tray, but suspension console below is solid:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.16.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.17.jpg)

Almost had a stroke here but this is all repairable:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.18.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.19.jpg)

Engine bay and bottom of rear trunk:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.20.jpg)

Should have some more pics soon. Restoration Design has sent me rear jack points, seat and hinge reinforcements, hinges, ebrake cable surround and short rear floor pans. Returning the shorts for a full rear on Monday and also getting a battery tray, the battery tray support and jack tube surrounds.

Also ordering the Tangerine Racing stainless fuel lines and other hoses. Really don't want this thing to burn up haha.

Have ordered some parts from 914rubber and will be ordering more -- first will be the engine bay seals then eventually (after it's structurally and mechanically sound) window, trunk and Targa top seals, probably other goodies too.

Ordered new seals for the motor along with all the necessary tune-up parts and shifter and pedal bushings.

Here are some of my other cars:

Daily driver
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.21.jpg)

Weekend and sunny-day toy
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1104.photobucket.com-18340-1422817142.22.jpg)