BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Michigan Build, Garland, Never ending project, 8/2023 reinstalling headlamp housings Options

[Garland]

The start:
2016 Build-Off
Here I go!

I purchased the car on eBay in 1999 site unseen, and only two polorid's in the post. Looked great, sitting in a empty dusty old garage. I ask lots of questions, original paint? Factory new looking wheels? History, on and on.

He couldn't tell me anything about the car, his buddy owned it and he new nothing.
Singed over ownership 6 mts ago. He did say looks like a great car, and knows it was fast. Says 2.0 on it. 400 miles away, a buddy with a flat bed, it was worth the risk. Price was right.

On arrival, I'm on it, all over the car. Long story short the thrill is gone!
Repaint in somebody's garage, 50 footer, or a polorid. Rear end hit, hard, car pushed into something damaged the left front. Right front damage, not to bad.
Engine runs on 2 cylinders, yet it is a 2.0, with carbs. Must have been the reason for the FIRE in the engine bay. One head is trashed from the fire, and theirs nothing else to talk about, except the A/C system they must have got on eBay and hacked into the car.

(Key words: eBay, "was" fast, Polorid, and risk)

I swapped in a 1.7 and a tail shift 2.0 exchangers with triad exhaust. 1971 complete interior (had one). Plus just about every other trim part. Polished the paint, cleaned up the wheels, and I drove it. Now it's time to fix It.




MICHIGAN BUILD


(Short monthly update posts) @ Contest Link




1973 Red 1.7

5 Major Tasks to complete during the Challenge:

1. Replace back half of rear trunk floor. (Rusted, rear ended, poorly patched)





& Replace entire rear body panel, and Bumper. (Rear ended, poorly repaired)





& Patch in 1/2 left front fender. (Poorly repaired)





2. Delete headlamp doors, modify hood, and relocate headlamps.





3. Install 4 steel flares, and modify all valances. 5 lug, and wheel tire package.





4. Build up, and replace engine.
Installed now:


With:
1.7 914 Engine balanced
260 x 396 Cam .006
96mm Big Bore kit
Mallory Unlite Distributor 14004
Weber 40 DCNF (w/ very short intakes)
Air jet 1.80 Main 1.25
2.0 L exhaust
Work in progress replacement.

5. Major interior renew.

Still need to finish the engine, and start it. Purchased here from a member a few years ago.
I have a 2nd 914 that I'm also working on, and been a owner of many since the 70's. I do all my own work. My enjoyment time.

[dakotaewing]

You might consider striping all the paint off the inside of the rear panel, and priming most of it prior to welding that piece in...
it will be easier to treat the small areas of rust with the panel out as well -

Looking good!!