My '74 Budget GT Tribute build, Undergoing repairs to the shell Options

[pencap914]

Hi all,

Picked up project car about 2 weeks ago. I'm very excited to get started on this build, I'll try to document and share my progress as I go. I originally created a profile here at 914World back in 2006 when I was in High school, and had bought a 74 914 as my first car for $1200. It was a great first car, I had a lot of fun fixing it up while using it as my daily. When I went off to college, I sold the car, but felt like I had unfinished business to do.

Recently I started lurking here again looking to get back into a project 914 to hopefully take the car where I wanted to, but didn't have the funds, skills, or space to do so.

I posted a WTB ad, and was contacted by a member here who had a good start to a project I plan on finishing (Thanks Montreal914!)

My plan is to build my dream 914 that I absolutely drooled over when I was in High School. I've always loved the GT look, so my plan is to basically create as close to a GT clone as my budget will allow. Steel GT flares, 5-lug Fuch's (or replicas...) and a tastefully somewhat period correct interior. The car I recently purchased did include a freshly rebuilt 2.0 4cyl engine, so I need to make a decision on if I would want to run that engine for a while, and save my pennies to slowly build a 2.2, 2.4 or 2.7 flat 6 then do a swap later down the road.

I'm happy to see the 914 community thriving. Back in 2004 when I first bought the 914, Porsche snobs seemed to turn their nose at them which made them affordable enough for a high-school kid to own one. It seems like the 914 is getting more recognition in the collector community, so I'm happy I picked one up before they become too out of my price range!

I'll post some progress photos tonight and general status of the car tonight after work, but here's a few shots of the day I unloaded it off the trailer.

Cheers,

pencap914

[pencap914]

Tony-

Just found your handle on IG. Holy cow that's a nice build you have there. Hoping my build will turn out similar!

In the near future I'll need to weld on that oil feed pipe bracket. I saw someone made these and had them for sale (Perhaps tangerine racing?) I thought about making one too, looks pretty simple. Nothing a body saw and a die grinder couldn't handle. If you have pix and dimensions handy that would be much appreciated if you sent that over!

Good eye, yeah that's a Behr oil cooler from a Mercedes. Eric (Montreal914) included it when I bought the car from him.

Luke-

I'm noodling through the T-stat location now, still might go with a Mocal t-stat since they're about half the price of a Porsche unit off an SC or something. I Like what Ben (mb911) has done with his t-stat setup. (See the "914-6 GT oil cooler set up install and prototyping thread") I think my T-stat will go somewhere in a similar location, about where the old left side 4cyl engine mount went. I'll certainly post more pictures as I make progress!

Eric-

Thanks! I've only been casually asking around for a paint shop, no solid leads yet. A friend of mine recommended a place in Reno where he's had a few classic cars painted. His logic is outside of California, shops can use better paints since California is restrictive on the chemicals used.... not sure if this is true or not. There are a few shops outside of Sacramento that I may call to get quotes from as well.

I'm even considering hauling the shell up to Brosseau's coachworks in Oregon City to have him chuck up the shell on a Cellete bench, then media blast and epoxy primer. However, he's about 9-12 months out from having availability at the moment...

Let me know if you find a good shop! As you know, I have friends that live in SoCal and don't mind the haul down there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)