Adventures of an old 914-6, Keeping it in the family and making memories Options

[vintage914racer]

As a regular lurker, and occasional forum participant (primarily when I find myself in a pickle and need to "phone a friend") I've always enjoyed ongoing build and "keeping them on the road and running" threads. So in an effort to do the same for myself, and perhaps prevent haphazardly ad hoc and disjointed threads for projects and updates, I figured I'd try to pull things together into my own, ongoing thread.

This thread is about "Speedy," my 1970 factory 914-6. The car has spent more time off the road than on, but as of late I've proclaimed it's the year of Speedy and started tackling a long list of updates. Before we get into those details, here's a bit about Speedy...

My memories with Speedy go back the the mid-80's when I was a pudgy four or five year old. Back when safety was more of a suggestion than a requirement, I'd often tag along in the front seat between my mom and dad on backroad blasts and the occasional trip up to Brainerd International Raceway when IMSA used to run up there.

Why the name "Speedy?" Well I suppose because as a kid I saw the 180mph speedy, felt my dad's right foot initiate some speedy acceleration, and perhaps because I distinctly remember my mom, in the passenger seat look up from what she was reading, glance at the speedo and shriek upon the realization that we were doing 120mph. By 1980s perspective, particularly that of a 6 year old, the car was Speedy. By today's standards? I'm not sure. But it sure is fun. And for the record, I'm not typically one to name a car, but apparently I was as a youth. And its stuck.

Here's she is, for reference...



It's worth noting that my Dad bought Speedy after he overcame a horrible battle with blood cancer (where they initially gave him 60 days to live). After paying off some truly excessive hospital bills that piled up during his better part of a year spent in the hospital, Speedy was his "I kicked Cancer's ass" celebratory purchase. He bought it at Carousel Porsche Audi in Golden Valley, MN, and perhaps not by coincidence, when I was a teenager I kicked off 10 years of employment at that very same dealership.

Stay tuned for more about our early years with Speedy and my journey as caretaker...

[vintage914racer]

I managed to get a bit done this weekend, although the garage heater had its work cut out for it offsetting the frigid temps outside. Last winter I reinsulated the garage and added a massive reversible ceiling fan that's done wonders for keeping the garage comfortable enough even on the coldest days.



With my trailing arms freshly painted, it was time get them out of the dining room and put them back together. The rarely used shop press got a bit more use pressing the new shafts in.



From there I got the wheel bearings installed.



I made quick work of getting the bearing retainer plates back on and pulled the hubs back into place.



I also got the rear shock assemblies removed in anticipation of threaded coilover collars arriving in the mail sometime this week. I intended to use Rebel Racing threaded collars, but Tarett was out of stock. Despite having had good service actually working through client at Rebel Racing in the past, I figured I wouldn't push my luck and hence trying to order through Tarett. Being unsuccessful, I ended up ordering collars from Ground Control. That's what I have on my track car, so I know they'll work as intended on the street car.



Next up....reinstalling the trailing arms.