Starting a 1973 restoration, Restoring a left for dead $500 914... Options

[FourBlades]

Hello 914 World Members!

I am starting on restoring a $500 914 that was left in a field for several years with no windshield. The car belonged to the POs older brother and thus has sentimental value. The sold it to me on the condition that I not part it out. I was looking for a project so this was fine with me. This is my first restoration project so I figured I would learn a lot (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The car is a mixture of really good sections, appears to have suffered no major accidents, is straight, never been repainted--but it has totally rusted out floors and hell hole. All the suspension mounting points are not rusted. The door gaps are all even and good. If I can replace the floors, I think it will be a good straight car. Many small parts were stolen while it was "stored" and the wiring loom is a complete loss.

Thanks for any comments...John

[Chuck]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

As Yogi would say, its deja vu all over again. I picked up a '73 last April. Previous owner had not driven the car in over 15 years and had let it sit. Rear window leaked. Rear floorpan is rusted and a complete floor replacement will occur. Lower inner firewall is also rusted and needs work. Hell hole is pretty bad and will need to do some metal replacement on the inner and outer longs. But . . .

Original paint. No accidents. Door gaps are good. Car is straight. Will be doing a complete restoration and a 6 conversion. PO had undercoated the inner fender wells as well. A lot of the undercoating is now flaking off. I'm stripping the complete car to bare metal as part of the resto.

Welcome to the madness. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

[FourBlades]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

As Yogi would say, its deja vu all over again. I picked up a '73 last April. Previous owner had not driven the car in over 15 years and had let it sit. Rear window leaked. Rear floorpan is rusted and a complete floor replacement will occur. Lower inner firewall is also rusted and needs work. Hell hole is pretty bad and will need to do some metal replacement on the inner and outer longs. But . . .

Original paint. No accidents. Door gaps are good. Car is straight. Will be doing a complete restoration and a 6 conversion. PO had undercoated the inner fender wells as well. A lot of the undercoating is now flaking off. I'm stripping the complete car to bare metal as part of the resto.

Welcome to the madness. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

I think I will take off the undercoating as well. Any tips on how to remove what is left of the edges of the floor pan? Is this a matter of drilling out spot welds and peeling it off with an air chisel?

What size six are you thinking of putting in? I have not decided on a motor yet, but would like lots of torque for AX, maybe a big type 4.

[Chuck]

What size six are you thinking of putting in? I have not decided on a motor yet, but would like lots of torque for AX, maybe a big type 4.

If you decide to go the big 4 route check out Jake Raby. If you want to autocross your car, the 4 is probably your best choice - others here may disagree. A number of Jake's combos put out as much hp and torque as some sixes and you save weight. Run a search here for Jake's stuff or visit his site at www.aircooledtechnology.com

My car will be just a street car. I was going to go 4 until I located a nice 3.2 six. Now, the 4 will be saved for a future Spyder project.

[Jake Raby]

What size six are you thinking of putting in? I have not decided on a motor yet, but would like lots of torque for AX, maybe a big type 4.

If you decide to go the big 4 route check out Jake Raby. If you want to autocross your car, the 4 is probably your best choice - others here may disagree. A number of Jake's combos put out as much hp and torque as some sixes and you save weight. Run a search here for Jake's stuff or visit his site at www.aircooledtechnology.com

My car will be just a street car. I was going to go 4 until I located a nice 3.2 six. Now, the 4 will be saved for a future Spyder project.

Yep, if a powerful lightweight, nimble car is to be in the future feel free to yell at me!

We now have 200HP in kit form and 225 in Turnkey form..

On pump gas.