Starting a 1971 IMSA 914 Restoration, A privateer run 914 with Sebring and Daytona history Options

[gms]

John,
I would figure out what organization you plan on racing with first.
I would also recommend using dzus fastener (or other similar fasteners) so you can change the body work to match each organizations requirements. I race with Midwest Council and VSCDA around here and have no issues with the wider IMSA flares. When I went to an event run by SVRA they wanted to put me in with the prototypes or the Mustang/ Corvette group. Having only a 2.2 L six this was less than appealing. The wheel size will also come into play, VSCDA requires 15 x 7s for my car so using my 12” wide Gotti’s is just not an option. The IMSA race car I am now restoring will be capable of a quick fender and wheel change to get me into any vintage club.

The fenders from GT racing are called GT quarter panels but look similar to what came on your car…I guess you need to confirm what you would get from them.

[FourBlades]

Glenn,

Thanks that is great advice. I will plan to use dzus for the rear flares.

Is there the same issue for the front fenders or would you bond those on?

I will check into the GT racing flares. Their web site says they fit 12" rims. I will
call and talk to them.

I have been studying the various rule books and noticed the heavy class you get
into once you have a larger engine than the factory 914 GTs used, which was less
than the 2.5s used in GTU.

To make this thing authentic to what it was I want to make it a GTU car with IMSA
GTU bodywork for when I go to Pebble Beach. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

If I can swap on narrower bodywork for an event, then that would be great.

I'm trying to finish the bodywork and paint before the Tropic Ramble in early
November. I am going to need to go on a major parts buying kick here to have
everything I need.

Been working on and off on this project for 4 years now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

John

[FourBlades]

Welded on a new sill plate.



I need the engine side to match this bulkhead motor mount.

I think this is the stock style 914-6 engine mount.

Does anyone have one for sale or know where I can get one?



John

[carr914]

Welded on a new sill plate.



I need the engine side to match this bulkhead motor mount.

I think this is the stock style 914-6 engine mount.

Does anyone have one for sale or know where I can get one?



John

John, Almost Positive I have one. I will check when I get back from Orlando tomorrow

T.C.

[FourBlades]

That would be great, T.C.

John

[gms]

Thanks that is great advice. I will plan to use dzus for the rear flares.
Is there the same issue for the front fenders or would you bond those on?

I am dzusing the front fenders as well

I have been studying the various rule books and noticed the heavy class you get
into once you have a larger engine than the factory 914 GTs used, which was less
than the 2.5s used in GTU.

from what I have seen many vintage groups are ok with a 2.5L

To make this thing authentic to what it was I want to make it a GTU car with IMSA
GTU bodywork for when I go to Pebble Beach. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

i will see your there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Been working on and off on this project for 4 years now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

I feel your pain but at least I have a car to race in the interim

[FourBlades]

You are kicking ass with your current IMSA racer, Glenn, looks like fun.

I ordered the GT-Racing rear fenders. I called them to talk about the fenders.
They have had the molds for these fenders since the 80s and weren't sure
exactly where they came from. They really look like the ones that came on the
car, that was a great tip Glenn. I briefly looked at them while I was doing my
web search but they did not look wide enough. They say 12" rims will fit so that
should be good with the Gottis. I noticed that under the red paint on my Gottis
is the gold color that you see in the old pictures.

GT-racing has to make up a set for me because some dude named Britain ordered
their last sets for some crazy 914 he is building. The GT-racing guys were like
what is going on with all the wide 914 builds right now? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

John

[FourBlades]

Added some bars extending down to the transmission mounts.



Welded on a new engine shelf.



There were some pea sized rust holes showing here.



MMM, crusty. Your car is just as bad, it is just hidden under nice paint. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)



Keep digging until solid stuff is found. Still a little more trimming to go.



This is actually easy to fix because you can just stand right next to it and work.
No leaning way over or crawling underneath anything to get to it.

John

[ThePaintedMan]

Whoa, I didn't know that was the timeframe John! Maybe you could give me an idea of what weekends you want to work on the car and I can tell you which ones I could make? Lookin good as usual. Glad you found that rust under the fender before you went ahead and painted it. It surely would have come back to haunt you later on.

[Jgilliam914]

Being a total newbie to the club and somewhat in the middle stages of a restoration of my 914 that I have had over 32 years. Jesus did I just say 32 years???
Your metal work is phenomenal! Makes me want to go back in and tear some things apart and do a better job! I wish I would have taken the time to do some research and find this website when I first started to tear into my car 8 years ago. I am just thankful the car was a fairly dry California car when I bought it and the metal work I had to do wasn't anything like you have taken on. My hat is off to you and your work inspires me to do much better from here on out.

Jerry

[FourBlades]

Hey Jerry, thanks for the kind words. I am really just an amateur hack compared to a lot
of the folks on 914 World and they have likewise inspired me to keep trying to improve
the quality of my work. When you see really good work, especially in person, you know
what it is possible to do. When I can shrink as well as distort and abuse metal then I
will be happy.

Some of my favorite threads that I learned a lot from are:

Diggin into hell

Bringing out the dead

Start a thread and document what you are doing with your car, it is great for keeping
your motivation going.

John

[FourBlades]

Rebuilding the cowl starting with the inner piece (peace).

Vacuumed a lot of mud dauber nests out of the windshield frame and door post.
Banging on the windshield frame dislodges the old nests and they fall down into
this area. After a lot of banging and digging with a screwdriver I cleaned them all
out. Shot a bunch of etching primer in there before closing it up.



Next add the outer piece.



Then magically close it up and paint it. Still some pinholes to fix.



Now on to yet more nuisance welding. There were a buncha holes like this in the bottom
of the windshield frame.



Add a backer behind the hole, holding it in place for welding with some screwdrivers.



Just sploog up the holes with loads of weld bead and prepare to fill the next hole.

Using some magnets to keep the next backer in place until it is tacked.



All ground down nicely.



Weld up the radio antenna hole. I was almost disappointed to find the fender and cowl
are solid on this side.



Weld up a hole I believe was used to route the fuel overflow line from the cell to the
ping pong ball apparatus.



I've been working towards closing all the unneeded holes in the firewalls. There must be
ten other holes like this one I have welded up. Getting closer every week...

John

[URY914]

John, have seen this one...

[carr914]

Weld up the radio antenna hole. I was almost disappointed to find the fender and cowl
are solid on this side.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[Evil914]

Damn that's a cool ride.Keep up the great work!

[maf914]

John, have seen this one...

Thanks for the photo, Paul. I know it is intended for John's 914, but I always like seeing those old Group 44 cars. I do remember seeing the Group 44 TR8 way back when. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Brett W]

What size welding wire are you using? Looks like you need to drop your wire speed and up your heat slightly.

[FourBlades]

Paul, that picture was posted by Glenn in post #206, but thanks for thinking of me.
You have a great collection of vintage photos for sure.

I always use .30 wire because it feeds better than .23 with my Hobart welder. This
welder only has 4 voltage settings. Been thinking about upgrading to a Miller 180 or
other machine with infinite voltage control.

John

[FourBlades]

Been working a lot but not posting much.

The rust repair is done. Major welding is done except for a few small things.

I sanded and cleaned it as much as I could stand and then sprayed a couple coats of primer/sealer to protect it during the mock up phase.



When everything has been bolted on it will get taken apart for final painting.

John

[no1uno]

What a difference. Your car has come a long way. Can't wait to see it continue.