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Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 2 2022, 12:34 AM

I think 72 is the same as the 70–71 panel, like this:


I am restoring a 70 and it's got a factory replacement panel, but its ... it's actually a bit odd. I think it is a "vintage" version of a 75–76. It has no bumper holes but does have holes for the rubber plugs below, and it has (kind of nice) drain corrugations in the upper seal channel..



It was apparent to start that it wasn't installed very well, I think it's brazed in all around.


and some gaps in the lower corners and problems with the seal channels. The gaps at the top of the lower support on both sides bug me. It's a problem with the shape of the late panel, the early panel goes back all at once, without tho step that the late has.


As I get into it, more hacks come up that were done to make the panel work. The late panel, the headlight buckets are sort of stepped at the front where the early are straight across so mine have been slit and pounded down to fill the gap, and then covered with seem sealer. After scraping the sealer:


As I am prepping this area for paint and working out the seal channels, it's seeming more and more like replacing the front panel is probably the best course of action, the differences between the late and early really adding up.

So looking for an early front panel/front clip, in the socal area. Have Sawzall and will cut. I think to get it intact I need to take a bit of the front of the fenders and lower pan and headlight buckets as these areas will take some time to properly separate.

Posted by: sixnotfour Jul 2 2022, 12:48 AM

ihave one a bit rusty , with head light buckets.. was gonna cut the earlry bit off\it and toss the rest,,but / il post pics tomorrow..

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 5 2022, 11:15 AM

Still looking...

Partwerks sent me pics of a 73/74 panel that looked ok if a bit on the rusty side, but it's in Chicago.

I'm holding out hope that there is an option that's closer to Socal, a bit more dry and from a 70–72.

That said, it's quickly getting to the point where not having an option is going to stop my momentum on this build and I'm veering toward being okay with a 73/74 panel.

sIxnotfour mentioned cutting out the early bits of the one he has, and I thought about a bit of this if I could get a 73/74



So, stilling looking for an option that would work. Anyone have front panel/front clip?

Posted by: JamesJ Jul 5 2022, 10:16 PM

Have you checked with High Performance House in Redwood City, CA?

Posted by: sixnotfour Jul 6 2022, 10:51 PM

got consumed with a nervous doggy..will post tomorrow..

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 7 2022, 12:32 PM

I talked to Rich at High Performance House, and he is hopefully going to get back to me with what he has. He did say, "it's not going to be cheap" I said $500 plus shipping? and he said it was in the ball park.

Not a lot of options though, and if it is early and not too rusty.. have to say that is the plan. —have to value your time.

That said, Every one of these that I've seen besides the factory replacement one that is on the car, the seal channels are a mess, so hopefully he won't ask as much as that for one that needs a bunch of work.

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 15 2022, 02:24 PM

I'm still looking for one of these. Rich at High Performance House says he hasn't forgotten about me, but hasn't had time to look, not sure when he might get to it.

I've got the panel off the car, and I'd like to start putting it back in shape, but it's hard without the proper panel to fit things up.

If anyone has a lead on one, let me know.

Posted by: JamesJ Jul 15 2022, 06:38 PM

Hi Nathan,
I could go over to High Performance House to have a look for you. I may have some time early next week or if not, the following week.

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 15 2022, 08:45 PM

I'm not sure what their setup is like. Today when I called them back at one point I was like, "I thought you had like a bunch of cars there that you are parting out?"— Somehow that was my impression, somewhere I read they have like 300 914's, but looking at google maps I don't know where they'd have 300 914's. Rich said they have several warehouses and they have to look around, that he's got cut off parts everywhere, body pieces and such. At one point I was thinking maybe I can come there and take a look, but then I don't know if they'd be keen on letting me wander around their warehouse...

At the same time, it kind of struck me it would be like Avery's Aircooled up in Washington, kind of like an indoor junkyard/pick-a-part. I cut an accelerator pedal out of a bus there, they lent me a sawszall, and let me go all over, walk around and look at everything, so much fun.

But yeah, if you are up to check, $50 finders fee? lol Let me know

Posted by: JamesJ Jul 15 2022, 10:54 PM

Nathan, happy to help out. I also thought of a place closer to you. Vince at Weedon's Air cooled. (760) 600-6297. Perhaps you've tried them.
Rich at HPH will tell you that he has taken apart over 300 914s.
There are sections of cars under tarps in the outside yard. That's where you would find your part if he has it. He gives tours all the time. Call Vince if you haven't already, then PM me for further discussion about going to HPH.

Posted by: Pezz Jul 16 2022, 06:55 AM

This clip is not bad, from a 1970. The drivers fender was clipped. Light boxes have some decay. I can cut off whatever you need. PM me for more photos. In central Oregon. @Pezz

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 16 2022, 10:31 AM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=23621 Pm Sent

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 16 2022, 10:37 AM

I did contact Vince right off — he's got a post on Orange County Craigslist saying he can get body panels etc. Weird though after asking all these questions what I want and years and conceding I can work with 73/74 besides 70, 71, or 72, he got back that he has no front cross panels which I thought was weird since his ad shows like a virtual junkyard of 914's that clearly aren't all 75/76. I was thinking maybe he doesn't want to sacrifice fenders for the front panel.

If need be I can graft parts of the late panel on the sides, gotta work with what I can get.

Hopefully Pezz will be able to ship. I will let you know @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=24202

Posted by: Pezz Jul 16 2022, 05:13 PM

nathanx...
We can do this easily.
See lines here for cuts as you described.
Please edit as you want.
Trim would be a lot easier aft of the light buckets.
Shipping not much more.
Check your PM for cutting and shipping costs, probably $260 total.
Thank you~
~Pezz

Posted by: Pezz Jul 18 2022, 05:56 AM

See photos for the cut cross panel.
Weighs 28 lbs.
PM me with further details.
Thanks
~Pezz

Posted by: Pezz Jul 21 2022, 12:21 PM

Ok Nathan,
Final clip
ready to ship
Check your messages
@Pezz

Posted by: nathanxnathan Jul 21 2022, 01:55 PM

Looks awesome! I can hardly wait