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Posted by: zprovo Oct 30 2020, 03:37 PM

Hello!

I am new to the world of 914s. I was looking at a car on sunday that had good longs, the hellhole looked good, floors looked good (the interior is pulled out). All the exterior sheetmetal is nice and straight. Then I popped the hood to the "frunk". There was a big hole in what I would call the passenger side firewall...what is this called in a mid engine car?

Picture for reference below


I think this is the area where the windshield washer bottle would usually reside. There are a few smaller holes under where the gas tank should be and the pedal box is pretty rusty. Apparently mice had taken up residence, chewed up the wiring and created a bunch of rust while relieving themselves.

How scared should I be of this car? It's been sitting for 31 years, I can handle the myriad of mechanical and electrical issues this car will have, but I will probably need to sub out the rust work.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.




I don't know why I can't get this to load with the correct orientation... that is the hood spring on the lower left for reference and passenger door beyond.

Posted by: Tdskip Oct 30 2020, 03:49 PM

First of all - welcome!

That is going to be non-trivial to repair. Looks like something was cut for an accessory - one of the curves is neat and clearly not rust caused. My guess is it was cut and not properly protected and then rust took hold. You really need to understand how far that rust extends.

Unless it is really inexpensive it might be better to start with a car without that issue.

Posted by: mepstein Oct 30 2020, 03:53 PM

Tip of the iceberg

Posted by: brcacti Oct 30 2020, 04:01 PM

Is the car selling VERY cheap?

Posted by: brant Oct 30 2020, 04:01 PM

my first impression is "scary"

I'd take a magnet to the longs, (pull the rockers)
might be worth finding a different one.

Posted by: zprovo Oct 30 2020, 05:07 PM

Thank you all for the guidance!
My brain said to walk away...then the devil started whispering in my ear that maybe it would be ok...

Posted by: Costa05 Oct 30 2020, 06:25 PM

I would look closer at the pedal cluster. Mine was rusted solid and the base sheet metal was completely rusted through. Not an easy repair. Very spendy unless you know fabrication and can weld.

Posted by: cary Oct 30 2020, 08:05 PM

Urine damage from rat of mice nest.................. BTDT
Taylor Whitesell's car (914 Rubber)

Posted by: Mikey914 Oct 31 2020, 06:59 PM

First of all welcome
Here’s the thread of the experience we had from our experience.
The key is what’s under the tank. Give this thread a good look.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=298851&hl=Taylor’s+car+thanks+to+Wes

Posted by: wes Oct 31 2020, 08:20 PM

QUOTE(cary @ Oct 30 2020, 07:05 PM)

Posted by: Gint Nov 1 2020, 05:53 AM

That's disgusting.

I would pass on that. And @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=24697

If you're close enough, I'd ask Perry Kiehl @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=439 if you could visit.

Posted by: mlindner Nov 1 2020, 06:25 AM

zprovo, do you have pictures of the rest of the car. Mark

Posted by: Cairo94507 Nov 1 2020, 06:28 AM

Welcome to the madness. All of these cars are going to have some rust that needs repairing. The trick is to find one with as little rust as possible. Several have already said it, but get a magnet and check the remainder of the car for covered up rust. What are they asking for that car? Free? Then maybe not bad given you would at least have to replace that panel. But that would be a pain in the rear replacement job.

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Nov 1 2020, 09:35 AM

Find a better chassis. Thanks for the referral @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=20 but I'm not taking any work until I get moved to east TN and build a shop

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Nov 1 2020, 10:08 AM

amazing what rat urine can do, there was once a very low mile six out there years ago that had the same damage, car was original paint and excellent except for that same area, rusted through! If that is the only rust it is a fairly easy repair, and the parts are readily available Rodents are very evil to a 914. Once we had to cut open a virgin longitudinal to find the smelly rotted rats and their nest. (reminded me of the urban legend about the very cheaply priced low mile corvette that would never sell because someone had died in and they could never get the smell out of it)

Posted by: zprovo Nov 2 2020, 09:39 AM

QUOTE(Mikey914 @ Oct 31 2020, 06:59 PM)

First of all welcome
Here’s the thread of the experience we had from our experience.
The key is what’s under the tank. Give this thread a good look.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=298851&hl=Taylor’s+car+thanks+to+Wes

Posted by: zprovo Nov 2 2020, 09:43 AM

Here is a link to the ad. You will notice the huge hole is not represented...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1596128297235730

Posted by: rjames Nov 2 2020, 01:41 PM

It's all fixable, but with the additional rust that can be seen on the engine components you'll have a lot more work to do than just the rust on the body of the car. Given what you'll need to spend to get this car back on the road you're probably better off spending it on a car that's in better shape and currently running.

Posted by: zprovo Nov 2 2020, 02:32 PM

Thank you all for the input. I'm sure I'll be back.