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Posted by: smg914 Mar 19 2007, 10:25 PM

I thought I was dreaming. The phone rang Sunday morning at 8:00 (I don't get up before 9). The guy on the phone says, "Your 914-6 GT is here, where do you want me to drop it off"?

They were supposed to give me a 24 hour notice but didn't. The car wasn't due here until Thursday or Friday. I got dressed in about 30 seconds and I was waiting behind Lowes Home Center within about 5 minutes.

They had to move an Aston Martin DB9 to get my car out of the truck. My car had about a sixteenth of an inch of dust on it. I paid the guy, got in the car and drove it around for about a half hour. Unfortunately I already committed to taking my finanical advisor to a Yankee vs the Pirates pre-season baseball game and had to take the car home and get ready for the game.

Today (Monday) I've already removed the interior, the antenna on the left rear quarter panel and the rear PORSCHE reflector. It goes in the body shop on Thursday to repair the damage caused by the installation of the antenna and the reflector.

The tangerine roof is the next thing to be replaced. Anyone got a excellant condition original condition roof they would like to get rid of?


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 19 2007, 10:55 PM

When Erich Strenger owned the car he had a PORSCHE reflector installed (see the 6 large holes) that permitted the original center button to be used. It actually stuck thru a hole in the center of the reflector. Later when Gerhard purchased the car from Erich he removed the reflector with the center hole and installed a different version of the reflector (see the 4 smaller holes). So now I have 10 holes to be welded shut.


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Posted by: Mid_Engine_914 Mar 19 2007, 11:01 PM

:JEALOUS:

Posted by: Twystd1 Mar 20 2007, 12:04 AM

Thanks for living MY dream....

Can I have my dream back????

Cheers and Happy ownership..!!!

Clayton

Posted by: orthobiz Mar 20 2007, 06:02 AM

Did your financial advisor agree with your purchase? Looks like it's orange car week! Congrats!!!

You need to post the just-removed-reflector picture in the thread where a member recently asked if anyone had a front hood emblem or reflector. Them's some set of holes!

Paul

Posted by: watsonrx13 Mar 20 2007, 06:11 AM

Congratulations Steve....

I can't wait to see it in person....

-- Rob

Posted by: rick 918-S Mar 20 2007, 08:40 AM

very nice! That rear panel is an easy fix. she'll be as good as new!

Posted by: Quebecer Mar 20 2007, 12:27 PM

I'm interested in that reflector if you don't need it, assuming it's in good condition.

Let me know what your price is?

Dan

Posted by: brer Mar 20 2007, 12:33 PM

my GT still hasn't shown up.

Posted by: smg914 Mar 20 2007, 12:36 PM

A nice gentleman from Spain has his name on it. If that falls thru, I'll get back to you. It is in excellant condition.

Posted by: Quebecer Mar 20 2007, 12:49 PM

Excellent!

Posted by: BAM Mar 20 2007, 01:55 PM

Very nice Steve Have fun with it and thanks for sharing...

JP

Posted by: LarryR Mar 20 2007, 11:52 PM

Very nice car!

Posted by: 914rrr Mar 21 2007, 12:46 AM

Congratulations Steve!!!!

I was curious how the body shop is going to fill in the holes.

I saw an article awhile back (European Car mag?) where they used circular punch tools to clean up the holes and welded in circular steel fillers, then used machinists dye and filed it smooth...no bondo or evidence where it was repaired.

Posted by: autohausdolby Mar 21 2007, 03:35 AM

Nice!

Posted by: smg914 Mar 21 2007, 09:31 AM

I was having them welded shut. If that is not the correct way to do it, I hope some one will speak up. I've had this done on a previous 914 that I owned and you couldn't tell anything was done to it. I believe they put a block of wood up against the hole and then do the welding from the other side.

Posted by: URY914 Mar 21 2007, 09:59 AM

You COULD use a block of wood and get the same results. But the pros use a brass dolly that you use behind the hole and you weld it up from the front. The welding rod or wire doesn't "stick" to the brass.

Posted by: Travis Neff Mar 21 2007, 02:31 PM

Those sized holes should use a metal patch butt welded in. You could just fill it with weld, but the panel will be jacked after all that heat & will need a lot of work to straighten them out again.

Posted by: smg914 Mar 21 2007, 02:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I certainly want this done the right way. I will discuss this with the body man. If I don't get a good feeling, I go somewhere else.

Posted by: watsonrx13 Mar 21 2007, 06:32 PM

Steve, here's a pic showing what Travis has recommended.... You'll notice 2 silver circles, these are metal patches that I welded in to fill in the holes near the battery where the A/C lines routed from the engine compartment...



-- Rob

Posted by: joeav8tor Mar 21 2007, 07:11 PM

nice looking brother...thanks for the call tonight.
Joe

Posted by: 914rrr Mar 21 2007, 08:58 PM

Steve,

What about butt welding in a donor 3/4 rear panel section vs. trying to fill in all the holes individually?

A complete panel replacement may be a bit extreme, but could be another option.

I have a 76 teener I was going to have a sawzall party with anyway....

In case you haven't seen Rob Watson's welding work, he did an outstanding job of butt welding some body panels. The repairs were damn near undetectable.

Posted by: smg914 Mar 21 2007, 09:17 PM

Thank's to both Rob's for your thoughts.
I just want to make sure you realize these holes are not as big as you may think. The biggest hole is about 5/8 of an inch. You can see the tip of my baby finger sticking through the hole. I talked to Rob W on the phone this evening and he now thinks that it would probably be best to use the "plug welding" method to repair the holes. This method does not use the cut metal patches. It's mainly the weld the hole shut method using the brass block.


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 21 2007, 09:19 PM

Thanks brother.....it was good talking to you!

Posted by: burton73 Mar 21 2007, 09:33 PM

Steve,

What are these holes? Happy George has you fixed up on the emblem.

Bob



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Posted by: smg914 Mar 21 2007, 09:37 PM

Yes Bob, it looks like George comes through again. I'm the happy one.

The larger holes were from an earlier installation of a rear PORSCHE reflector. That reflecter was removed and a new different version one was installed which required the drilling of new smaller holes in a different location. That is how it ended up with 10 holes. Nice HUH?

Posted by: smg914 Mar 21 2007, 11:22 PM

The highly respected Frank Hood called me this evening and he put me on to one of the best "metal guy" in Tampa Bay. I feel like he will do whatever is the best way to repair the holes. So I'll have one guy do the metal work and another guy do the paint. "I feel good....da da da da da da da....like I know that I should"

Posted by: URY914 Mar 22 2007, 08:37 PM

Hey Steve,

I'm done with your car ....






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Posted by: smg914 Mar 22 2007, 10:14 PM

Dam you do nice work Paul. I see you got some overspray on my bumper though.

Posted by: johnlush Mar 22 2007, 11:06 PM

Is this better? Congrats on the car Steve, we're all droolin'!

Posted by: Gustl Mar 23 2007, 12:46 AM

and he mounted the wrong emblem

Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 23 2007, 01:09 AM

Steve would you make a template of the hole locations for me ?

if so,
thick paper or cardboard , located along bottom body line and tail light to right, ink pen point emblem holes.

may never get the factory holes exposed agian , would be appreciated.


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 08:43 AM

No problem Jeff. PM me, with your address.
The only issue is that I believe one of the medium sized holes that was drilled for the reflector was drilled right on top of one of the small holes for the emblem. If I'm correct, it is the second hole to the right of the center locking button. Go back to the picture I posted of all the holes to verify what I'm talking about. However, once I get my NOS emblem I will be able to determine exactly where that small hole should be and I will then drill a hole through the weld at the correct location.

Posted by: orthobiz Mar 23 2007, 09:16 AM

How about a few more pics, make this a resto thread of sorts. What year car is it? I'm lovin' every minute, I've got the orange car thing going, too.

Thanks,

Paul

Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 11:14 AM

Hey Paul.....I just can't get over how fabulous your newly purchased phoenix red 914 is. You certainly did the right thing buying that car. A great find for a deserving owner.

My new car is a 1971. Really all I'm initially going to do to the car is: Put the correct interior in the car (which I already have), repair the rear panel where the reflector was, install the correct chrome bumpers and get a new black roof. Not really a restoration.

My only other immediate decisions will be the installation of the graffics like it had on it back in the early 70's. Side positive PORSCHE stripe and the front and possibly rear stripes as seen in the first and second Brian Long book and Das Grosse VW Porsche Buch.


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Posted by: orthobiz Mar 23 2007, 12:14 PM

Thanks for the compliment, my car may be going on the trailer today!

Nice garage, but isn't packing 'em in sideways some kinda cheating? I see a double decker in your future...

Paul

Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 02:27 PM

I took the car for a ride today and I took a few pictures.


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 02:27 PM

asdf


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 02:28 PM

asf


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 02:28 PM

asdf


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Posted by: Kargeek Mar 23 2007, 02:55 PM

Beautiful car...let's see more photos.

Back when I built mine I too had the large rear reflector holes. I butt welded plugs and hammer finished the panel - no one could tell afterwards. After all that work, drilling seven or so small holes in the panel for the euro emblem was not an option. I carefully cut 3-M double sided emblem tape to mount the emblem.

DH


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Posted by: Gustl Mar 23 2007, 03:16 PM

very cool detail that you already have the correct licence plate (even if it's the new Euro-look => blue section with white D on the left side)

Gustl

Posted by: burton73 Mar 23 2007, 09:10 PM

Steve,

Please save the template as far as position from the trunk latch to the first hole. Question I have on the steering wheel that was correct on your car and what you are doing for that? Is the crest correct on hood? I see some people with then and some without. Also the word PORSCHE on the engine lid. Some with and some without. I guess I should know this but do not.

How does it feel next to your other 6? Very nice looking car. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy

Regards,

Bob Burton

Posted by: Racing916 Mar 23 2007, 09:24 PM

Nice Europa!! any more pics of it?

Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 10:17 PM

Will do Bob. I will carefully document the location of all but one of the emblem holes. The car has a Prototipo steering wheel which is period correct but is not the correct wheel for this car. I love the Prototipo but I have the correct original 914-6 wheel that I more than likely will install. On the crest, it shouldn't be there. In fact I don't think Erich Strenger installed it, I believe Gerhard put it on. The Euro 914's didn't have the word PORSCHE on the engine lid. I believe it was an American thing. Oh and by the way my old 6 absolutely loves his new brother.

Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 10:21 PM

Ahhh yes the Europa. I love my Europa and would be happy to show you a picture or two.
Thanks


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 23 2007, 10:21 PM

How about one more?


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Posted by: BMXerror Mar 24 2007, 12:04 PM

Forgive my P-car ignorance, but what's the difference between a regular six, and a GT? How many GTs were produced? (I know they're rare) Also, what's that 'Europa' thing? Is that a factory car or is it a kit build majigor? I hope I don't get my house burned down for suggesting that it's a kit car.
Mark D.

Posted by: orthobiz Mar 24 2007, 12:26 PM

The Europa is a real, live Lotus but it makes the 914 look like a Suburban. Check out the pic in Steve's garage to see how low it is...

Paul

Posted by: burton73 Mar 24 2007, 01:02 PM

We are a club so we would never burn down your house. When I was 19. This was 35 years ago One of my best friends had a 73 2.0 914 then he sold that and got a yellow Lotus Europa. It is not than much smaller than a 914 but it is a super inserting car. It is like a Lotus racecar where the driver is in the center with the open wheels and the engine is in the back of him. My friend wrecked his. It is glass and he said he just stood up and pushed all the glass off of him to get out. Steve’s looks very special. I have never seen one painted like that, and as clean as all of his cars.

Bob

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Mar 24 2007, 04:06 PM

Think that is a "John Player Special", black with gold like the cigarette pack.

Posted by: smg914 Mar 24 2007, 04:34 PM

I just got back from The Festivals of Speed in St Petersburg. What a beautiful setting on the water and all those exotic cars. I was in charge of the vintage Porsche display. Great event. A long day though, my wife and I were there since 7:45 this morning.

My new car really isn't a GT. Real 914-6 GT's were actual race cars. There are conflicting numbers but there are approx. 27 documented factory made 914-6 GT's. My new car is a 914-6 M471 GT. I like to call it a homologation car. Kind of like the '72 and '73 911 RS which was a homologation car for the 911 RS race cars. There were 23 documented 914-6 M471 GT's made by the factory. It's basicily a GT look alike for the street that you could order from your local Porsche dealer in 1971. Option M471 was the "Competition Option". Yes it is very rare. I've been searching for an M471 914-6 for 19 years and to this day I only know where 9 of them are. And none of them are for sale (including mine).

The Europa: Although very early Europa's (1966-?) were kit cars, my 1974 Lotus Europa Special is not. It is a mid-engine, fiberglass, twin-cam 4 cylinder sports car that was always considered an affordable exotic. Although my Porsches get a lot of attention when I'm at a gas station or a red light, it certaily isn't anything close to the stir the Europa gets. Probably because most people have no idea what it is. Or they haven't seen one since the 70's.


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 24 2007, 04:42 PM

I have always been a big F-1 fan. In fact I used to go the the US Gran Prix at Watkins Glen, New York back in the early 70's. Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson drove for Lotus in the John Player Special sponsored cars. Emerson went on to win the World Championship in 1972 and Mario did again in 1973. I loved those cars and when Lotus came out with the Lotus Europa Special JPS edition, I just had to have one. I finally did get one but I waited over 30 years to get it. I absolutely love the association with the JPS F-1 era.

Posted by: SirAndy Mar 24 2007, 05:15 PM

and i'm sure you have been told already that "SAU" (the letters on your license plate) is the german word for "Pig", often used as a swear word or insult ...

looks like whoever got you that plate didn't like you much ...
Andy

Posted by: Racing916 Mar 24 2007, 06:45 PM

Cool, beautiful car, Thanks for showing me some more pics.

Steve

Posted by: type47fan Mar 24 2007, 07:15 PM

Spectacular! I'd like to request a few pictures of the interior.

Thanks,

Posted by: carr914 Mar 25 2007, 06:40 PM

Hi Steve, I'm still waiting for my written invitation to view the car in person. And I thought that Elans were the Lotus kits? Call me this week (I'll be in my car most of tomorrow, plenty of time to talk) I need to talk to you about my 6.

T.C.

Posted by: jim912928 Mar 25 2007, 06:55 PM

The Europa JPS is a really cool car. The Europa was originally designed as a race car and then "productionized" to meet european racing rules (I believe around 200 had to be "road worthy". I had a 71 with the Renault engine and taller rear sails...I sure liked the engine/lowered sails they introduced in 72. The early Europa's were pretty rudimentary and got more refined as they matured. Mine you actually had to gas up twice...it had one filler cap on each side of the car. Several parts were compatible with the Triumph Spitfire and GT6 (side lights etc.). I finally got rid of mine (this is about 25 years ago) as my new bride (still married to the same women)...was nervous being in it because it was so low to the ground (bought the Europa after selling a TR-GT6).

Your 914-6 is gorgeous!

Posted by: smg914 Mar 25 2007, 07:24 PM

Yeah Gerhard told me what it meant. But it was good enough for Erich Strenger so thats good enough for me! LOL

Posted by: smg914 Mar 25 2007, 07:27 PM

I completely removed the interior to clean and to reseal the rear window. I'm also getting the door panels redone. After I put the interior back in, I will take some pictures. When I bought the car it had period correct Recaro sport seats installed. I'm not sure if I will keep them or not. They were installed by Erich Strenger but I still haven't decided if they are correct for the car.

Posted by: smg914 Mar 25 2007, 07:30 PM

I should be home most of Monday but I hope to take the car to Mark Rafferty on Tuesday to weld up the holes in the rear panel. Then to the paint guy on Wednesday (to paint the rear panel).

Posted by: URY914 Mar 25 2007, 08:56 PM

One small correction. Mario did not win in '73, he won in '78.





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Posted by: smg914 Mar 25 2007, 09:57 PM

Oh thats right........But Lotus did win the constructors championship in 1973 (and in 1972).

Seeing what formula 1 has become today, its hard to fatham that Lotus won so many world championships.


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Posted by: smg914 Mar 13 2010, 04:20 PM

March 13th is a very special day for me. The Strenger GT arrived at my house 3 years ago today. A day I will never forget as long as I live.




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Posted by: type47 Mar 13 2010, 04:27 PM

Posted by: smg914 Mar 13 2010, 04:29 PM

Posted by: markb Mar 13 2010, 05:06 PM

Posted by: Thomas J Bliznik Mar 13 2010, 07:37 PM

Steve.

Happy 3-year Anniversary

Tom

Posted by: sixnotfour Mar 13 2010, 11:52 PM

Nice , I couldnt believe the for sale add, congrats on the B-day.

Where is your pic with a gal on the front fender ?

Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 13 2010, 11:59 PM

Nice Rides! I am a bit green with envy.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Mar 14 2010, 07:40 AM

Very nice cars; I especially love the M471 6. You have great taste in cars.

When I had my 2nd 914-6 my neighbor had the same Lotus as your car. I believe he still has it in his garage, but I moved about 5 miles away. Johnny Player Special. He took me for a ride and it was nice. I still like the sixes better though.

Happy birthday!

Posted by: JmuRiz Jun 23 2010, 08:44 AM

I know I'm bringing up an old, but classic thread, but while reading the Excellence Article, I saw a reference to a stiffened bolt-in top, is there a way to have one of these for track days and a separate top to operate like a stocker? How was the top that came with it attached?

Thanks, I have two tops and could do a setup like that.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 23 2010, 09:29 AM

OMG who could be a bigger 914 weenie than to never forget the day that their M-471 was delivered? (LOL)

Posted by: carr914 Jun 23 2010, 10:39 AM

Here are 2 Pictures of the X-brace that came out of Steve's car. I have been trying to track it down for a few years to put it in my car ( since I have a few other tidbits from the StrengerGT). If I cant get it I will make my own.

T.C.





Here is how the X-brace top is attached in the Brumos GT

Posted by: detoxcowboy Jun 23 2010, 10:45 AM

I had the same 10 bleeping holes in the rear of my '74!! I was make up your friggn mind when drilling holes your car. Glad to see there is more than 1 idiot out there..

Posted by: windforfun Jun 23 2010, 11:10 AM

Congrats on the new car. It's a beauty!!! As far as the roof goes, I've heard that they're not all interchangable form year to year. FYI.

Posted by: JmuRiz Jun 23 2010, 03:19 PM

Cool pictures, very interesting stuff. I think it'd be cool if someone did find it and made a copy for us DE racers that also like to drive with the top-off from time-to-time.

Posted by: smg914 Jun 23 2010, 04:01 PM

Uh Oh, I've been exposed. Now that everyone knows about my big weenie, I may as well give you the top 4 unforgetable days of my life:

The day my M471 was delivered.
The first time I saw an M471.
The first time I drove an M471.
The day I met my wife, March 4, '71.



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Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 23 2010, 04:09 PM

those dates are upside down. Janie is the prize.

Posted by: carr914 Jun 23 2010, 05:56 PM

Dream On Dude

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 24 2010, 08:29 AM

WOW! Now I KNEW that you and Steve were close T.C. but......

Seriously I think that my fondest 914 delivery was when serial number 9142430258 showed up at the Savannah port and the people thought that I was crazy. I purchased it from Michael of Mittelmotors and he shipped it here for me. Two from the last six ever made. By that time I already had the 916, the 71 914-6 sportomatic, blue m 471, the so called last six 9142430240, the green 5600 mile six, the white and orange special edition, the motortrend car, and several very very low mile four cylinders.
The reason this one was so exciting to get was because it was a total mess needing complete restoration but such a significant car that it had to be saved!

Posted by: Gustl Jun 24 2010, 10:30 AM

George, what exactly makes this one so significant?
I even don't know this VIN ...

Gustl

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 24 2010, 02:24 PM

Just the fact that it is so close to the very end serial number 9142430260, that is all. Just a stock 914-6, yellow. 72 models are just so rare that it is neat to have one let alone two like I have (cannot count the 916, although it is a 72 it was made from a 71 body!!!!!)

Posted by: SirAndy Jun 24 2010, 02:30 PM

So you have:

9142430240
9142430257
9142430258

Correct?
Andy

Posted by: casey944 Jun 24 2010, 02:46 PM

Great read, thanks for bringing it up!

Posted by: casey944 Jun 24 2010, 03:09 PM

Just read the article and realized that Bob Chapman wrote it. He wrote an article about a car that my company built. Great guy and great read!

Posted by: Gustl Jun 24 2010, 10:20 PM

oh ... welll ... I see

have got pics ??

Posted by: Gustl Aug 4 2010, 10:17 PM

George, now I'm confused ...

you told us that you bought this stock yellow 914-6 with VIN 914.2.43.0258, correct?

well ... currently there is a white wide body 914-6 with exactly this VIN for sale in Germany




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Posted by: SirAndy Aug 4 2010, 10:26 PM

Hmmmm, font and shape of the star is consistent with other '72 /6 cars ...

Earlier /6 cars had a different font and the preceding star had a different shape.

Looks like that car was originally signal orange ...
Andy

Posted by: BigD9146gt Aug 5 2010, 08:34 AM

... and the plot thickens. (Cue dramatic music) DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Aug 9 2010, 10:49 AM

no mine is 257 stock canary yellow.

Posted by: Gustl Aug 9 2010, 12:06 PM

thanks for clarification !!