Move over Smoggy and make room for Foggy, Adopted jeffdon’s 72 Options

[markhoward]

I’ve been meaning to post about the latest 914 to hit my stable but it did not feel right until now. Unfortunately, we lost our friend Jeff Donnelly (jeffdon) last month at age 59. He will be missed by many. Jeff was a good friend and is the one that got me into the 914 flow. We would hang at the pub and talk about them and other things automotive. After a while, I ended up purchasing his 76 project now known as Smoggy. Unfortunate circumstances has also made me the caretaker of Jeff’s 72, a car he loved. The 72 fell in disrepair a few years back after a string of engine failures. Jeff intended to get it back on the road but life’s turns prevented that from happening. Jeff’s family and friends thought I was the natural choice to bring the car back so a deal was worked out and a new project was in my hands. Working on Smoggy and other 914’s has made me appreciate how each car can have different attributes and drawbacks. The 72, which today got named Foggy, is pretty much rust minimal as far as 914’s go. Really.. I will show some pics soon. Jeff said he did not have to deal with the hellhole, etc and wouldn’t you know it, that is what I confirmed today. There are some bumps and bruises to deal with which I will elaborate on later as I take on those tasks. My plan is to freshen the car mechanically by installing a d-jet 2056 picked up a while back for Smoggy. There will be lots of parts raiding from the Smoggy stash as well as some new purchases. So far, I have gutted the interior and have done extensive cleaning of the underside to assess condition and because I can’t help myself. It had early struts with floppy pinch bolt ball joints so I decided to rip apart the front suspension and use the front struts from smoggy. Sent all that off to the powdercoater while the calipers went to PMB for some Eric magic. A 914 rubber order was placed for all kinds of freshening bits. I plan to put new carpet and maybe do up the seats if they are not passable. Keeping the tailshift for now to control scope creep. I hope to have Foggy back on the road in the next couple months and to take to WCR and maybe Red Rocks Classic. So anyway, that’s what has been going on in San Rafael. We miss you Jeff.

[tygaboy]

So sorry about Jeff but I know he's smiling down, knowing Foggy is in proper hands. We know you'll do a great job! Looking forward to helping in any way I can.

[Cairo94507]

Mark- Jeff is sitting up there and smiling as you get his baby back on the road so others can look and smile as they remember the days when 914's were plentiful on the roads. May Jeff rest in peace.

[markhoward]

Some progress pics

[Krieger]

She's beautiful! Bittersweet though. RIP Jeff

[SirAndy]

Unfortunately, we lost our friend Jeff Donnelly (jeffdon) last month at age 59.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Retroracer]

thoughts.

I'm not religious so I don't do the prayers.

Post the progress and talk soon,

- Tony

[808 WRX]

Looking forward to see it back on the road! It looks like it will clean up nicely (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[jim_hoyland]

RIP Jeff. Always enjoyed our conversations.

[roundtwo]

Sorry to hear about you losing your close friend. Sounds like a cool guy. Keep sharing the spirit of Foggy's resurrection. Todd

[DRPHIL914]

I’ve been meaning to post about the latest 914 to hit my stable but it did not feel right until now. Unfortunately, we lost our friend Jeff Donnelly (jeffdon) last month at age 59. He will be missed by many. Jeff was a good friend and is the one that got me into the 914 flow. We would hang at the pub and talk about them and other things automotive. After a while, I ended up purchasing his 76 project now known as Smoggy. Unfortunate circumstances has also made me the caretaker of Jeff’s 72, a car he loved. The 72 fell in disrepair a few years back after a string of engine failures. Jeff intended to get it back on the road but life’s turns prevented that from happening. Jeff’s family and friends thought I was the natural choice to bring the car back so a deal was worked out and a new project was in my hands. Working on Smoggy and other 914’s has made me appreciate how each car can have different attributes and drawbacks. The 72, which today got named Foggy, is pretty much rust minimal as far as 914’s go. Really.. I will show some pics soon. Jeff said he did not have to deal with the hellhole, etc and wouldn’t you know it, that is what I confirmed today. There are some bumps and bruises to deal with which I will elaborate on later as I take on those tasks. My plan is to freshen the car mechanically by installing a d-jet 2056 picked up a while back for Smoggy. There will be lots of parts raiding from the Smoggy stash as well as some new purchases. So far, I have gutted the interior and have done extensive cleaning of the underside to assess condition and because I can’t help myself. It had early struts with floppy pinch bolt ball joints so I decided to rip apart the front suspension and use the front struts from smoggy. Sent all that off to the powdercoater while the calipers went to PMB for some Eric magic. A 914 rubber order was placed for all kinds of freshening bits. I plan to put new carpet and maybe do up the seats if they are not passable. Keeping the tailshift for now to control scope creep. I hope to have Foggy back on the road in the next couple months and to take to WCR and maybe Red Rocks Classic. So anyway, that’s what has been going on in San Rafael. We miss you Jeff.

Mark- Jeff is sitting up there and smiling as you get his baby back on the road so others can look and smile as they remember the days when 914's were plentiful on the roads. May Jeff rest in peace.

Unfortunately, we lost our friend Jeff Donnelly (jeffdon) last month at age 59.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

sorry to hear of jeff's passing, maybe Mark, or someone that knew him well could place a post in the thread dedicated to remembering those that have left us like jeff, in
honor and memory of him , maybe add a link to this thread and others ?
RIP Jeff, condolences to his family and friends, he was wayyy too young.
@markhoward
@SirAndy

[ValcoOscar]

On my, I didn't know Jeff but condolences to his family. Such a young guy.
His old car is in good hands with Mark.
Let me know if you need any parts.

Oscar

[markhoward]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Some progress today. Was only going to remove the floor tar around the perimeter so I could treat surface rust accumulation around the edges. One thing led to another and now we have bare floors. All solid metal found. Tomorrow I’m going to do an ospho treatment and prep for some rust preventative touch up. Also pulled the fuel tank to assess and to clean paint overspray. Gotta tidy things before reassembly. Things are looking good!

[markhoward]

It’s been a while since I updated but there has been some progress. Straightened a small area and welded up a crack in the frunk near the front a-arm mount. Looks like damage from being jacked up or possibly from it falling off the trailer when Jeff and his dad transported it from Oakdale to Oakland. I remember that story..

[markhoward]

Decided to redo the clutch tube repair. WIP..

[markhoward]

More cleaning on the floors and pedal area.

[markhoward]

Some PMB love..

[tygaboy]

Mark - your chassis is looking good! Nice job on that suspension area repair. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) Glad to see it wasn't more serious.
Target date to have it on the road?

[Cairo94507]

That is going to be one nice car Mark; love the PMB calipers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[markhoward]

Mark - your chassis is looking good! Nice job on that suspension area repair. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) Glad to see it wasn't more serious.
Target date to have it on the road?

Trying to pin me down on a date? I’m getting stressed! Hope it goes together soon as I don’t really want to drag it to the new house as a non runner. Bigger question is what to do with Smoggy long term. Looking forward to working on it this weekend with you!