Is there a "Teener's Anonymous" chapter near me?, I am buying 3 914 project cars! Options

[jcd914]

Hi, my name is Jim and I am a....

I probably need a recovery group or professional help.

I talked with a guy yesterday that has 3 914's plus spare parts he wants to sell as a package deal. I have no room and no time but feel compelled to go look because this could be "the deal of a lifetime" (yea right). I have bought a few "deals of the lifetime" but never actually got one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I only know what he told me about these.
914 #1 72 1.7L His original project, Disassembled for restoration 10 + years ago, stored inside, minor rust in hell hole and battery tray. No body damage, has all the parts plus many extras.
914 #2 73 2.0L Bought as parts car for #1. Complete car w/ engine out and disassembled. Mostly straight, just minor dings but needs paint. Less rust than #1. Bought with engine out so function of all else unknown.
914 #3 70 1.7L He wanted to drive a 914 and project #1 was not getting anywhere fast so he bought a runner. Fixed brakes, steering, replaced carpeting, tires and some other stuff that has slipped from my brain (hey I talked to he yesterday). Was a driver until recently when there was a load bang from the tranny and he lost 1st & reverse. He says it smoke a little on start up but it's big issue is rust. Words to the effect of "Kind of ugly underneath".

Now I have not seen these cars so I am only going on what I was told but it seems like there is some potential here.

914 #3 Tranny could be fixed or swapped with tranny from #1 (both tail shifters). Would be a rusty runner, could be sold to recoup some of investment. Sound like the cars is decent except the rust. How much rust does it really have? What could it be sold for?

914 #1 could be sold as a restoration project to someone. If the body is as straight and has as little rust as described it could be a nice car to restore or reassemble. How far down has it been stripped?

914 #2 These is the car I am most interested in. Engine for #2 could be fixed or replaced (I have a running engine), should/could be a runner, a better starting point for me compared to my current car. Swap my suspension (5 bolt) on to this one and sell mine as a parts car.

I am going try to go look at these over the weekend and I will share what I learn about them with the world.

Anyone in N CA want to store a 914 or two?
Anyone on N CA looking for a resto project?

Is there a treatment for this sickness I have?

Thanks for listening.

Jim

[jcd914]

How far will an addict go for a fix?

Planned to go up to Grass Valley this Saturday and pick 2 of the 3 914s I bought and some of the parts. A friend of mine, Andy, was going to borrow a car trailer and I was going to borrow a car trailer, make one run get 2 cars and fill the trucks with parts. Well of course it can't be that easy! Trailer I was going to borrow was promised to someone else (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
Talk to Andy and the trailer he was going to borrow was not available ether (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Rob offered to let me use his trailer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I owe you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) or (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
I pulled the tow bar brackets off my 71 and dug the tow bar out of storage.

Plan B: Flat tow the 70 914 and put the 73 on the trailer.
Saturday morning early to avoid the heat (I don't do early well). We are about 2 hours behind schedule when we hit the highway north to Grass Valley. Andy is towing Robs trailer with his 1 ton dually Chevy and his son in law Andy is with him, yes it is Andy and Andy in the truck.
About 10 minutes on the highway and I see Andy's truck pull off onto the shoulder. Of course I see this is in my rear view mirror. Ring ring, Jim my truck just threw an belt!. I get off and go back around seemed like 10 miles between exits.
Smog pump is failing on his truck and caused the belt loss. Belt is worst for the wear but intact, after we get the tensioner un jammed we get the old belt back on the hot engine in the heat along side the freeway. Starts up and stays on but you can see the smog pump pulley wobbling. We head back and stop at an auto parts store a few block from his house, belt is still on so far. No smog pump in stock but Loomis store has one, we were almost in Loomis when we turned back. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Plan C: I head on up with the tow bar and start loading while my friend goes home and gets van to chase parts and he'll call me when he is back on his way.
I set off, this is around 11:30 and it is hot out!
Easy drive up, start loading my Explore with boxes and plastic tubs of parts, wheels, even a Bosch FI Tester. Crawl under 914 to attach tow bar brackets. A few minor issues here, car is very low, front apron is in the way and bumper covers access to apron screws, brackets (custom made for my 71) don't quit fit exactly the same and the BLACK asphalt I am laying on is HOT. I get the brackets on the tow bar attached, Explorer is about full, 914 trunks are full and still no phone call from Andy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I call Andy and he has chased down 3 different smog pumps at 3 different parts store in three different directions and they are all the wrong pump!
I throw a couple of tubs of part in the passenger seat of the 914, borrow some magnetic based towing lights from the seller (mine are in Andy's truck) and head back down the hill. When I get to Andy's house he is off chasing yet another smog pump!

I got home around 4pm on Saturday having only retrieved 1 914 and not even half the parts. Andy was not available on Sunday although he did get his truck fixed (5th pump was correct). I head back up and my wife goes with me (she offered) and I picked up the 73 and a couple more boxes of parts. So now the 70 is sitting at Andy's house and the 73 is in my side yard and I have several boxes of parts to go thru. There are some gems in this batch of parts, a NOS heater control assemble, a set of FG GT flares, new (in box from WorldPac) set of KYB rear shocks and a Bosch FI tester. I still have to go get the 72 plus parts including 2 - 1.7L engines, 3 transaxles.

All Worth It! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Jim