SOT - I wish somebody would do this for our 914s, New 60's Mustang Body Shells Options

[Tom_T]

Like the title says...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111220/C...gn=awdailydrive

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[Rob-O]

In Andy's case, besides the 2000 miles, you're also missing probably the most important factor, marketing. In your case Andy it's just you with limited marketing and it was 'one' shell that got cut up.

Time also comes into play. A company builds marketing momentum over time as their product and name is in field. One shell is a blip and then gone.

Much of marketing and selling has to do with ownership, and in our U.S. society, how quickly you can get your hands on something and own it. Take for example cars. When my parents bought cars, they had to wait weeks, even months to get their car. Now? You can decide you want a car tomorrow morning and be driving it later that day.

Now for Scotty and/or McMark I have a suggestion, and I'm not being a smart ass with this. You may be able to make a profit on a 914 shell, I don't know how much work you need to put into each one and how much you could sell it for. But for many 914 owners, the shell is the major stumbling block. Take a risk, buy a few shells and rebuild them to perfection. Get them in primer. Maybe one narrow and one flared in your inventory. When that one sells, get another into inventory as quickly as you can. Soon you'll be known as the guy that always has a 'perfect' shell to sell that you can get to your customer immediately. Think about it, you guys are already masters at rebuilding the 914 body, so you'd know what to look for when purchasing bodies that you want to rebuild. You'd know what's going to be tough and affect your margin and which ones will be able to give you a larger margin.

I know that's a tall order because of the other work that keeps you both in business, and would be a fairly large risk. But you hear what people want right here in this post, and you both could deliver.

It's all about marketing and timing...

[mepstein]

In Andy's case, besides the 2000 miles, you're also missing probably the most important factor, marketing. In your case Andy it's just you with limited marketing and it was 'one' shell that got cut up.

Time also comes into play. A company builds marketing momentum over time as their product and name is in field. One shell is a blip and then gone.

Much of marketing and selling has to do with ownership, and in our U.S. society, how quickly you can get your hands on something and own it. Take for example cars. When my parents bought cars, they had to wait weeks, even months to get their car. Now? You can decide you want a car tomorrow morning and be driving it later that day.

Now for Scotty and/or McMark I have a suggestion, and I'm not being a smart ass with this. You may be able to make a profit on a 914 shell, I don't know how much work you need to put into each one and how much you could sell it for. But for many 914 owners, the shell is the major stumbling block. Take a risk, buy a few shells and rebuild them to perfection. Get them in primer. Maybe one narrow and one flared in your inventory. When that one sells, get another into inventory as quickly as you can. Soon you'll be known as the guy that always has a 'perfect' shell to sell that you can get to your customer immediately. Think about it, you guys are already masters at rebuilding the 914 body, so you'd know what to look for when purchasing bodies that you want to rebuild. You'd know what's going to be tough and affect your margin and which ones will be able to give you a larger margin.

I know that's a tall order because of the other work that keeps you both in business, and would be a fairly large risk. But you hear what people want right here in this post, and you both could deliver.

It's all about marketing and timing...

I think it would be a huge risk to buy, ship, repair, sell and then pay taxes. Scott lists a price of $8K for a rust free roller in primer and you will see a bunch of posts about how someone could get the same thing for 2K. It would be a great service and god knows it would have cost me less money to start with a better car but this conversation has been going on for years and history shows that it's not what the marketplace wants. The first poster is a good example. He is in CA and has plans to dump $20K+++ into rust repair on his restoration rather than buy a complete concours car for the same price.

[Tom_T]

.... The first poster is a good example. He is in CA and has plans to dump $20K+++ into rust repair on his restoration rather than buy a complete concours car for the same price.

Actually Mark -

As that guy in the first post, I'd much prefer to NOT spend $20k+++ nor anything close, and the last price I saw for a 914 body-in-white was $8k - half the $15k everyone is presuming here based on the Mustang body.

At $8k vs. $15-20k in body & paint for either, not a hard choice if the body were available at the price I stated in a prior post. I'd like to find some way to do the repairs & resto of mine for less than that $20k. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

If I do spend to restore my 73 2L, then I can justify it somewhat in my own warped mind, as deferred maintenance back to 1985 when she went in my garage 26 years ago.....just divide the total cost by 26 or whatever! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

As I said in an earlier post - I would also probably jump ship on my 73 914-2.0's resto, IF I found a CW pristine 73 or 74 914-2.0 with the Appearance & Performance Group in Marathon or Alaska Metallic Blue with Tan interior concours, and a DPD original dealer AC would be nice too in SoCal - in pristine condition. I could also possibly be led astray by a couple of other colors coupled with tan interior & the above......

BUT, I've not seen anything close to pristine concours car in any color I like, and I've looked at several since 09! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Since I really only want to get ONE 914-2.0 restored & on the road, the cost for whichever way I go, is probably going to be less or the same as some of the serial offenders out there are pouring into multiple 914s, conversions to 6, 8, subie-doo, etc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

For me - it's either find a 73-74 914-2.0 in the colors & options that I would've bought if I could've afforded a new one back in 1972-73 (which I couldn't working my way through college); or else restore the faithful old gal that was my one & only car for a decade Dec. 75 to May 85, as MY 914 has fond memories for me.

[billh1963]

.... The first poster is a good example. He is in CA and has plans to dump $20K+++ into rust repair on his restoration rather than buy a complete concours car for the same price.

Actually Mark -

As that guy in the first post, I'd much prefer to NOT spend $20k+++ nor anything close, and the last price I saw for a 914 body-in-white was $8k - half the $15k everyone is presuming here based on the Mustang body.

At $8k vs. $15-20k in body & paint for either, not a hard choice if the body were available at the price I stated in a prior post. I'd like to find some way to do the repairs & resto of mine for less than that $20k. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

If I do spend to restore my 73 2L, then I can justify it somewhat in my own warped mind, as deferred maintenance back to 1985 when she went in my garage 26 years ago.....just divide the total cost by 26 or whatever! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

As I said in an earlier post - I would also probably jump ship on my 73 914-2.0's resto, IF I found a CW pristine 73 or 74 914-2.0 with the Appearance & Performance Group in Marathon or Alaska Metallic Blue with Tan interior concours, and a DPD original dealer AC would be nice too in SoCal - in pristine condition. I could also possibly be led astray by a couple of other colors coupled with tan interior & the above......

BUT, I've not seen anything close to pristine concours car in any color I like, and I've looked at several since 09! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Since I really only want to get ONE 914-2.0 restored & on the road, the cost for whichever way I go, is probably going to be less or the same as some of the serial offenders out there are pouring into multiple 914s, conversions to 6, 8, subie-doo, etc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

For me - it's either find a 73-74 914-2.0 in the colors & options that I would've bought if I could've afforded a new one back in 1972-73 (which I couldn't working my way through college); or else restore the faithful old gal that was my one & only car for a decade Dec. 75 to May 85, as MY 914 has fond memories for me.

I agree with your thoughts on this. AT $20K it's not going to happen with me. However, sub $10K and you have my attention. Since it looks like quality rust repair can run several thousand dollars (and you are only fixing it in one area and waiting for it to to crop up in other areas), $10K or less for a new body in white with higher quality galvanized metal, design changes to adress known issues, etc. would be very appealing. If you spend the money once there is no reason the car could not last for decades to come.