1973 914 was/is my first car, Beginning of a restoration journey Options

[doug_b_928]

Hi Guys,

I'm a new member. I bought my 914, which was/is my first car, in 1985. I drove it as a summer car from 85-95. I would bet that I only put 10,000 kms on it over that time, if that. Then my education and career got in the way and it hasn't been licensed since. It was driven to the spot where it now sits (in a shed on the farm where I grew up, a couple of hours away from me) in 2001 after having not been registered since 1995. I've finally reached a point in my life where I can take time to work on cars. I started doing my own maintenance on my 928 a couple of years ago and love working on it (as long as I don't screw anything up). So, I'm just beginning but am eager to learn (yes, I can already see these coming : (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) )

I'll attach pics of the car in its current condition below. I apologize in advance for the scores of questions that I will be asking in the coming months and years. I've been reading through a number of topics and see how helpful folks are on this forum, which helps to take much of the anxiety out of taking on this project.

This is going to be a long-term project as I'm still busy with work etc. My goal for this summer is to try to get it running and get everything working. Then over the winter develop a specific plan for restoration and give'er next summer. I spoke to the previous owner recently. He has owned many 914s and couldn't recall any specifics of this car. At the time I bought it I seem to recall someone saying that it came as a 1.7 but they had put a 1.8 into it. But the PO didn't recall changing the engine. So, question #1, how can I tell if it is a numbers matching car?

The car was mices free until last winter, and then last summer when I looked at it I found a couple of nests (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) . So, my first order of business in the spring will be to don a P100 respirator and clean out the mouse remnants. I'll throw out the aftermarket carpet I had put in. I've seen on this forum somewhere that there are OE looking carpet kits available. I'm pleasantly surprised by the available of parts for these cars.

Problems with the car that I recall from when I last drove it:

1. when I would drive on a dusty gravel road dust would bellow in from under the dash (maybe rust holes in the longs and heater pipes?).
2. I think the car had been hit in the left rear corner. The left rear wheel always had a slight wobble to it. Maybe needs new wheel bearing? The trunk back corners never sat perfectly flat, and the rear left fender always had an odd bubble area (filler?) by the bumper. I had it repainted and the bubble was still there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ). Rear bumper is black, front chrome. All indications for trauma to the back.
3. At the very end of driving it, the speedo started to make a whining noise. I think the car has about 86,000 kms on it.
4. The brake pedal had lost some tension and so after applying, I would pull it back with my foot.
5. The shifter was always a little bit sloppy.
6. The windshield wipers were never very good; couldn't keep up with a strong rain (this may be normal?)
7. Every spring, after sitting all winter, something would seize in the clutch and it wouldn't work. The technique my Dad figured out was to put the car in reverse and start it up. After the car would move back a bit the clutch would come free and work fine??
8. The only thing I ever had to have done to the car was move the fuel pump to the front due to vapor lock. It never let me down after that.

Any thoughts and advice you have on starting the process of fixing her up will be most welcome. Here she is:

[doug_b_928]

Thanks, guys, for the welcome. It is disheartening that you think it's that bad. The resto threads I've looked at suggested to me that this one was in comparatively good shape/all there. But, I have no experience and can imagine that when it's disassembled it will be another story. What are the big costs associated with this? I'm planning to do all of the metal work myself. Yes, I am a novice welder. Just bought a MIG before Christmas and have been having fun practicing. My first project has been to refurbish my 33 year old 928 muffler; learned lots about burn through etc.

My attachment is sentimental, but budget constraints put a limit to how far sentimentality can take me.