I'm actually gonna have a pretty car., First time in 30 years Options

[aircooledboy]

I have owned a 914 for the most part of the last 30 years. 5 drivers and 3 parts cars later, for the first time EVER, I will soon have a 914 that runs great AND looks great. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

The PO did a great job of collecting and installing all the right and best parts. I've had to "adjust" the execution from time to time, but I still believe there are few conversions out there that can hang with this one mechanically. I have really enjoyed the last 3 years with her, but between work and family, other than driving it, unless there is a problem that demands attention, I've had very little time to love on the old girl. The paint has always been a generous 3/10, and I certainly can't justify the cost of making it right with the oldest starting college in the fall, and her sister 2 years behind her. So, I try to keep it clean, and don't let anybody get closer than 30 feet to the car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Recently, I had a client who was so grateful for some things I was able to accomplish for him, that he told me he wanted to paint my car. This guy is a world renowned restorer of British vintage cars. Just having him agree to work on my car would be amazing, and that's what I thought he was offering. I politely thanked him, but explained the whole $, kids in college blah blah blah. . ., and he said, "no, you don't understand. I'm doing it to show my appreciation. Free." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

I still can't wrap my brain around this, but this spring I will for the first time in my life have a 914 that looks as good as she runs. I'll try to keep up the progress here.

[aircooledboy]

Steve has spent some time working my hood, but we may have to fall back on that.

It has never really lined up very well curve-wise with the front fenders. In this picture you can see the oversized cutouts in the the front bumper area. PO lived in the south, and between the AC he installed and the humid weather, cooling was a apparently problem, so he tried to solve the problem with bigger cutouts both in the bumper and the inner wheel wells. Unfortunately, he went too far. You can just barely see in this picture that the center "strut" PO tried to leave to stabilize the bumper area was too narrow, and it just cracked straight across near the top. The result is that the lower part of the hood latch moves around, and doesn't hold the damn hood down, so it lines up and looks like poo.



The hood has also separated from the frame, and the standard hillbilly repair of JB Weld done in the past did not hold (IMG:style_emoticons/default/new_shocked.gif) , which has now resulted in the frame cracking at the inner corners. I need to look at my parts cars to see if I have a better hood, or else I will be in the market for a good one.

[JRust]

The hood has also separated from the frame, and the standard hillbilly repair of JB Weld done in the past did not hold (IMG:style_emoticons/default/new_shocked.gif) , which has now resulted in the frame cracking at the inner corners. I need to look at my parts cars to see if I have a better hood, or else I will be in the market for a good one.

I've got a few good front hoods if you need one. It's yours if you pick it up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)