1974 914-4 2.0, Tackling the rust Options

[Nemisus]

Now that I have the 2.0 running adequately its time to tackle the rust issues...

When I first looked this car over I was so excited about getting it I didn't look as thoroughly as I should have. The cost of excitement I suppose...

Although what I am about to show you isn't nearly as bad as some of the amazing restorations I have seen on this site, I still feel it is necessary to show you what I am dealing with! My hopes are that I can be pointed in the right direction.

I am partially embarrassed to even show these pictures as the rot is minimal by comparison to what I've seen some members work with...

here goes nothing...

all the interior removed:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590830.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590831.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590831.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590831.4.jpg)

seat mount is completely gone:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590832.5.jpg)

Just behind the passenger seat... directly over the jack mount area:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590832.6.jpg)

Same area as from the previous pictures only look from under:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432591623.1.jpg)

nearly completely separated from the top of the tunnel:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i98.photobucket.com-13631-1432590832.7.jpg)


Nemi

[Geezer914]

You live in California, the home of nearly rust free cars. I live in New Jersey, the home of rust buckets. I was in your shoes, 40 years ago, when I bought my first Triumph TR4. I was all gung ho and bought the first one I looked at. After the excitement wore off and looking it over as you are doing, I came to the conclusion I had a parts car. I later found a near perfect TR4 and sold the first car for parts. Lesson learned. I purchased a 75 914 three years ago from an owner in York, PA. The reason I purchased it was that it had a California title. The floor pans, trunks and longs were solid. There was some rust along the rear firewall due to the rear window leaking and the hell hole had some issues. The car sat on jack stands for a year as I pulled the motor, fixed the rust issues, rebuilt the suspension, brakes, fuel injection, and a whole lot more. Again, it was a California car, and still needed a lot of work.

My point is keep this car for parts and look for a solid tub in CA. They come up quite often, just be patient. This will give you a solid and SAFE car to start your project. Better yet, sell this car and take the money you would have spent and get a nice solid driver that you can enjoy while restoring it. Nothing is more disappointing than spending lots of time and money, becoming frustrated, and loose interest with your project. Look in the classifieds, there are many unfinished projects for sale that had good intentions. Trust an old mans judgment, been there, done that. Like Kenny Rodgers says, "you have to know when to hold'm, know when to fold'm, know when to walk away and when to run".

Looking at your car it looks like it came from New Jersey. Unless you are a very experienced welder and tin bender with a shop and all the equipment, I would run. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)