Project car Options

[srreality]

I've run across a Porsche 914, 1972 vintage I think, with 1.7-liter engine. There's actually two cars involved, the primary and a parts car. The primary's body work and paint work, including rust elimination are finished. The car is partly disassembled, with the engine/transaxle out. The engine has low compression on one cylinder, so a rebuild is called for, either partial or complete. I believe I can handle reassembly, swapping parts, installing new ones where necessary, etc. but can't do an engine rebuild. I propose to stick with fuel injection (repaired as necessary) and a straight-forward rebuild, reusing what makes sense and renewing otherwise. I'm trying to "ball park" what that rebuild might cost.

This will be a winter time project for me, as I have the space, the time (I'm retired) and maybe the inclination to finish what someone else started.

I saw this forum and decided to ask a more knowledgeable community for thoughts, advice and warnings..............

[srreality]

Spent several hours poking around the 914 project car . It is a '73 vintage, body, paint, etc. are very nice. The interior is actually in pretty good shape, except for a tear in the driver's back cushion - - - the dash, door panels, back bolsters, etc. are very salvageable. The dash isn't cracked and everything is there. The paint job included the door jambs, inside the front and rear "trunks" and underneath the lids. Targa top was painted, too. Door windows work and look good. The car is greatly disassambled, but all the trim, etc. is there and except for a few dings is straight and very reusable. The car was repainted white, black Targa top and brown interior. Although it ran rough "when parked", it shifted fine, stopped, turned and all the electrics worked. It's been kept indoors out of the sun and weather for 8 years. The original owner skipped and didn't pay his bill, so I'd have to get a bonded title, although I've located that owner and will see how cooperative he might be. Lots of manual labor to be done, perhaps without a ton of expensive parts..........then there's the engine rebuild. I spend some time with Vee W Limited last week and came away satisfied that the cost is manageable. The parts car is virtually completely intact, but has been sitting out in the weather, so lots of "soft" things ruined - - - good body parts and "metal" things though that could be sold off, I suppose.
I"m going to do some more research on bonded titles (I've secured them before, but years ago, so there's more hoops to jump through today!). So far, it looks "do-able" to me. Stay tuned!