1970 914 Restoration Candidate, Advice Needed for Porsche Newbie Options

[aggiezig]

Hello 914 World! This is my first post on the forum. I'm a long time aircooled VW enthusiast & have had several projects in the past (beetles, sand rail, baja, thing).

Our current project is a 1956 Oval Beetle:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827183.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827183.2.jpg)

Anyways, reason for my post is that I'm looking for a 914 project. I mean, I want one bad. These cars are so stinkin' cool and the perfect mix of VW / Porsche. Interestingly, I've noticed the appreciation in value of these things over the last 5 years - so getting hands on one cheap has become a little more difficult.

I found a gentlemen who has a 1970 914 listed on craigslist, and we've been talking back and forth for a few days. The car is in rough shape, but does run & drive. He said it has the original engine, owners manual, keys, etc. He also has all of the missing components that are off the car now, plus some extras. It also comes with a homemade trailer supposedly built for the car. Oh, and new tires.

I know that it will need rust repairs, a completely prep / paint job, interior restoration, and at least a clean/tune up. Here are some pics:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827183.3.jpg)

(The trunk lid is just wrapped, not painted in this pic)
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Should be a 1.7? PO converted to Weber Carb
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827184.7.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827184.8.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827184.9.jpg)

I was told the floors have several pin holes
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827184.10.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827184.11.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.12.jpg)

The back 8" of the trunk floor pan have been cut out:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.13.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.14.jpg)

Battery box is gone / Hell hole doesn't look too great:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.15.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.16.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.17.jpg)

From the bottom:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827185.18.jpg)

VIN Plate
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i120.photobucket.com-19557-1452827186.19.jpg)

So... time to make two lists.

The good list:

• Running / Driving
• Body panels seem in tact / rust free
• New tires / OG Rims
• All electrics supposedly work
• (Free) Trailer Included
• PO Apparently sprayed the entire inside w/ rust primer
• Clean title!
• All missing pieces + extras included

And, the bad:

• Battery tray / Hell hole is rotten
• Rocker covers have not been off
• ^Potential hidden rust is likely in rockers / longs
• Will need floor pans
• Fuel injection parts are long gone

He's asking $2,500, and said he was firm on that as he is selling for a friend. Honestly, I'd like to pay $2,000. At that number, I could at least resell all of the good bits off to recover my investment if their is some hidden destruction.

I'd like to check out the car in person - but it is a solid 5 hours away. So, if I'm going - I want to be sure I'm going to try to make a deal.

So, what are everyone's thoughts? (Thanks in advance for your feedback!)

[KELTY360]

To me, it's a car that 5 years from now would be a good candidate for resto. If you've got the skills, space and tools I'd say go for it. If the trailer is viable, your logic is reasonable.

The thing is, once you make the 5 hour drive, you have to be willing to walk away if you have any sense you're in too deep. Take along a cordless drill so you can take out the rivets and see under the rocker panels.

There is a wealth of knowledge on this site that can help if you take on the project. There are also build threads here that began with lots worse than this one. Good luck.

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[aggiezig]

Take along a cordless drill so you can take out the rivets and see under the rocker panels.

So, pardon the newbie question - but is there any good resource I can use to read up on how to remove the rocker panel covers? I've never done that before so don't even know how they're attached / where to look to start removing.

[ndfrigi]

Take along a cordless drill so you can take out the rivets and see under the rocker panels.

So, pardon the newbie question - but is there any good resource I can use to read up on how to remove the rocker panel covers? I've never done that before so don't even know how they're attached / where to look to start removing.

3 lugbolts underneath the rocker panel, two small lugnut inside front fender and rear fender and several plastic rivets on top that you can cut the head assuming still original installation. Usually the 3 bolts underneath is hars to loosen. What I did on two cars is to just cut them with electric cutter.