Flood damaged 914, Ouch Options

[GeorgeRud]

A friend of mine just moved down to Baton Rouge, LA last month, and had his cars in storage as they were having a large garage built at their new home. Of course, they were involved in the flooding up to the top of the windows. Besides his 914 2.0 and his Porsche tractor, he last a Jaguar XKE, Jensen Healy, 67 Ford Mustand, and a 35 Ford Coupe. At least their home is on higher ground and didn't flood so they are OK!

Has anyone ever had any luck resurrecting a flood car? Since his was nice and straight, I wondered if it could be stripped to a bare chassis then rebuilt? Same ? about he Porsche tractor.

[loux951]

I live here in Louisiana and I feel for your friend. I was lucky and my car was at my house in New Orleans during this event. New Orleans is dry (never high and dry) for this disaster. I drive through Baton Rouge quite often on the way to my lease property in Lafayette.

My boss had his 1970 Mustang completely flooded (over the roof) in Hurricane Katrina. He stripped the car to bare metal and restored it. He sold it a few years later for $40K. Here is the kicker...he let the insurance company total the car, then he bought it back with a salvaged title. If the car would have had a clean title, he could have gotten about $60K for it. He recommends that unless the car is rare (914-6, LE, etc) then take the money and get another car with a clean title to restore.

I will PM you with my phone number to give your friend. I just finished restoring my car last year. If he needs parts, I have plenty. If he decides to part out the flood one, I am interested.