Rust cover up?, Car looks good, but how can I tell if rust is just covered Options

[Jon199]

I am considering purchasing this project 914. I am concerned that rust may have been covered up by a rhino lining or similar spray application at the hell hole. Does anyone have any knowledge of the car or any advice as to what exactly what I should be looking for when I go inspect the car in person?
Thanks,
Jon [attachmentid=682
144]

[Jon199]

Superhawk,
Thank you for the advice and the education! Sadly, I think this project may not be for me. I am in love with the idea of a 914 with some real power ( 250 hp range). But, I don’t need to bring home a box of problems. My wife is already frustrated with the projects I currently have

[Superhawk996]

Superhawk,
Thank you for the advice and the education! Sadly, I think this project may not be for me. I am in love with the idea of a 914 with some real power ( 250 hp range). But, I don’t need to bring home a box of problems. My wife is already frustrated with the projects I currently have

If you have never had a 914 before allow me to lobby you:
1) a stock 914 with a 2.0L and 80-100HP is a great car. Drive one stock for a while and then decide if you need more power. You can always put a flat six in these cars later with ease and run HP up to crazy numbers if your wallet permits.

2) if you want raw power you're looking in the wrong places. 914's (or early 911's) were never meant to be straight line power cars. They are AWESOME steering and handling cars. The drivetrain is balanced to the needs of the car and is biased toward nimble, agile handling. If you just want to go fast in a straight line - go buy a Drag car. Likewise, if you want easy power just save your $$. You can go buy lots of 400 HP cars off the showroom floor WITH A Warranty. Amazing times we live in.

3) Lot's of people will tell you that you need more power or crazy stuff like Boxter's are secretary cars, or Porsche 914's are just VW's. Ignore them. They have no idea how to drive in anything other than a straight line. Most people get spooked pulling 0.5 G's. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) A 914 will easily surpass that on All Season tires. Put summer tires on it - Watch out 0.9G here I come.

4) I've owned VW's with 40 HP and I've owned cars with 400 HP. Even in the 100 HP cars, when the traffic light turns green I'm 100 yards ahead of traffic. Granted we aren't racing but I'll tell you that most people aren't using the HP they have. And yes that extends to the majority of the modern sports car crowd too.

Don't be afraid to start with a good solid 1.7L car. Learn to work on it, learn to drive, and upgrade as your talent and $$$ permit.

914's are awesome cars and I say that as someone that has access to a much wider slice of the automotive pie than any one man should be allowed. I've driven some of the best the world has to offer and I still came back to 914's after nearly 20 years away from them.