Scottish Reincarnation...., The start of my final build thread.... mk iii, Documenting the final build on to my repaired and repainted shell... Options

[RickS]

Fascinating

[wysri9]

OK guys and gals

I live in Scotland about 20 miles West of Aberdeen, and have been hanging around this forum for years asking the odd question and throwing in the occasional comment. Oh and learning, learning, learning from all the wonderful contributions from the members. I could not have got to where I am without this forum for sure.

Anyway I recently saw the return of my painted body shell and its time to build her up. Exciting!

So the inspiration for my build came from three places, firstly the whole project started with a conversation on a Channel Ferry returning from the Le Mans 24 hrs in 2009 when I heard about the 914 project that had been started and now could not be finished. That led to a phone call, a visit and a deal which saw me transport several trailer loads of parts and cars in various stages of dismantling back to my place. Secondly I fell in love with the Marathon de la Route cars and their success, and finally at the Le Mans classic I saw an MG Midget which had been refreshed in a way that was not original but more street racer with a modern twist. Oh and there was also a final twist - my son was living in Salt Lake City and encountered a yellow 914-6 which happened to belong to a chap called Eric Shea…..that resulted eventually in some dealings, and a memorable ride in that same car that Jay Leno rode in later!

So fast forward several years and I have the following to put together.

Fully restored and painted body shell with slightly flared rear arches only for the 16x7 Fuchs rear wheels I acquired along the way. Fronts are 16x6.

2258cc Type 4 engine with Porsche fan, Bugpack 3 stage dry sump pump with remote front mounted thermostat, cooler and dry sump tank. 78mm forged crank and 96mm Keith Black pistons on Carillo rods with ARP fasteners, Webcam 86c camshaft, new AMC cylinder heads with n44mm intake and 38mm exhaust valves with Elephant foot adjusters, twin Weber 44IDF carbs with Pertronix ignition and Flame Thrower coil. Compression ratio was set at 9.1. All engine parts and crankcase work supplied by James at Stateside Tuning in Gloucestershire. Finally decided that a tired old starter motor was not up to the job and bought a high torque starter from Powerlite.

Gearbox has been rebuilt as a close ratio box by Mike Bainbridge in Kendal, with sprints and hillclimbs in mind. 5th is stock as an overdrive.

Suspension is via Elephant racing bushings front and rear, with Koni inserts front with 911 control arms and Sway Away 21mm torsion bars. A Weltmeister front anti-roll/sway bar completes the set up. Rear suspension also has Koni shocks with Rebel Racing coil overs and 150Lb Eibach springs. Rear control arms are strengthened as per PMB pattern (thanks Eric!), and have rose jointed toe-in adjusters fitted to the outer mounting bracket.

Front hubs, rotors and calipers are from a 911, whilst rear hubs, rotors and calipers are stock but modified for 5 bolt wheels by PMB. A 19mm master cylinder will be fitted with adjustable brake bias.

Internally a full bolt in Safety Devices cage will be fitted, whilst a chassis strengthening kit has been applied to the “longs” rear section. A plumbed race extinguisher will be fitted. Heat exchangers have been deleted from the motor, and so a heated windscreen will be fitted along with Lexan side and rear windows. Fibreglass boot and bonnet (trunk and hood!) lids have been procured as per the original 914-6GT cars, as well as fibreglass bumpers and sills.

Given the state of the old electrical loom, and the deletion of multiple electrical items (heater, headlight motors, fuel injection) a custom loom has been designed and will be fitted with additional relays on all key circuits to protect the older switches. Protection will be via circuit breakers. The new relay panel and power distribution board will sit under a custom passenger footrest which pivots down to reveal the electrics.

The stripped interior will be finished with a pair of Cobra Classic RS seats, fitted with 4 point harnesses.


I am currently on an extended holiday visiting my children and grandchildren in far-flung places but on return in early March will be full speed ahead with the final assembly. All major components have been fitted prior to painting, so it should all go back together well…..

To date I have fitted most of the suspension, and started the interior fit-out. The engine has run in a custom frame outside of the car and this has revealed some (hopefully…) minor leaks which will be fixed prior to installation in the car. The complex oil system has proven one of the most challenging aspects to get right, but I think we are close. I am super-aware that getting the in-car installation of this right first time will be a real priority - especially the long lines up the front.

I will post a few pictures of my journey to date, and will keep you updated on progress. Some of you may be as terrified as I am that I have booked ferry tickets for my son and I to attend the 2020 Le Mans Classic this July - and the 914 will be our vehicle of choice……I do have a couple of other options but my mates will rib me remorselessly if I miss the deadline with the 914……..

Wish me luck!!

Simon