NEED HELP, Put Husband’s Car Back Together Options

[PDrinkwater]

Hello Everyone, I don’t know if this is the right venue or if I am doing this right but I am looking for some help to put my husband’s 1974 914LE Porsche back together. Here is my story. I am a Widow, who lives in Fergus, Ontario, Canada,. I lost my husband in 2017 from cancer that he got having volunteered in NY during 9/11 for the Red Cross for 5 weeks. We found out in 2014 that he had it and he fought and we thought we had it beat but then in April 2017 we found out it came back big time and in June my husband lost his battle. During the time that he was ill he started to work on his Porsche to distract himself from what was going on, but didn’t have the chance to put it back together. I have tried over the last three years to find someone to help me to put it back together with no luck. They have either misunderstood and thought I wanted to sell it, or wanted to charge me a lot of money just to come look at, or bring it to them to look at, or said yes they would help but have never shown up, Or too busy to help, or not interested in helping, or friends (or so I thought) who accepted over $1000 worth of my husbands tools and promised to help but hasn’t shown up and now ignores my phone calls and emails. I am asking for help on here now because I am down to the wire. I have just sold my home and have to be out by Oct 2 and I need to be able to move my husband’s baby as he left it to our daughter and I would like her to have it. The car is not completely torn apart. The wheels are off, the two doors, and hoods are off. The motor is still in. I’m sure other things are off but I don’t know enough about it to tell you, and with just sitting for these years I don’t know what that does to a car. Everything that he has worked on is on shelves right by the car or in the car. I know with COVID it maybe difficult but the car is in my husband’s shop, which is on our property so no one else would be around. Please I need help and I don’t know where else to turn. I know my husband was on Porsche forums, because every time I would come n to check on him when he was suppose to be sleeping he was talking on them. Lol. Maybe if a couple of you guys could work on it, it would get done with ease. Please I would really appreciate help, this car meant a lot to him and I just don’t know where else to turn. Thank you for listening to me. I hope one or two or however many of you can help me.

[EdwardBlume]

Mrs Drinkwater, I'm very sorry for your loss. Your husband sounds like a good guy.

Like your husband, you have a car that is special.

No one can tell you what to do with it. You have to decide whether its something you want to keep or move it on. That's a choice based on your circumstances and wants.

If you keep it, it will cost you money. A lot of money. They just do.

If you sell it, you may regret it later, and that happens too.

I recall having another member who lost her brother and decided to keep his 914 and restore it in his honor. After spending something like $10,000 she was left with a painted shell and parts everywhere. She reached out and she did see it through with some 914 friends. I believe that car is still being enjoyed today as it was intended.

If it were me, I would create a plan with help from folks here on what it would take to restore including costs, time, and parts. It may help you decide.

Help with parts is easy. Time and paint are another matter.

Lastly, a project like this is not a money maker. I have my Dad's 74 914 and I've spent a multiple of its value over the decades to keep it. That said, I wouldn't part with it for $1 million. The money isn't worth the joy and presence of my father it brings me.

Best wishes!