1974 914 - Tig welding and Metalshaping saved it! Back on the road! Options

[TRS63]

Hello all,

member and owner of a 1974 1,8l since a few months, I still did not introduced myself.. now correcting it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

First about myself: I am a french guy living in Stuttgart, 32 years old, mechanical engineer but my real passions are metalshaping and aircooled VWs and Porsche (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

After dreaming about a 914 since years, I decided end of last year that it was time to fulfill the dream and after seeing a few 914s, I bough that one.

About the car: originally from the US (sadly I know nothing about its history there), it is a 1974 1,8l 914 originally phoenix red. It was sometimes repainted, before 1991 when it was imported to the UK. It ran there until 2009, where it found its way back to Germany. And since october with me!

It is far from perfect but a good driver, which was my goal, as I want to enjoy it on the road during the restoration of my karmann ghia (for the curious: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic...&highlight= ).

my plan:
-drive drive drive drive (made 1000miles the first month with it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) )
-in the future: repair the rust, paint it original color back, improve the handling (it still has no sway bars, shocks are quite old, frame stiffener will be ordered,..), some interior modification,.. goal is to keep it usable on the street, while lightening it where possible and putting some more power (I am in love with the sound of a 6 but might keep it a big 4 for weight and legal reasons..).

Some pictures:
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cheers

Antoine

[Tenner]

Hey Antoine, I‘am realy sorry about to see the issues on your car. These are nearly the same issues then my car had. In dont think there is a way for a quick repair
In your case I would make a patch to the rustholes at the long big enough to stiffen the area and Drive the car until your Karmann is back to road.
I'm pretty sure you'll find more to do at the 914 while your're at work on it.
For a propper repair you have to build a frame like that

This is combined with a rotisserie. I dont think there is a need for a celette bench.

You‘ll need to replace the inner long in the enginebay and as far I can see also the outer long. If you have to repair both, this can be done without cutting or removing the quaterpanel. But you have to remove the engine mount and the suspension console.
The panels from Restoration Design (they do a great Job for the 914 community) are a good startingpoint. I have highly modified them to meet my requirements.
If you have to replace the inner long in the passenger bay, Mittelmotor is a good source. They made good panel with the right dimensions for a reasonable price.

Tenner