Area51Werks starts another Autotopsy Resurrection of a Factory 6, Welding is Done! Fixtures are removed Onto the cleanup and paint work. Options

[rick 918-S]

I wanted to start another build thread for the 914-6 I purchased from Ethan. When we were able to put together a deal I could hardly wait to come out and collect it.

Last year our Titan was totaled. So Sandy and I took our little truck with trailer and headed out. We drove straight through to Vegas. We met up with John Peterson and stayed in the 914 room. Sandy was calling it our room. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

Half way to Vegas the brakes started grinding. There was no way we were going to make So Cal and all the hills with dead brakes. So while Sandy was at her meeting in Vegas JP and I rebuilt the front brakes on the mighty Ranger. Thanks again for all your help and hospitality John!

Our first stop on the way to pick up the 6 was at Ron's shop. Ron set me up with a 2.7S and goodies. Thanks to his generosity I have most everything to put the car back in running condition when the chassis work in done. And congratulations to Grandpa Ron and the new baby girl they just welcomed into the world.

When we arrived at Ethan's we were pleasantly surprised by the weather. Beautiful Sunny California makes it hard to leave and come back to the cold and snow. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Yes, we were greeted by a nice light dusting of snow when we arrived home. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Anyway, it was great to spend the day with friends, eat brisket and tell stories.

Kent, Rod and Wayne came to help with the fun.

I received a project from Rod while I was there. More on that in another thread.

Rod was a wealth of knowledge about the history of this car. I really need to spend some time on the phone with him now that I am back and talk more about the cars origin and past.

Kent lead the way and got us back on the road heading out of So Cal to points east. It was a great day in the 914World. Thanks all!

Now on to the car. I have it home now. My son Aric and I spent some time doing forensics on the chassis. We dropped the suspension and started removing some of the bolt on stuff that will have to be cleared in order to repair the chassis.

I plan a full on documented chassis rebuild showing the process involved in determining how and where to pull, what to remove and the importance of proper technic when splitting panels welding things back together. To some this may be basic but I get a lot of questions about chassis repairs and felt it would be a good place to start a discussion.

For now, here's the car:



My favorite place to stop for a photo of my 914's. I have taken a photo here with every 914 I have.

[rick 918-S]

Impressive changes since I saw it last year. Congrats on the progress. You are a true craftsman!

Thanks Ernie! Maybe see you at RRC this year if things work out.

That would be wonderful!

When are you going to bring the Alien to Okteenerfest???????

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

come on down Rick! i know thats a long haul but, if Clay and Betty and others can come al lthe way from Texas....... i know there used to be a midwest gathering called MUSR somwere like central Tennessee , but that faded and Okteenerfest sprung up in its place.
We do have some fun roads !

I want to see the Alien try to abduct the Dragon!

I would love to make that event some day. I retire in a little over a year. Maybe I can work it in then.

[rick 918-S]

I guess this car was really meant to end up at Area51Werks. I was pulling the stuff out from under the cowl to clean up the dirt and mess and the 4 lbs of grinder metal I could not get even with a blow gun and a shop vac. I removed the left side defroster vent and a bunch of stuff fell out. This was one of the items that was stuck in there.

[sb914]

There in Oceanside ca .
I’ve actually ate there. It was out of this world good ..

[rick 918-S]

There in Oceanside ca .
I’ve actually ate there. It was out of this world good ..

How's the pizza?

[rick 918-S]

Little clean up under way.

[napasteve]

Did you find OJ’s knife in there?

[rick 918-S]

Been a couple weeks since I posted an update. The clip is in primer.

[Maltese Falcon]

Mad skills/ coming around to the finish line !

[KELTY360]

Unimaginable!
My mind takes me back to a mangled wreck that could easily have become a premium parts car. Instead it will take to the road again as a prime example of the 914 mystique!
Thanks for taking us on the journey.

[porschetub]

Unimaginable!
My mind takes me back to a mangled wreck that could easily have become a premium parts car. Instead it will take to the road again as a prime example of the 914 mystique!
Thanks for taking us on the journey.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) share the same thoughts ,the metal work would have been unrepairable to many and look @ it now ....wow ,another level ,lost for more words (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) .

[flyer86d]

Unimaginable!
My mind takes me back to a mangled wreck that could easily have become a premium parts car. Instead it will take to the road again as a prime example of the 914 mystique!
Thanks for taking us on the journey.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) share the same thoughts ,the metal work would have been unrepairable to many and look @ it now ....wow ,another level ,lost for more words (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) .

Yup!

Charlie

[Cairo94507]

Beautiful work. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Luke M]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

I gotta say it.. You're the man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)
Lots of work involved in bring it back to life.
Did you spray it with epoxy or ?

[Front yard mechanic]

Nice a 99000.00 dollar repair on a 100,000.00 car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

I gotta say it.. You're the man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)
Lots of work involved in bring it back to life.
Did you spray it with epoxy or ?

Hi Luke and all,

Yes 2 part an then high build. Ready to start blocking. I have some nasty work ahead. The bottom of the car is covered in oil and dirt. Likely why it is so preserved. I needed to get it to the point where it was in primer in the event I had some splatter while pressure washing the bottom of the car. Not looking forward to this.

Things that are left after the oil mess is cleaned up:

Replace the battery tray and stand. It was removed and the battery was relocated to the frunk.

Repair the right side jack post cover. Looks like the rocker cover trapped dirt up against it causeing the bottom to rust. Pretty minor really.

[rick 918-S]

Nice a 99000.00 dollar repair on a 100,000.00 car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) If it were a rusty car it would have ended up in the scrap bid. And good thing I didn't have to charge someone to do this work. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Little Frunk Paint. Maybe Red Rocks?

[rick 918-S]

The doors are blocked and ready. I have a pressure washer and it looks like it is going to stop raining tomorrow. I hope to get the bottom and engine bay pressure washed clean tomorrow while it is still on the Celette. I hope to get the suspension back under the car within the next couple weeks.

[rick 918-S]

Dont spray that black crap on the bottom of the car

[rick 918-S]

Good progress on the removal of the black bomb can coating. I ended up using spray can paint stripper to soften the coating then used the pressure washer to get it off.





The only rust was on the jack post cover from dirt being packed against it. When I cut it open I discovered a small hole in the long behind the cover. I cut out the rust. The inside of the long is still in light gray primer. This car is very solid!