914-6 Restoration, ...and away we go Options

[914350]

Hi all, I’m still a newbie here on world, I’ve made a few posts but have not yet formally introduced myself. My name is Kent and I have been restoring cars for over 20 years now. I did the reconstruction, body and paint on Andy’s (socalandy) 914-6. I immediately became hooked on 914,s and bought and built a 914 V8 conversion. I am starting a new restoration on another 914-6 so I will be posting pics of the progress as I go. The owner of this cars name is Jim and he has done a nice job of rounding up and restoring many of the parts thus far so this will no doubt be a nice car in the end. Andy (socalandy) posted a thread on this car a few months back and now it is in my shop and I’m ready to begin.

[dw914six]

Is it possible to estimate a number on the cost of bringing this one back? I know it's your business, so hope it's not in bad taste.

I just cannot imagine a project of this magnitude.

1. Is it cost effective?
a. The cost of the rusty 914-6 plus the restoration costs.
b. Would it be cheaper to buy one that is sound?
2. Can the car be as structurally sound and reliable as one which is a solid example from the start?

I know you guys on the site do magic with these cars, so I am guessing the car will be structurally fine. I would still believe one this far gone would be cost prohibitive today, given a nice 914-6 is still reasonable to buy. If you are doing the restoration work yourself, on your own car, then I know it would make sense. But to pay a professional to do all of this amazing work seems like it would add up to a very large number.

[914350]

Is it possible to estimate a number on the cost of bringing this one back? I know it's your business, so hope it's not in bad taste.

I just cannot imagine a project of this magnitude.

1. Is it cost effective?
a. The cost of the rusty 914-6 plus the restoration costs.
b. Would it be cheaper to buy one that is sound?
2. Can the car be as structurally sound and reliable as one which is a solid example from the start?

I know you guys on the site do magic with these cars, so I am guessing the car will be structurally fine. I would still believe one this far gone would be cost prohibitive today, given a nice 914-6 is still reasonable to buy. If you are doing the restoration work yourself, on your own car, then I know it would make sense. But to pay a professional to do all of this amazing work seems like it would add up to a very large number.

Not in bad taste at all, very good questions. I think Rick's answer is dead on. As far as prices go, it is hard to give a quote on a project this big but I did give Jim (the customer) an idea of what I thought it would be at the end. The final cost will be based on time and materials, so shop rate plus cost of materials.

It is a real 6 and also numbers matching so It has to be restored.