To attempt to rescue or not Options

[SLCE30318is]

Hi Everybody,

I am new here and still reading through the wealth of information in my spare time.

I found this one about five miles from where I live and decided to check it out. While I'm doing my research, I'd like to reach out to everyone here and gather their thoughts on this.

Owner claims that he never got around to restoring it and it's been sitting for a year at his friend's paint and body shop. He is asking $1800 for it. I would strongly consider it if I can get it for $1000 or less (maybe I'm being too hopeful).

The paint and body shop owner offered to bring it into his shop and have it on a lift so I can check it out more the next time I want to have a look at it.

Here are the videos from today:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ2mpItBA60



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNAbXfQpgCU



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNQaaoDl2V0


I understand that this is going to be A LOT of work, but I'm willing to spend years working on a 914 project in my spare time and learn things along the way. My only concern is starting out with something that is too far gone.

All input appreciated.

Cheers,

Ian

[veekry9]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) .... from another E30 original owner (`85 325e 2dr)

You might be better off in the long run time & cost wise to find a better starter or stalled project to work on, as the costs & work load will add up quickly.

Here & 914club.com both have Craigs List search functions to find private sale 914s too - with email notifications of new ads - as well as the classified ads here & 914club.

If mine wasn't my own 914 since 1975 (2nd owner) & I were looking, then I'd probably locate a much better example than my poor 73 2L! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Also, go to Jeff Bowlsby's (member on here) "Classic 914" website, in the Technical Docs. section IIRC - & download his 914 checklist to help guide you when looking at 914 prospects.

Also members on here who are local to any 914 you find can probably help you with a PPI.

PS - there is a safety catch on the front trunk lid just about center that you needed to squeeze up against the deck lid front lip to release - after the in cabin release "T" handle is pulled to pop the lid up an inch or so.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////

Thanks for the advice Tom! I'm currently working on my E30 right now. I guess the German car bug bit me pretty bad.

A puppy will start out small like a 914 project then grow quickly into a giant.
Whats great about the 914 is the support here and from the manufacturer as well.
You're on solid ground so no sweat,motor on.Without the drivetrain the selection of motive power is at your whim.
SBC?Sure,step this way.http://www.renegadehybrids.com/
PorscheV8?http://www.freisinger-motorsport.de/porsch...Spareparts.html
All around the world.

[EdwardBlume]

A puppy... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[SLCE30318is]

Thanks for the input and great advice guys. I'll take it all into consideration.

[johnhora]

You don't need to look for rust. It's already there. Its a good $1k parts car but will probably become a very frustrating and expensive restoration. However, a parts car is a great way to get a 914 education.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

parts....

[1972 914 2.0]

Just to give you some perspective I paid $2600 for my 914 last year. It was pretty much rust free, It had paint, and it had a running motor but NO interior. None. In hindsight I know I over paid.

This car you're looking at could be a good project but everything will need going through and replacing.
Yeah of course there's rust thats given, replacement panels are out there.
If you know what you're doing and have a garage/shop big enough then don't be afraid to tackle the rust repair yourself.
The interior is straight forward but parts are pricy, luckily for you the interior is mostly complete.
Suspension will need a run through and so will the brakes.
Locating an engine and transmission won't be difficult, in fact you'll be spoiled for choice.
The biggest factor is cost.

I'd say there is well over $6000 just in parts alone that it needs not to mention paint.

Look if you can get for $5-600 it could possibly be worth it. What matters is that you feel positive about it and understand the risk involved.

Just words from someone who overpaid for a 914 that needed more work than I bargained for.

[SLCE30318is]

Thanks for the continued advice guys, I really do appreciate it. The seller hasn't been very responsive, so I'm going to just put this one on the back burner (he's claiming he has to get it titled in Alabama). Just some red flags from this guy based off of the not-so-kind words his friend at the body shop mentioned when talking about how the car ended up at his shop.

There was a nice example of one in Houston that popped up for around $3K but was sold within 18 hours. After putting a WTB ad on craigslist, I received an email from the guy who is attempting to flip it. He's saying he is trying to sell it for $5K once he gets it running. I might take a look at it once he's done.

[SLCE30318is]

So not really much of an update, but I haven't been able to reach the body shop owner to take a second look at the car on a lift.

I hit the owner up with an offer of $300, as I'm trying to get one for a great deal (whether a restoration or parts car). The owner seems to want to get it moved, but I think I'll stick with my guns and try to get it for less than $400.

So the battery tray area looks pretty far gone. But I'm still holding out the slightest of hope for a steal and long restoration.

[mepstein]

I can see grass through the passenger long. It's toast.

[partwerks]

I don't know, but I think I would take the funds that you would be dumping into that scab eating, rust machine, and find one that is already established some what. Or find one that maybe needs paint, or has a ratty interior, or needs an engine, and would maybe be selling for less, as that would be easier to deal with/fix, than rust, I would think??

[SLCE30318is]

Thanks for the replies guys. So I've been seeing some that are running and patched up in various ways (one car had bed liner all over a lot of the surfaces) in the $5K range. A few non runners with issues in the $2-3K range as well.

My concern is spending $3-5K on one that's in better condition than one of these types and then during the process of stripping/restoring it, I find really big issues as well, versus fixing something the proper way (and knowing that I did it) from something that has a lower starting point.

[mepstein]

two years ago i paid $200 for a car in similar condition. I would probably pay $500-600 for that car - max

[MJHanna]

I would buy it for the wheels and throw the rest of it away. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Cairo94507]

I must be getting accustomed to seeing these neglected cars and the work they need. I looked at that car and it did not look that bad to me. I think if you bought that for $500 you would be stealing it. Less than $750 and you got a great deal.

The nice thing about getting one like this, assuming you intend to disassemble and inspect every part and then put it back together, is you will know exactly what the car is made of and where the issues lie. Since you seem to be looking for a project that may span a few years, this is not a car to run from -so far.

Take the shop owner up on his offer and put it up on a lift and really poke at the bottom of the car so you can see how extensive the rust is. Then you will know if your top offer is <$500 or not.

Good luck and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[SLCE30318is]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll post up a video and pictures when I get a chance to get it up on the lift.

[OllieG]

I can see grass through the passenger long. It's toast.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Looks like a REALLY BIG project!! How much do you want to take on?

I started my resto without any previous experience and have learned a ton along the way…but I count my blessings everyday that I bought a largely solid car despite not really checking it out all that carefully when I bought it - simply coz I didn't really know what to look for then!

At first glance, I reckon that yellow car would be beyond me but you might already have experience restoring cars, unlike I did…

I always think you guys in the US are really lucky to have such a good pool of 914s in various states of repair so I'm sure you'd be able to find a better car if you're patient. Sadly, you take what you can get here in the UK!

If you have the space and spare cash, I think that car would be a great buy as a $500 parts car. But imho from what I can see, I would personally keep looking…

Let's see what it looks like when you get it on a lift.

Good luck...