My 1973 2.0 Flared Restoration, A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step...and Lots of Bondo Removal Options

[VWTortuga336]

So here's my 2nd 914 in 2 years. And I've still never driven one! Here's to hoping I have the intestinal fortitude to take this one across the finish line within a few years. My 1st 914 was a 1974 that hadn't moved in ~15 years. After doing some of the fun stuff (engine removal, started the rebuild process, new brakes, etc.), I realized it was too far gone for me at that time. I had a small garage, no welder and no time to work on it. Now, I have a much bigger work space, more tools and I just competed my MBA, so lots more free time (more is a relative term here). Now I have a 1973 2.0L with steel flares.







I haven't had time yet to take a real deep dive into it yet (still unpacking stuff in our new house) but here's what I can tell so far:

The good:
1. 2.0L engine with new "Webers" (I was told they were legit, but they aren't)
2. Steel flares. They actually look like they were installed pretty decently
3. Interior looks to be in decent shape
4. Center gauge console with 2 CHT gauges, oil pressure and oil temp
5. Momo steering wheel
6. Wide 4 lug wheels - not sure what kind
7. Floors and trunks look to be solid
8. Hell hole isn't totally shot - still some repair work needed
9. Battery already relocated to front trunk

The bad:
1. Longs are totally shot - going to install Brad Mayeur kit
2. Paint/body work is HORRIBLE
3. Engine only has compression on 3 cylinders and smoked BADLY
4. Steel rocker covers are welded to the car
5. Lots and lots and lots of bondo on the joints between the car and the rocker covers
6. Passenger side door is rusty

Here's my plan of attack, at least until I find lots more issues that may make me change course:

1. Fix all the rust
2. Finish building my 2366 engine
3. Do body work and paint prep
4. Paint Ravenna green
5. Do 5 lug conversion w/ 5 spoke Fuchs


I'll have tons of questions for this great group as I go through this project, so thank you everyone in advance for your advice and encouragement.

So here's are the first, but far from the last, questions I have: has anyone had any experience removing rockers like this? Aside from measure twice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) once, any other pieces of advice as I start this rust repair? Will it be better for me to leave the doors installed to set the gap, or weld in braces?