Who has the record? UPDATE in the life happens, Rome was built in how many days? 1year and counting Options

[Gunn1]

Recently just had lower spinal surgery and have had a little more time to read many of the build threads and others like the "Barn find"

And while this spinal surgery (life happens)is hopefully a minor set back for my family life and cars, it makes me want to ask the question "who's has the record for the longest ongoing build?"

What kind of "life happens" obstacles caused the build to stop, or rethink your likelihood of ever completing the restoration.

Kinda wishing I was Bon Jovi, and had "the power to turn back time" but never mind must be OxyContin talkin......

[Tom_T]

Well, how about 31+ years & still ongoing?

My `73 2L was my DD 12/75 to 5/85 (2nd owner), & after a rolling resto & complete mechanical rebuild 80-83, was hit in a parking structure while I was in grad school classes - mashing both the rear trunk, pushed 2' forward into a concrete 1/2 column & wall thereby mashing the front face too. So all fresh mechanicals, my 3rd car owned, & a car of 10 years with personal meaning to me, collect the insurance after a fight, but a then soon-to-be-wife who said to use the money to "...get a car with a back seat, because we're going to have kids." So it went to get car #4 - our 85 BMW 325e & still a DD.

My 914 went into the garage in May 1985, while I was slowly looking for the needed parts for the repairs - which was much slower in those pre-internet days! And therre was always something else with higher priority for my time & funds, between 2 kids, 1921 house, cars, my business, etc., etc. .... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

In 2009 both kids were grown - 1 finishing college that June, the other soon to follow in a couple of years, & I too was laid up for awhile with a surgery, so tarted trolling the net for 914 parts & info., & found 914world & 914club, etc.

So I thoroughly understand why you're on here so much now while you're laid up! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I've had good success since `09 gathering the needed parts, doing research on what/how I wanted to restore my old gal (which has changed from my original plan to just get her to DD working order, & maybe even swap drivetrain into another solid tub), some forensic delving into what was needed & where the tin worm have done damage - yes, even in a dry SoCal garage, after 13+ years in all sorts of weather over 172,000+ miles as a DD for the OO & I.

However, other BS & life still gets in the way, so it will still be a while before the resto really gets rolling & done! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

But I didn't keep my 914 for over 3 decades, collect $1,000's in parts, spend the time to figure out what I wanted to do, just to let her go & do nothing. So she will get done .... eventually! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

So don't give up hope, as I'm sure you too will get a "round tuit"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

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