"New" 914. Is it worth restoring? Options

[green914]

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[worn]

New member to the 914 world. I just bought this car yesterday as a project car for me and my son and now wondering if I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I am mechanically inclined and do most of the mechanical work on the cars I have owned but this may be a little more than my pay grade. I have never welded or done body work.
It is a 1972.
I purchased it from an older lady for $500, it belonged to her son who passed away about 5 years ago. She needed the money and I initially thought it would be a good project. It has been sitting in the elements and baking in the hot sun of Las Vegas for the last 5 years, so every piece of rubber and the interior is shot. The engine is there but I have no idea what condition it is in. She thought it may have ran when it was parked but is unsure. No keys to the car.
We are on a budget and would like to bring the car back to a daily driver status. What do you all think?

She tried to cover the car with tarp and tape it down with duct tape but that didn't last long.

The words we are on a budget clinch things. You can go faster or slower, but you won't know how much it will cost until you have spent too much. If you don't mind thinking of it as a piggy bank to the drain lines it could be OK. Ask me how I know.

Also: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) this is the place to be.

[rhodyguy]

4-5k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) . No way.

[ripper911]

Since it's a LV car the chassis may be in surprisingly good condition.
If it is.. first thing I'd look for is a donor with a bad chassis but a good interior.

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

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Sounds like a good idea, if you can find one of a similar year for cheap.

[messix]

trailer it to the east coast and triple your money (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

you should see the junk they have to work with. that just might be a sweet chassis with with little rust... we can never say no rust because they were shipped with rust. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

damn neat every thing you need is reproduced or has after market options.

and it will just take some time and money, less money if you are handy and can do most all work your self.

i would first try to get it running and go from there.

keep the car and good luck.

[Localboy808]

New member to the 914 world. I just bought this car yesterday as a project car for me and my son and now wondering if I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I am mechanically inclined and do most of the mechanical work on the cars I have owned but this may be a little more than my pay grade. I have never welded or done body work.
It is a 1972.
I purchased it from an older lady for $500, it belonged to her son who passed away about 5 years ago. She needed the money and I initially thought it would be a good project. It has been sitting in the elements and baking in the hot sun of Las Vegas for the last 5 years, so every piece of rubber and the interior is shot. The engine is there but I have no idea what condition it is in. She thought it may have ran when it was parked but is unsure. No keys to the car.
We are on a budget and would like to bring the car back to a daily driver status. What do you all think?

She tried to cover the car with tarp and tape it down with duct tape but that didn't last long.

I'm new here as well and my 914 is going to be the first one I've worked on as well. The pictures don't look all that bad to me. But everything looks better in pictures. Haha. I'd do like the others said. Post some pictures of the areas mentioned. If it's solid. Try to get it running. Might not take much more than fluid changes and a tune up. Go through the brakes and clean it up. Do the seats. Buff it out and have fun. Then decide if you want to restore it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Localboy808]

And if you do part it out? I'm a buyer!

[Mike Bellis]

If the chassis is solid, you can do it for $4-5k.

You can't even get a good paint job for $4-$5k. You can get it driving for that if there is very little rust and the motor is good. If the motor is bad, there goes another $5k minimum.

[Claus Graf]

If the longs are good then go for it!

If it is too rusty you can start repairs with your 15 year old, and finish the car when the 4 year old grows up!

Good luck and Save the Porsche!

Claus

[rick 918-S]

We need more photos to be able to assist with advising on the condition. Battery tray, hell hole Pocket in front of the battery stand and at minimum passenger side jack point with the cover removed, floor pans.

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[EdwardBlume]

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Strip it down and assess the common problem areas. At a minimum, you'll discover whether it's a good tub with value or not.

BTW

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[Mark Henry]

If the chassis is solid, you can do it for $4-5k.

You can't even get a good paint job for $4-$5k. You can get it driving for that if there is very little rust and the motor is good. If the motor is bad, there goes another $5k minimum.

True, but there is a way around this.
Do the bodywork and spray it in epoxy primer, then for around $500 wrap it in vinyl. If you keep it out of the sun most of the time the vinyl will last for quite a while.

[mbseto]

Rather than decide based on the car, decide based on your son's interest. Start cleaning and disassembling, and it won't take long before you know if he's into it. If he is, he will glom on to the welding, etc. and you won't have to worry much about it- just mentor him (and finance him!) and enjoy your time together.

If he doesn't take to it, sell the project and find something else that interests you both.

[rmdinmd]

I understand a budget, but if you spread it out over a period of time than you might be able to increase the budget. I have been purchasing stuff and banking money over the last couple of years and setting it aside for when I am ready to do the body paint work. makes it less painful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[zipedadoo]

I built a 1972 with my son. We did it on the cheap. Painted it ourselves $300. Did the interior $300. Re-powered with a 2.2 subaru $2800.00. It looks good from 20ft or so , runs great and is dependable.

Is it a show car? No. Will it get him through High school? Yes.

After he is through with school we will get him a little commuter car for collage and I'll take the 914 and redo everything but this time take some time and do it right.

Not that I would recommend this approach for everyone but it works for us.

[JoeDees]

If the chassis is solid, you can do it for $4-5k.

You can't even get a good paint job for $4-$5k. You can get it driving for that if there is very little rust and the motor is good. If the motor is bad, there goes another $5k minimum.

3 letters: DIY

You can buy Eastwood epoxy primer for $100, primer and paint at Tractor supply for <$100, or one of the online paint suppliers for <$250, or buy a "legit" paint at the local paint shop for around $600.

A full rebuild in your garage is not $5k. The AA rebuild set with crank, P&Cs, rods, bearings, flywheel is $1000; or a P&C set from AA = $300, carb kit = $700, etc. You can buy a decent core 1.7 longblock for $100 if you're needing pieces and I've seen certified running engines on craigslist for $5-700. Or patrolling the classifieds collecting parts while doing body work can get you some quality stuff cheap. If you're doing your own work and not going nuts I don't see how you're spending that much.

When I finish my build I am going to post receipts and put some of this shit to rest. I'm not trying to be rude, but I think some of you guys are living on a different planet than me. People are always trying to discourage new teeners on this board and I think that's just wrong. Why try to ruin hope, for where there is a will there is a way, and much of this is depending on timeline and talent. If you're outsourcing work, it's going to cost you a lot more than DIY, if you need it quick it'll cost you more too. I'm on the 2-3 year program and searching for deals on stuff I won't need for months or even years.

But really I guess the question is: Are we talking concourse or a good looking driver that's great for cruise-ins and local shows?

[Lemmonhead]

Thanks for the replies. I can see some rust on the riverside wheel wheel. Looking under the car I can see some rust on the floor pans, can not determine yet the depth of the rust. Rockers look good. For the life of me I cannot figure how to open the rear trunk. No buttons, there is not a wire hanging down no visible levers.

[Lemmonhead]

Trying to figure out how to make the pictures smaller off of the phone.

Drivers side wheel well corner

[914forme]

Thanks for the replies. I can see some rust on the riverside wheel wheel. Looking under the car I can see some rust on the floor pans, can not determine yet the depth of the rust. Rockers look good. For the life of me I cannot figure how to open the rear trunk. No buttons, there is not a wire hanging down no visible levers.

Your rockers look great, unfortunately what you are seeing is the rocker covers. You will have to go along and remove all the rivets, and bolts to get behind them. Then you can see what you have.

Rear trunk, does it have a Porsche reflector on the back? Then you will be looking for a button, more than likely a electrical solenoid. You can get in through the engine compartment, popping the cup for the top brakes, and using a really long pull to push the button. The real dangerous way is releasing the rear trunk pivot bolts. Torsion bars can really hurt you if your not careful on releasing the tension.

Post more pictures, you can always go a different direction.

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[Lemmonhead]

Engine bay full of dirt and sand