Resurrecting a Bumblebee and me, A slackers attempt at keeping Pandora in the box Options

[KELTY360]

So it's time to get off my ass and deal with this rare gem that has wandered into my garage. Much to the skepticism of some, it's an original 21,000 mile LE that was parked by the original owner in 1988 and didn't move til his heir's sold the car and the new owner moved it from Honolulu to Pt. Townsend, WA in late summer 2022. My somewhat accidental purchase is documented in a previous thread: Low mileage LE?

For those who don't know me, I'm a longtime 914 believer since purchasing a Sunflower Yellow 1.7 brand new in 1973. I've since owned a variety of these little cars, currently holding a '74 2.0 and the LE. I've also encountered a couple of major oral surgeries over the last year that have put me in a state of slow recovery that leads to my personal resurrection. I didn't really intend to buy the LE but that ship has sailed and I'm trying to bring it back to life for my own resurgence, with the help of some friends of course.

The car is very solid and straight with minimal corrosion, as verified by @Root_Werks and @Greenie . My plan at present is to get it sorted out mechanically and some cosmetics, without performing a complete restoration. I do not plan on keeping the car when the plan is done. So, anyone who's interested in a very original, documented and compete LE is welcome to contact me. In this thread I'll be posting a list of parts needed and pictures and descriptions of work planned or completed.

I'll end this long post with an obligatory pic so I don't get the dreaded TTIWWP emogi. Many more pics to follow as I progress.

[Chris H.]

Awesome find Marc! Can't wait to see the refresh. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[914werke]

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[wonkipop]

you got to love survivor cars. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

there is a real case for just doing whats necessary and no more with a car like that.

great stuff.

[Bullethead]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) What a great find! Sympathetic resurrections take patience but the results are so rewarding... watching with interest.

[Beach914]

Can't wait to see the progress! Looking forward to lots more pictures.

I like that you will keep it as original as possible!

[rjames]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[KELTY360]

A number of people commented in the auction thread that it had 20K 'hard miles'. That may be true, but I think it's more a matter of 34 'hard years' sitting idle in a carport.

Initially the driver's door latch wouldn't work without pulling so hard you'd break the handle. Fortunately the inside latch worked fine. After many applications of penetrating oil and gently operating the latch it freed up and now opens smooth and easy. An added benefit is that the door closes with a satisfying thump...love that sound.



I'm very pleased with the body gaps on this door.

[mepstein]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Craigers17]

Nice find! I hope you put those Rivs on there to roll the car around, and have the stock Mahles stashed away for safe keeping. Otherwise, it looks like one of the previous owners made a very poor wheel decision. It's also strange that he converted the targa trim on the back to chrome.....I could be wrong, but I think it's supposed to be black if it's stock.

[KELTY360]

Nice find! I hope you put those Rivs on there to roll the car around, and have the stock Mahles stashed away for safe keeping. Otherwise, it looks like one of the previous owners made a very poor wheel decision. It's also strange that he converted the targa trim on the back to chrome.....I could be wrong, but I think it's supposed to be black if it's stock.

It's not rolling now as it went on jackstands this weekend thanks to Curt who came over the mountains from chez Greenie to help. The Rivs were on when I got it, but I also got the Mahles in the deal. Four of them have been painted with a red center for some reason but the spare in the frunk is pristine. Mahles are my favorite 914 wheel and I'll be restoring them to their proper finish.






I suspect the trim and sail/targa vinyl was added by the dealer to enhance floor appeal. I've heard the LE's could be slow to sell initially. The vinyl is in very good shape, although I will be looking to replace some trim pieces. I've thought about removing the vinyl but for now I'll let the next owner make that decision.

[Root_Werks]

Very cool you finally got a thread started on the "refresh"!

For the wheels, wonder if it'd be worth it to just have them completely restored?

[KELTY360]

Very cool you finally got a thread started on the "refresh"!

For the wheels, wonder if it'd be worth it to just have them completely restored?

Good question. My plan is to get the paint stripped and any curb rash and blemishes fixed and then have them painted at the same time as the bumpers and valances; using the pristine wheel as a guide for color match. Make sense?

[Beach914]

Looks like an original spoiler too! Hopefully its in good condition. Don't let that sucker out of your sight.

[scallyk9]

Congratulations!!! Great find as this LE survivor appears to have "good bones" and yes, the original VPC front spoiler.

When I had the yellow accents repainted, Mark at Eurotech Bodywerkes found the correct Sunflower Yellow paint listed with Glasurit as Summer Yellow with the same paint code (Sunflower Yellow became Summer Yellow for the 1975 model year). And the same mix was used by the vendor who restored all five Mahle wheels. We had the Porsche script for the sides custom made to a paint swatch.

Your side script seems to be mounted a little high. There are actual Porsche specifications for the location of the script and I think I might have seen them on Jeff Bowlsby's site.

[wonkipop]

looks like the spare still has the o g dunlop SP mounted on it.
speaks volumes.

good luck with the both your resurrections.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[KELTY360]

Looks like an original spoiler too! Hopefully its in good condition. Don't let that sucker out of your sight.

Right! That was confirmed when I first saw the car. Would have been a deal-breaker if it wasn't. More pics when it's off the car.

[KELTY360]

Congratulations!!! Great find as this LE survivor appears to have "good bones" and yes, the original VPC front spoiler.

When I had the yellow accents repainted, Mark at Eurotech Bodywerkes found the correct Sunflower Yellow paint listed with Glasurit as Summer Yellow with the same paint code (Sunflower Yellow became Summer Yellow for the 1975 model year). And the same mix was used by the vendor who restored all five Mahle wheels. We had the Porsche script for the sides custom made to a paint swatch.

Your side script seems to be mounted a little high. There are actual Porsche specifications for the location of the script and I think I might have seen them on Jeff Bowlsby's site.

That's good info, Ben.

As I understand it the stripes were delivered in the trunk and added at the dealer. They didn't do a very good job in application. All four transitions at the wheel well lips have separated from the body to some degree.

[KELTY360]

looks like the spare still has the o g dunlop SP mounted on it.
speaks volumes.

good luck with the both your resurrections.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Good eye! 165R15 Dunlop SP57, Made in Germany. Found this sticker firmly attached on the back wall of the spare well. Probably put on at the factory, although it might have been applied at the dealer. The Mahle on the spare also has SP written on the back of the wheel.

[JeffBowlsby]

A couple of clarifications. THis appears to be an original finish car. Everything is original.

Great to see the factory spoiler which was not made by VPC. VPS made an afermarket spoiler emulating the factory spoiler.

The side stripes look original like they have been on the car for 49 years. On my original paint BB they were also mounted high like that. As I understand it, the stripes were mounted on the dealer lot (assuming the customer did not reject them) because the cars shipped coated in cosmiline for the ocean voyage which would damage vinyl decals, so the side stripes could be mounted in any number of ways. The package o aftermarket stripes that dealers sold over the counter has mounting instructions, but that does not mean the lot boys followed them.