Rust-destroyed chassis, but anything useful?, old body goes to the dumpster Options

[JCHinCT]

I bought a totally rusted out ’71 to salvage some parts. Never before seen a car where there was literally no floor, and the bottom 1/3 of the longs were rusted away. An astonishingly bad effort to weld in a home made piece of sheet metal to substitute for a floor, and ignoring the fact that structurally this would never have worked, not to mention that the right wheel console was completely missing (that's not maladjusted camber!)

I got the suspension and steering parts I wanted, and a few misc. things, then I cut up what was left. I learned a lot about how the chassis was designed and assembled, but it was kind of weird to deliberately “kill” the donor while I’m trying to “save” my '75, which is still on the rotisserie.

I’m getting a dumpster next week and will lug all the component parts in and have it hauled away. But I find myself wondering if there’s anyone that might benefit a few body parts that don’t seem totally destroyed by rust. For instance, one fender and one quarter panel seem ok, and the hood and trunk, though ugly, might be salvageable for someone. Engine compartment lid. Perhaps the targa top.

Am I wasting time here or might anyone want me to take photos and see if there’s something useful? I’m not looking to sell, happy to give away (I’m in central Connecticut). I just hate see some potentially useful 914 part go to the dump.

[Literati914]

Don't suppose the rear trunk floor is salvageable?

Is there an original early back-pad and passenger seat bottom?

It's got lug bolts, I guess they're wasted though unless you switched out hub/rotors etc. Though it being a '71 the rear hubs probably have the 5-lug stampings, kind of a shame.

Pull that steering wheel and keep it or sale. Kick the wheels to turn it until gone.

I'd pull the front windshield if there are no cracks, as a back up.

Is the wiring harness in tact?

[SirAndy]

- Main chassis wiring harness (can easily fetch $100+ by itself if in good condition)
- Engine lid + letters (there's a member here that turns them into GT lids)
- Dash + pad if in ok condition
- Various bits and bobs, switches, controls, levers
- Chrome trim still looks decent


And last but not least, add the VIN and other info to the VIN database and mark it as "dead":
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=membervins

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[porscheteck914]

Working on mine , Me having no parts car. The original bolts , clips & screws are harder to get then the original part . Most sellers when you buy a part from them have already tossed the original fasteners . Save anything you can for the 914 world people . Who need parts . thanks

[wonkipop]

- Main chassis wiring harness (can easily fetch $100+ by itself if in good condition)
- Engine lid + letters (there's a member here that turns them into GT lids)
- Dash + pad if in ok condition
- Various bits and bobs, switches, controls, levers
- Chrome trim still looks decent


And last but not least, add the VIN and other info to the VIN database and mark it as "dead":
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=membervins

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

good list.
i'd add all the glass.

[JCHinCT]

Thanks for the comments / ideas. I have little doubt this car was left uncovered outside on a wet field, probably for many years. The only item mentioned that is in decent condition is the engine lid, which is surprisingly ok. I'll hang on to it until I hear of someone who wants it.

Windshield has a small crack in the corner. I carefully saved the rear glass & set it aside, then the hose popped off my air body saw (how does that happen??), whipped along the floor, hit the glass and smashed it into a zillion tiny bits. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I tried to carefully remove the trim, following posts on this site, but failed. Everything got bent. Irritatingly.

I've pulled the steering wheel/shaft, rack & pinion, struts and control arms, trailing arms and link bearings, and drive shafts, and have two transmissions. Plus the windshield wiper mechanism and the Behr air box and vents, and cleared out the mouse nests. I saved the gages, but frankly don't think they're salvageable.

All that stuff is intended for my 914-based project car. But unfortunately there's little else left of the donor that I see is useful, the rust was just too far gone.

[seanpaulmc]

Rear tail panel?

Firewall for patch panels or a center access cover.

Take anything still solid. It’s amazing what folks will repurpose. Just look what Fred’s done with his LE.

[DC_neun_vierzehn]

Pull everything small you can think of (that isn’t broken) to save as a backup. For example; the sun visor mounts and pins, the hood release handle and cable, e-brake handle, glove box lock, glove box door and screws, etc.

[930cabman]

Funny, I did the same thing a few years ago, brought home an early model on the verge of folding up. I managed to grab a few things but got rid of the hulk and wouldn't you know a couple of weeks later needed some bits

Murphys Law