The Shop Is Finally Done - 914 on Deck Options

[pfreiburger]

The time to completion for a project car is often (usually?) measured in years, but in my case, it was the shop to work on cars in that was a multi-year project. Altogether, the project ended up being over 4 years, and it took until I retired to finish it. I have lived in 5 houses (in 3 cities) and worked on cars in a makeshift (sometimes painfully small) house garage/shop in one after another. Over the years I developed a long-time dream to have a decent sized, well-equipped shop not shared with anything else - and not part of my house. That shop is now done, the dream realized.

I started planning and putting away money for this project many years ago, with the approval of my wife. It had not yet got rolling when I lost her suddenly and unexpectedly. Throwing myself info the project as much as possible helped to get me through the very bad times immediately afterward and have continued to help me make the transition to living on my own. It has been a lot of work, but also a real blessing.

Shop equipment has been moved in, including what I had packed into the back of the house garage, plus some new equipment that I never had room for before - namely a parts washer, hydraulic press and transmission jack. A sandblast cabinet is to be added yet this year. I have sorted through my lifetime accumulation of tools, reminding myself what I have, what went MIA, and have decided what would make the trip to the new digs. Chemicals, wire, hose and fab materials have been sifted, and my fastener stores (a real mess) have been sorted out.

My pack-ratting tendencies have been pretty disgraceful. I have, however, been ruthless in taking this opportunity to clean house during the process of moving to the new shop. Trash and recycle bins were filled repeatedly, and multiple trips to the scrapyard and to Goodwill were made. If I found something that I had been moving from house to house for years (30+ in some cases), it went away.

The pics below provide a look at the layout, with the 914 taking center stage on my favorite new piece of equipment, the forever coveted, twin post lift. The new shop seemed huge while I was finishing the interior and before the equipment was moved in (it’s 1560 sq. ft.), but it filled up so fast. There is only one spot of open wall, and that’s where the blast cabinet is going. A couple of cross-country friends have asked for a video, and if I do one I will post a link to it here as well.

And what about the 914 in the picture? Well, it’s a 1973 California 1.7, which is the runt of the litter HP-wise. So, while I collect parts for a more extensive future make-over, I decided to freshen it up and make it a bit more fun. On the agenda is a 1.9, (9.5 C/R) cylinder set and complimentary heads, which should do much for the driving experience. I will post here on that project as well as I get started. Cheers!

[infraredcalvin]

Nice Job! Thanks for sharing the pics and the story!

[930cabman]

Very cool, how long will it be until the space is filled with several 914's?

[Tonyooc]

That looks great congratulations. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[barefoot]

My condolences on your loss but you seem to have dealt with that in a very positive way.

At 84, I'm aware of that potential loss but have ben able to have as much shop as needed with a 3 car garage. Fortunately when i was working on the 914 I was working and had access to blast cabinet, ultrasonic cleaners, & precision inspection equipment.
I get by without a lift and have been frugal with my tool collection so didn't need a wholesale cleanup in various moves.
Now I have shop envy big time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Barefoot

[mepstein]

Definitely a dream shop. Congrats!

[Shivers]

What a wonderful shop. I call it therapy, 2 years and 4 months. It helps

[Cairo94507]

Condolences on your loss. That is a beautiful shop and you will enjoy spending time in there for sure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[DennisV]

Looks great! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

You are sure going to appreciate having that 2 post lift and good lighting.