Porskee's Progress Thread, It's going to be cool... Options

[thomasotten]

I decided to start this thread, as a way of keeping organized, and for those who enjoy seeing projects from start to finish. Also, since I am taking photos of the process, every step of the way, I am sure I can benefit from the advice of those who have gone before. I have a few other prequel-threads, but I think since I am now starting the major body work towards the goal of repainting, I will stick with this thread from here on out.

Before I start posting recent photos, let us cast our minds back to the summer of 1991. This is a photo of the car as it looked then. It was taken shortly after I met my wife, then girlfriend. She calls the car "Porskee", her pet name for it. Notice the "whale tail" on the back. Funny, I used to like that silly whaletail! I have become much more of a purist, lately, but not extremely so. I sold that whale tail to somebody, and he has tried over and over to sell it, but he can't give it away! Also, notice the IMSA air dam on the front - something I liked, yet disliked at the same time. It also has these crappy aftermarket mirrors that would never stay in position. The wheels, were one of the first things I added to the car, a few years earlier. I really wanted Fuchs (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/pray.gif) , but being in High School at the time, I could not afford them. By the time this photo was taken, I had already converted the brown interior to black, and had the engine rebuilt once.

[thomasotten]

This is the car as it looks today, 2005. The American Eagle wheels are replaced with Deep Six Fuchs, the whailtail is gone, and the original fron bumper has been restored, and a ltd. edition front spoiler is present. Although it might not be apparent, the car needs a paint job. The top surfaces are faded badly, and the car has been hit several times, so the paint is blended everywhere, and doesn't match. Not a very good job at blending, and not very good body work was done to the panels. The passenger side door has serious waves in it, and the rear quarter's are bondo-heavy.

[thomasotten]

When I was in 4th and 5th grade I used to draw 914's and 911's all the time. I remember there was a magazine that had a full color spread on the Chalon kit that I used to drool over. But in high school, I think this magazine got me most interested in them again:

[thomasotten]

I am going for a complete restoration, within reasonable means, or course. I would say the thing that holds me back the most is myself: and I am very picky about what I want. Like for instance, Fuchs had to be the non-highly polished ones.

I also plan on painting this car myself, which has been taking a lot of time in practice. Also, I am short on garage space, which is sometimes frustrating.

[thomasotten]

Just a couple of shots to get up-to-date. This is what I did last year on the car:

[thomasotten]

Inner Longitudinal.

[thomasotten]

Thank God, the major rust repairs are done. That whole console removal and replacement was a very hard experience. Mostly because I didn't do it at my house. At that time, I did not have the garage space to do the repair. So I did it at my Mom's house, which meant that I had to haul tools back and forth, and just spend a lot of time away from my family. If I had to do it again, I would have rather put it on jackstands in the front of my house than to have to do it at someone else's house. Those new seals where damn expensive, BTW.

[thomasotten]

New coupler installed....

[thomasotten]

Well, enough of the past. I am now focusing on the body of the car. If I am going to paint this car, one thing that should be done first is replace that cracked windshield.

Note: this is NOT the proper tool to use to remove the molding.

[thomasotten]

Oddly enough, this large putty knife seemed to help alot.

[thomasotten]

Got the windshield out - came out real easy once the chrome was off. There was a lot of rust under there though...

[thomasotten]

holes!

[thomasotten]

Hod to weld up some holes.

[thomasotten]

..

[thomasotten]

POR-15

[thomasotten]

POR-15

[thomasotten]

Now they say the best time to replace the dash-to-windshield bead is when you do the windshield, so I ordered one. I ordered an original, paid close to $100 for it. Guess what they sent me? A repro - notice that it has no metal in it. I won't say who the parts supplier was, but their first initial is A and their last initial is A. Anyway, they refunded me the difference, and the repro seal here is really just fine, although you do have to glue it in.

[thomasotten]

On to the dash...

[thomasotten]

Removed the old "foam" from the dash...

[thomasotten]

rough template...