need your wisdom, pre purchase advice Options

[fadedbluejeans59]

Great forum ladies and gentlemen! I'm looking at a '70 914 and upon initial inspection it looked like a real project car. I owned a '69 912 several years ago, and a couple of VW's. here's my question: I assume that most 914's have some rust, but other than obvious body damage, what should I look for before I purchase this car, and what would be considered big red flags? this car started right up, however was not drivable due to bad breaks, interior was gutted, seller was asking $1500, Sorry I don't have any pictures. any advice is greatly appreciated
Jim

[r_towle]

Rust is the major deal breaker with these cars.
If you have the ability to weld and fix the rust issues properly, then you can buy a car that most will run away from.

Given that statement, look all over the car.
Ask the owner to remove the outer rocker covers so you can see the outer longitudinal. (the long)
Look underneath the car at the bottom of the long right behind the passenger seat, that is where the battery sits and drips acid on the long to make it rust pretty bad.
Look at that same area under the battery in the lowest corner, under the computer...get a mirror and good light so see the extent of damage.

look in the lower rear trunk to see if that piece is rusted through.
Look up inside the rear wheel well towards the door handle to see how bad that rust is...the door handle area specifically.

Front trunk, look at the rubber seal, that is typically a problem.
Front floor under the pedal cluster will rust from master cylinder leaking.

Overall look at the floors, but focus on the rear section behind the seats.

That should give you enough to figure out if you are the right person to buy the car.

Rich

[fadedbluejeans59]

Rust is the major deal breaker with these cars.
If you have the ability to weld and fix the rust issues properly, then you can buy a car that most will run away from.

Given that statement, look all over the car.
Ask the owner to remove the outer rocker covers so you can see the outer longitudinal. (the long)
Look underneath the car at the bottom of the long right behind the passenger seat, that is where the battery sits and drips acid on the long to make it rust pretty bad.
Look at that same area under the battery in the lowest corner, under the computer...get a mirror and good light so see the extent of damage.

look in the lower rear trunk to see if that piece is rusted through.
Look up inside the rear wheel well towards the door handle to see how bad that rust is...the door handle area specifically.

Front trunk, look at the rubber seal, that is typically a problem.
Front floor under the pedal cluster will rust from master cylinder leaking.

Overall look at the floors, but focus on the rear section behind the seats.

That should give you enough to figure out if you are the right person to buy the car.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for the input, with that being said. assuming that nothing is rusted through (I didn't notice any this severe) can rust be removed with inhibitors and a wire bush on a power tool? Thanks again

[swl]

Rust is the major deal breaker with these cars.
If you have the ability to weld and fix the rust issues properly, then you can buy a car that most will run away from.

Given that statement, look all over the car.
Ask the owner to remove the outer rocker covers so you can see the outer longitudinal. (the long)
Look underneath the car at the bottom of the long right behind the passenger seat, that is where the battery sits and drips acid on the long to make it rust pretty bad.
Look at that same area under the battery in the lowest corner, under the computer...get a mirror and good light so see the extent of damage.

look in the lower rear trunk to see if that piece is rusted through.
Look up inside the rear wheel well towards the door handle to see how bad that rust is...the door handle area specifically.

Front trunk, look at the rubber seal, that is typically a problem.
Front floor under the pedal cluster will rust from master cylinder leaking.

Overall look at the floors, but focus on the rear section behind the seats.

That should give you enough to figure out if you are the right person to buy the car.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for the input, with that being said. assuming that nothing is rusted through (I didn't notice any this severe) can rust be removed with inhibitors and a wire bush on a power tool? Thanks again

If you just find surface rust you are golden. Wirebrush, Metal Ready, POR 15 if it is a hidden surface. It is the deep body rust that will turn it from a summer project to a life long project. Rich's list is complete - if you don't find anything there you have yourself a project. The only think I would add is to check the interior side of the longs where they join the floors. Any sign of rust there likely means that it is coming through from the back side - may be worse than it looks.

[fadedbluejeans59]

thanks again.

[r_towle]

Rust is the major deal breaker with these cars.
If you have the ability to weld and fix the rust issues properly, then you can buy a car that most will run away from.

Given that statement, look all over the car.
Ask the owner to remove the outer rocker covers so you can see the outer longitudinal. (the long)
Look underneath the car at the bottom of the long right behind the passenger seat, that is where the battery sits and drips acid on the long to make it rust pretty bad.
Look at that same area under the battery in the lowest corner, under the computer...get a mirror and good light so see the extent of damage.

look in the lower rear trunk to see if that piece is rusted through.
Look up inside the rear wheel well towards the door handle to see how bad that rust is...the door handle area specifically.

Front trunk, look at the rubber seal, that is typically a problem.
Front floor under the pedal cluster will rust from master cylinder leaking.

Overall look at the floors, but focus on the rear section behind the seats.

That should give you enough to figure out if you are the right person to buy the car.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for the input, with that being said. assuming that nothing is rusted through (I didn't notice any this severe) can rust be removed with inhibitors and a wire bush on a power tool? Thanks again

Dont take this the wrong way. I want to see you enjoy a car with no suprises.
Based upon your last question I would assume that welding is not your strong suit.

Get someone who KNOWS these cars to look at it with you.
He/She wont try to buy it out from under you, he will be there to protect your interests and find the rust.

I have never seen a 914 without rust...not one for sale cheap.

Rich

[ericread]

Rust is the major deal breaker with these cars.
If you have the ability to weld and fix the rust issues properly, then you can buy a car that most will run away from.

Given that statement, look all over the car.
Ask the owner to remove the outer rocker covers so you can see the outer longitudinal. (the long)
Look underneath the car at the bottom of the long right behind the passenger seat, that is where the battery sits and drips acid on the long to make it rust pretty bad.
Look at that same area under the battery in the lowest corner, under the computer...get a mirror and good light so see the extent of damage.

look in the lower rear trunk to see if that piece is rusted through.
Look up inside the rear wheel well towards the door handle to see how bad that rust is...the door handle area specifically.

Front trunk, look at the rubber seal, that is typically a problem.
Front floor under the pedal cluster will rust from master cylinder leaking.

Overall look at the floors, but focus on the rear section behind the seats.

That should give you enough to figure out if you are the right person to buy the car.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for the input, with that being said. assuming that nothing is rusted through (I didn't notice any this severe) can rust be removed with inhibitors and a wire bush on a power tool? Thanks again

Dont take this the wrong way. I want to see you enjoy a car with no suprises.
Based upon your last question I would assume that welding is not your strong suit.

Get someone who KNOWS these cars to look at it with you.
He/She wont try to buy it out from under you, he will be there to protect your interests and find the rust.

I have never seen a 914 without rust...not one for sale cheap.

Rich

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

A 914 without any rust whatsoever is probably a 914 with the rust hidden. I would rather know where the rust is than to later find rust that has been hidden. Makes you wonder about the integrity of the seller.

Eric Read

[fadedbluejeans59]

Rust is the major deal breaker with these cars.
If you have the ability to weld and fix the rust issues properly, then you can buy a car that most will run away from.

Given that statement, look all over the car.
Ask the owner to remove the outer rocker covers so you can see the outer longitudinal. (the long)
Look underneath the car at the bottom of the long right behind the passenger seat, that is where the battery sits and drips acid on the long to make it rust pretty bad.
Look at that same area under the battery in the lowest corner, under the computer...get a mirror and good light so see the extent of damage.

look in the lower rear trunk to see if that piece is rusted through.
Look up inside the rear wheel well towards the door handle to see how bad that rust is...the door handle area specifically.

Front trunk, look at the rubber seal, that is typically a problem.
Front floor under the pedal cluster will rust from master cylinder leaking.

Overall look at the floors, but focus on the rear section behind the seats.

That should give you enough to figure out if you are the right person to buy the car.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for the input, with that being said. assuming that nothing is rusted through (I didn't notice any this severe) can rust be removed with inhibitors and a wire bush on a power tool? Thanks again

Dont take this the wrong way. I want to see you enjoy a car with no suprises.
Based upon your last question I would assume that welding is not your strong suit.

Get someone who KNOWS these cars to look at it with you.
He/She wont try to buy it out from under you, he will be there to protect your interests and find the rust.

I have never seen a 914 without rust...not one for sale cheap.

Rich

Rich,
Thanks for your help, you're right I don't weld, problem is I don't know any 914 owners around here that could take a look with me. I'm starting to wonder if this is a really good deal or if I should keep looking...

[r_towle]

Not sure, but put a thread up here asking for a PPI in Fresno.
Loads of CA people around here.

Rich

[fadedbluejeans59]

Not sure, but put a thread up here asking for a PPI in Fresno.
Loads of CA people around here.

Rich

Hey uys thanks for all the help, I did find someone ( or rather he found me) and a good inspection has been made thanks for all the input, and thanks especially to Mark for taking a look for me...

[dw914er]

right on


good luck on your 914 endeavor