Starting a 1971 IMSA 914 Restoration, A privateer run 914 with Sebring and Daytona history Options

[FourBlades]

I am finally starting on the build thread for the IMSA 914. This is a 1971 914-4
that was bought in 1975 or 6 as a used car and turned into an IMSA GTU car.
It is a well crafted but not big budget car with a lot of clever touches that helped
it to beat a lot of more famous and undoubtedly better financed teams.

My wife and I plan to restore the car to racing condition and then enjoy the
heck out of it without abusing it any further (its clearly had a hard life).

Our priorities are (1) make it safe and legal for current vintage rules (2) keep
it original as practical (3) keep it period correct, in that order. We also want to
avoid over restoring it too much, but it is easy to understand the temptation
to cad plate, power coat, and perfectly repaint everything. I think this last issue
will be the biggest, other than going broke or insane first (either one would
be a short trip at this point).

I plan to post way too many photos, the best quality I can, until people flame
me big time to stop. I also expect you, yes YOU!, to help me figure out what
to do and give me ideas and comments. I may not always do everything people
want, but I will consider all ideas. I'm really just a novice restorer and I know
I can't do this without your help.

OK, so screw the BS, lets see some pictures. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Competing at Sebring as a 4-cylinder (changed to a six soon after).



T.C., who found the car in a barn, passes it on to me (what luck!).



I had to turn to a close friend for the financing, but it worked out.



Huge ATL 500A fuel cell. The hood just closes over this.



TC, URY914, SMG914, and I working on my Explorer flat six conversion.



Fiberglass flares and paintwork need a little bit of work.



Wife: Are you sure we are buying the right car? Why don't we just buy this one
from T.C., it actually has an engine inside the car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)



I have started to dissassemble the car so it can be soda blasted and I have tons
of pictures to post.

So what do you all think?

John

[slow914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif)

Post all the pictures you would like and, If you'd like to share ALLL of them without being to crazy just put them all in a indexed online album anyone can look at like on photobucket

Oh and GODSPEED good sir

[championgt1]

Cool project. Post lots of pics! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[Todd Enlund]

This is gonna be awesome... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[PeeGreen 914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[PanelBilly]

THe whole over restoration thing is a difficult one. Your already soda blasting and that's the beginning of the cycle. I'm assuming you've already determined that the car needs significant work, so why not aim high and bring it back to the condition is was when it started its racing life. If you want to drive, I think that you should buy a driver. If you get a car to restore, it should be done with the most perfection you can manage.

Just my 2cents. Then again, I can walk right past a race car, but a restored car will stop me in my tracks.

[carr914]

Encouragement is right here across the State. Advise is Free.

T.C.

[FourBlades]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

Billy: I think what I am trying to avoid is making it more perfect than it ever was
during its racing career. The two guys who ran the car built it to be a practical
racer and never a show car wth perfect paint, etc. I am sure when I get done
it will be better than it ever was when it was a race car, its just a question of how
much better. A lot of the fabrication has a quick and dirty look to it. It has a lot
of surface rust that needs to go so there is no question of saving the original paint.

John

[carr914]

John, I told you I would dig up a picture of a Mazda RX-7 Cooler I had in 914 racecar. Also there is one on eBay from AutoAtlanta right now sitting at $25 with the reserve not met.

T.C.

[sixnotfour]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.

Billy: I think what I am trying to avoid is making it more perfect than it ever was
during its racing career. The two guys who ran the car built it to be a practical
racer and never a show car wth perfect paint, etc. I am sure when I get done
it will be better than it ever was when it was a race car, its just a question of how
much better. A lot of the fabrication has a quick and dirty look to it. It has a lot
of surface rust that needs to go so there is no question of saving the original paint.

John

I think the term is sympathetic restoration.
Keep up the photo's

[Eric_Shea]

Did you take detailed photos of the graphics? Do you care?

That's the only thing I'd add... Godspeed.

[JmuRiz]

Cool, and take/post all the pictures you want, the more the better.

Best of luck on the project!

[sixnotfour]

I did a car with hand painted graphics and used trace paper , then the sign painter redid em exact.

[turboman808]

That's an awesome project (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[Aaron Cox]

That will be a sick project!

[ericread]

So... Where the hell are the pictures (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)


Just kidding. We can't wait to see your progress (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[FourBlades]

I did a car with hand painted graphics and used trace paper , then the sign painter redid em exact.

I was planning to get good photos of all the graphics, but full size tracing sounds
like a good idea as well. T.C. located the jewelry store in Miami that was once
the sponsor, but they seem to be out of business now. Maybe if we can dig up
the address, some World member in Miami can swing by and see what they can
find out???

John

[carr914]

The Sponsor was Le Trianon Jewelry Corp - 3807 NW 7th Street, Miami, FL - Owner, Alfred Curi. It was near the Airport & Flagler Dog Track

T.C.

John, Did you get ahold of Manual Cueto Jr.?

[FourBlades]

No, T.C., I have not done that yet. I have worked every day since I picked up
the car from you. The big crunch should end in 10 more days or so. Then I plan
to take off a few weeks and make some progress.

Here are some more pictures. I got a lot of great advice on taking pictures from
people, not all of which I have been able to implement yet, but most of these are
ok. First thing I did was to take apart the fuel system.



Here is an oil filter that was loose inside the car. Is this company still around?
It looks like a stainless screen filter, do people use these on the 914-6s still?



Notice the dual fuel pumps, filters, and relays. These connect to a fuel pressure
regulator and then to the normal fuel line in the tunnel. Don't know if the plastic
lines are in there still.



This is the custom made oil tank. You can see the fuel pressure regulator, which
is bolted to its side. It has a range of 1-6 pounds so the car had to be running
carbs. Geez, I sound like I actually know something about 914s, ha!



I know just enough now to realize how much I have to learn.

John

[carr914]

John, That Par filter was actually in-line for the tranny cooler at the rear of the car. The lines were all brittle and when I was stripping the trunk I took that filter off.



The best I could tell the car was running a Twin-Plug motor due to the twin ignition boxes & Coils that are attached to the firewall where the passenger seat would be. I'm sure they were running carbs.



T.C.