Hello everyone! Today begins my first journey restoring a 1972 914. I have been a fan for a number of years and now get the chance to do this work myself to get an operational and hopefully beautiful car.

So.... where do I begin? Pictures attached of the car in my garage today.

First project is already down which was to disengage the parking brake cable on the driver side rear wheel. It was siezed and we couldn't get the car all the way into the garge until that was done.

My first task tomorrow is to work this gal over with the shop vac and a bucket wash.

Any advice on where to start? Any and all input is appreciated.
Cheers!
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You've come to the right place!! It's all down hill from here. . . good thing too, 'cause these are momentum cars

Looks like your ashtray is missing.

I think the #1 thing to do is to investigate the car thouroughly for rust and rust issues.

Once you know that you can plan the restoration/revitalization projects.

After that, if there is no serious issues, get it running and drive it.

Once you get driving it, things will be clearer as to the path.

Good luck and

Well, you've learned to use one of the most important tools for success in the 914World.....the camera!

Take your resto one project at a time and keep us posted on your progress. There is so much help available here you'll always have solution if you ask. Good luck, and........

No 914 has ever been restored without a nice pair of these:

Welcome indeed.

Let the fun begin

You have come to the right place! There is a wealth of helpful people and information on this site.

Good luck with your project...and keep us posted.

It looks like you have a good starting point for a restoration there.

Jack stands are a prerequisite for 914 ownership!


ps...don't even think about a turbo 914, everyone knows you can't turbocharge a 914!!!

This reminds me of my 1st 914. BTW,I have only done 2 so far so I'm no expert). I looked at it and realized the only thing I could accomplish w/o any Porsche knowledge was to clean it. After a thorough cleaning I had acquired enough confidence to drop the engine and clean it. After that it was one project after another. I think cleaning is a good start. Go with the flow and keep posting.

This is a very good point. It is very easy to jump in and take things apart. Before you do, take a photo of how it goes back together, even simple things can waste a lot of time staring at it trying to remember exactly how it came apart months ago. Then taking it apart again later on when you realize you put it on backwards or something else needs to go on first.

Good luck, keep us informed

This is really the world

The french guy

If you want to vacuum real good, remove the seats. Slide them all the way forward lifting on the adjuster lever in the front, then slide it back 1/2 inch and reach under the seat rail and press up on the spring clip in the track. The seat will then slide all the way forward and out.

p.s. don't mix up driver and passenger, they fit different

pull all carpets from floors and trunks and inspect for rust while you clean.

a lot of armorall and a new dash cap and it would 10 times better.



oh yeah, when you rinse the car with the hose, NEVER shoot water near the top of the windows or the rear of the targa, these cars can leak a lot of water due to old rubber seals. All rubber is available from a member here on this site.


Have Fun

I agree with cleaning. I would pressure wash the underneath before starting.

Rust is one of the biggest problems with this car, if not THE biggest. I would remove the entire interior. Remove the seats, the carpet, the back pad, the center consol, the inner door panels and scrape up all the floor insulation and look for rust. Find the rust. Kill it or remove it. Look at the longitudinal channel directly under the battery. Nasty rust there. Check where the forward end of the rear suspension trailing arms mount to the body for rust and cracks. Check as many electrical connections as you can find for corrosion. Change out ALL the fuel lines. Shouldn't take too long. It only took me 1 1/2 years and I had help! Good luck.
Cheers, Elliot

#1 Tetanus shot
#2 investigate the car thouroughly for rust and rust issues

You are in the right place and you are getting good advice. I would also read some of the thread in the "classic" section and in general lots of reading on just about any thread is good.

Unrelated... Is your forum username from the movie "Big Trouble in Little China"?

Richard

...buy a spare 914 for parts and for a sacrificial Porsche anode for rust

Save your money up for beer and ribs. Hold a party, feed the crew and let them evaluate the car and listen to the comments. Then decide what to do.

Damnit,

Billy's correct again

Start with BEER

Don't listen to all these crazy people, they have intelligence. Just do what I do, get in it and drive the damn thing, that is what it really wants.

Armor-All contains silicone. Not good for the vinyl. There are other non-silicone protectants/shiny-uppers you can buy.

--DD

Welcome!! You appear to have an "excellent start" to developing a very interesting hobby for yourself. If you have all the original items such as air conditioning, etc. keep them and restore to original concept/manufacturing agenda.

Follow all the given given and the future advice that will be given. Everyone on this board will help and it is one of the best assets you can have.

Missing an ashtray? Somewhere in the "collection" of parts I believe I have both the ash tray and the track for it. If you want them and not in any hurrry, I will give them to you.

Again, congratulations and welcome.

Steve Hurt

Thank you Richard, and yes indeed, my username is from Big Trouble in Little China. Best Terrible movie ever made... IMO.
"Like I told my last wife, I says, "Honey, I never drive faster than I can see. Besides that, it's all in the reflexes." "

Thanks Steve. I actually did find the ashtray hiding under the center console. But I greatly appreciate the offer!

Very big THANK YOU to everyone for the great advice, input, offers and welcomes.

With help from my great friend Tim_ND I got the gas tank pulled last night and dropped it off today to get boiled. Good news: No RUST! I will post more pictures in a new thread this evening or tomorrow.

One step closer!

Cheers

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When working on the car you will quickly learn what Lo Pan said so eloquently...

"You were not put on this Earth to 'get it' Mr. Burton"