I am 54 years old, and terminally ill with Pulmonary fibrosis (A very nasty disease). All my life I have wanted a 914, and the opportunity never got there. I am now looking at a small amount of cash, and thinking of building one.
Here is the problems, and some ideas:
1) I am 6'3" and not very mobile anymore
2) I am on oxygen 24/7 and need a place for my oxygen concentrator.
I have thought about the following modifications
1) lengthen the car about 12 inches
2) modify the top so it opens like a "gull wing" when in place
3) raise the top about 3 to 4 inches (as a top structure, not a change to the pillars)
4) create a hydraulic lift that would "ejector style" raise the seat 6-8 inches for entry, and lower into place for driving
5) obviously move the seat back to accommodate a taller driver
By doing these things, I would be able to move the seat back, to accommodate my longer legs, and still keep room for an oxygen concentrator, and a passenger in the car.
It would accommodate my reduced mobility, and still be able to get into and out of the car.
Questions:
In lengthening the car by up to 12 inches, how much weight would be added to support this change? how hard would this be to engineer?
I am not able to do the work myself, what kind of cost do you think would be involved in making these changes? (obviously, speculate with me )
How hard would it be to modify the door to lengthen it by 12 inches (and glass?)
Would it keep the geometry of the car? One of the things I love about the 914 are the simple clean lines
WHAT TO DO then?
rebuild the drivetrain, complete bare metal paint job, premium leather on the seats, with offset color stitching, and matching leather on the dashboard with offset color stitching.
Am I completely nuts, or could this be done with a reasonable amount of money to make a daily driver?