Hey everyone! i'm getting a 76' 914 2.0 back that i bought 9 years ago, the back story to this 914 is it grew up in the California desert for all of its life until someone in San Fran bought it from the original owner and then had the whole engine rebuilt and then person lost interest in it. I was able to buy it for $3000 back in 08' car had almost no rust and the typical gear grinds( could be avoided by double clutching). I drive it around for a few months until i gave it to my dad for a Christmas, he's the one that introduced me to the 914 world. He had one when he was in the navy and sold it when i was born so i figured i could pay it forward. I was moving around constantly for work and didn't have the time for it.
The car got picked from my house in California in 08/09 and made the journey on a trailer to salty jersey. My dad had plans to full restore this 914 and thats where it ended, the plans never came to light. After moving around the country I forgot about the 914 and life overwhelmed my dad with my mom getting cancer and the house needing repair, the porsche was forgotten. I'm back in NJ with a huge garage and figured id go visit the parents house to pick up some things, when i saw the 914 under a car cover , tires half flat, and looked like the engine lid was slightly opened. When i peeled back the car cover, jerseys rust had started to take over and the air cleaner was off leaving the throttle body wide open to elements.
Heres the problems I've discovered just from my visual inspection:
1) rust in-between the taillights more on the passenger side, probably about 4" wide. Doesn't go through the whole panel.
2) rear trunk lid rusted
3) passenger side fender starting to rust(about the size of a silver dollar)
4) corrosion near windshield on passenger side lower portion( will need to remove windshield to see how far it went.)
5) it looks like he cracked the windows and never rolled the up all the way so water got into the interior, no rust on the floor boards just mold and musty.
6) air box cover was left off for years allowing water to enter. I'm hoping it turns over
7) sail top vinyl needs to be replaced
I will be documenting this restore as much as i can. Its sad because this car had no rust when i bought it.
Any tips on where to start first?
If anyone in south jersey knows of any parts or wants to lend a helping hand please let me know!!!