Well, I started on this path a long time ago. Back in 2011, I pick up a Celette bench on Craigslist. I rented fixtures a few times, but along the way Celette moved everything to a newer setup/system and trashed the old fixtures.

Last year I was able to get the new style adapters but would still need to rent fixtures. So it was nice to have the capability, but rental fees meant that expediency was critical. For a project like SirAndy's 914-6 there will be a lot of measuring, checking, cutting, welding, etc. That translates to a lot of time on the bench, and the less I feel the need to rush, the better. When straightening a chassis, it's critical that you have a plan and make pulls and adjustments in the correct order.

Restoration Design just started carrying their own set of fixtures that are compatible with what I have now. They had the early 911 fixtures, but thankfully they jumped on the 914 next. So I just placed my order for these. Now I'll have everything in house to put cars up on fixtures for straightening, major rust repair, and/or cage work. This is a huge development for Original Customs.

I've always done rust repair, but this is the first time that I'll start offering a 'chassis restoration service' for both individuals and other shops. So anyone, anywhere can ship their chassis here and get back a solid and straight body, ready to build on. I'll also be on the lookout for suitable cars to straighten/repair and sell ready to run, 'off the shelf'.

I can't wait to get started, then add early 911 and 356 fixtures...

Nice Mark, our community has needed this service for a long time.

Excellent, I may be in need before TOO long...

Mark-

Congrats..
I hope you have a large shop. I see lots of opportunities coming your way.


Oscar

BTW Mark, Thats awesome!

I think the 914 community might underestimate the cost of "chassis restoration". Like getting a car painted, it's easier to justify the cost on a $100-250K car but it's a much larger percentage of a 914.

But I think the service is needed as less and less shops do this kind of work.

I almost wet myself with Andy's reply. I can totally relate.

And then there’s the check writing!

Absolutely. It won't be cheap, but if you're embarking on a full restoration (or hiring out a full restoration) this is a significant opportunity. EVERYTHING else on the project can be swapped out as needed (engine, transmission, suspension, etc) -- but if you have a crooked chassis you're piling good parts onto a bad skeleton. Once you get a chassis painted, the opportunity to fix the body is gone....

Awesome, Mark!

--DD

Genau. Precisely.

Yes. I am sure that with such an important job, the hours would simply stack up. But, for that quality of customer, you can’t push the limits too far. Unless this should somehow come back around to bite me somehow...

Also, good for everyone that you have them.

I agree, many restoration customers have no clue what it takes to bring a decades old car back to square one, not even getting into paint or mechanical. I know guys who can't understand why it took $30,000 to put floors in their car, except the restorer explains that his only other option was to weld the floors to the dash, because that was the first piece of solid metal he found.

I think I may know a guy or two that can help you find some cars to fix and sell.

I was thinking the same thing.

Very exciting development Mark. To be able to start with a tub that is definitely straight would be a huge advantage. Plus if the owner can show documentation that a chassis has been checked on a Celette bench it should be worth more $ like a 996 with the IMS bearing fix done. No brainer for anyone who is about to drop serious $$$$$ on paint and body work.

My solution is much more crude.

I found an old Blackhawk bench, which has the same 100 mm bolt spacing and was supposed to be compatible with the older (now NLA) Celette fixtures. Then I found out they got trashed.

Highly likely my set up will be for sale very soon. We’re going to downsize and I want to get away from projects that need a frame bench. I’ll just send them to OC!

I’d be very curious to know if the adapters and new fixtures would line up on a Blackhawk.

Another pic of my crude ity

Congratulations! McMark is the right guy now with the right equipment! Makes me wish I lived in Michigan....

there is a source for the blackhawk 911 fixtures, he lists them on ebay every so often..

So the services you are talking about, would one of them be checking/verifying a chassis after the longs had been repaired and the paint stripped? Or is this only for post-accident straightening?

Tempted to strip my tub and send it for repairs.

What a terrific service to have available from a well-respected and knowledgable 914 technician. Kudos to McMark for acquiring that equipment.

This setup allows any chassis in any condition or state of repair to be evaluated, as well as repaired. Even a fully painted chassis could be checked to confirm how straight it is.

I already built door jigs.
Click to view attachment

And I'll need to build a windshield jig.
Click to view attachment

Between the Celette, those jigs, and the factory chassis measurements I'll be able to confidently evaluate the TRUE condition of any and all 914 bodies.

Then I start moving towards early 911 and 356 bodies.

I can handle transport of any chassis that rolls. And I offer a shipping reimbursement program.

Or just move to Michigan. It's fantastic here...

Hi Mark,


Do you have any plans on renting out the front window and door jigs?

Yeah, that's certainly a possibility.

How stripped does a chassis need to be for a basic check? Would it be feasible to drive a car in and get a check? I could see Michigan becoming a road trip destination or stop over.

You need to remove suspension. That’s what most of the measurements are based on. Usually the engine comes out.

Brent, yours probably won't fit the bench! As much welding as you've done on that car it has probably shrunk to a 3/4 scale 914 now.

Yeah, instead of a 914 it's a 685.5

But that's all by design. I want to be able to use those "compact car only" spaces when I'm done.

It's that last part I was wondering about. Pulling the suspension isn't the worst job but if the engine and tranny have to be dropped as well, it starts to become a real job.

remember this guy ?? I think he sold it all to a 914 specialist in germany.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=1393641

That was awesome for sure. Soooooo much time to build something like that..

Mark I applaud you for doing this.. Its allot of work and hope it pays off for you.

I think your new problem will be finding the time to do all these BIW commissions. You will need to give up the oil change and valve adjustment work!

To a customer a 'new' straight tub roller in primer will have a fixed value, regardless of the amount of time/materials it takes to get to that point. Unless they bring you their tub with sentimental value and an open check book to do whatever it takes. Look at the huge time/cost Michaels' /6 has required. Are you planning to do full metal prep before paint?

This frame fixture ended up in Holland. I think it’s in Arnos hands. I believe he’s willing to sell it as well.

Pete

He said he cut it all up...

its on his homepage

www.914parts.eu

Must had been another guy that I remember.

They're HERE!!!



I have to finish up a 2.3 engine I'm building next week, but you can be sure I'll be playing with these after hours. Already have my Aubergine car up on the bench, so I'm gonna check that first.

Beeyooteeful!

Nice going Mark and Andy! Thanks for getting the hard work getting these to the market Peter!

pretty bad ass Mark!

Say... didn’t you run off and join the circus?

Man, that sure was a long time ago!!

12 years later, I've been missing my 914 fix. I've been touring with concerts and other shows pretty much constantly since then. I need to plan for the future. Getting Eric to build me a car is part of that plan! =)