Well, she is finally done. After a week or so of putting her back together and wrapping up a few loose ends it is time for some pictures and some final thought on this project. Here are some observations and challenges I encountered during this project for those who might want to do this for the first time themselves:
1.) Find a car that is in really good shape. This one was in relatively good shape, with the exception of the 30 pounds of bondo that covered a rear end collision. See the early photo
2.) Create a budget, and a timeframe, you will go way over it, but do it just for the hell of it, that is what you are supposed to do, right. I projected to have this project done in 18 months. I only missed it by 18 months.
3.) Tell your wife you are divorcing her, then tell her you are restoring a 914, the first statement will then come as a relief.
4.) Don't take shortcuts. I tried using some used parts that were supposed to be good. By the time I made them good, I could have just bought new ones.
5.) If you are going to paint. Have the car blasted down to bare metal, no matter how it looks from the outside. I ended up spending more money on body work I didn't expect than I did on the entire first quote.
6.) Get the engine you want, and make sure it is in good shape, don't take anybody's word for it. Get a leak down test, or don't buy it.
7.) If there is work you do not feel comfortable doing, find the right guy to do no just someone who can do it. I have several people help me with this project, a few of them did the job to get a pay check and it showed. I ended up paying twice and even three times by Joe to get it right.
8.) This board has been envaluable in not only asking questions, but inspiration to keep the project going and not get discouraged. Many people on here have been there and done that before. I only wished I had asked more questions. There are not dumb questions, only dumb people who do not ask them.
9.) I made some good decisions on this project and I made some poor ones. One of the best decisions I made on the recommendation of T.C., was to get Joe O'brien at 914 RS to complete the engine install and finish up all the loose ends. I may not be acomplished enough to complte this job, but I know good work when I see it. Joe can not only do the work, he has a passion for it and that made all the difference. (See #7). The more I have gone over Joe's work after having it back, the more impressed I am. We again did not stay on budget, but Joe's suggestions improved the project and made the end result better. Thanks again Joe.
One final note: Instead of using carbs, or the factory EFI, I did my research and chose the TEC-GT system from Distributorless.com. This unit is fantastic, it eliminates so many problems with the other options. It is somewhat more difficult to tune, but once you are there, you are done. You can have different set ups for street and track. Different track set ups, whatever you want. It is not a cheap system, but I really like it.
Here are the final shots:
Very nice!
Enjoy it! 
