The 914 Rebuild Project

A quick note of appreciation to the following who have offered advice, parts, and most importantly - encouragement! - Jen, my two boys (John and Jeff), Rich Johnson, Perry Kiehl, Ed Villela, Wayne at Pelican Parts, Mark Litherland, Bob Tucker, and just about everyone on the 914 lists!  

Thanks to all of you....  To enlarge the pictures below, just click on them...

Phase 1. - The Destruction

I owned the 914 for about two 2 hours before this happened! Notice the temporary paper plate is still mounted...

My "Rust Free" 914 - had rust - and where else, but the battery area. The PO had used a fiberglass sheet to hide it - he even undercoated it!

And surface rust under those 200 lb. bumpers. Today, these sections have been replaced with new metal.

The right side suspension console before fixing it with 18 gauge metal. Notice the small hole at it's base.

The left front footwell - a gaping hole under some creative bondo - is exposed.

Just before the front suspension gets changed out for the 5-bolt SC front end...
 

Stripped out three weeks later - and all rust is gone! Next step has begun - steel OEM flares, a 3.0 six, etc...

  

 

Phase 2. - The Resurrection

The footwell fixed by custom bending 20 gauge sheet metal and welding it in.

The lockpost after fabricating and welding in a new piece - a 4 hour job just to get the fit "just so"..

The finished lockpost repair - and nope - no bondo - that's only primed metal your looking at after grinding the seam weld flush.

metal.

The chassis reinforcements start to get welded in...

And the trailing arms are boxed...

A stripped left rear fender - ready to be cut out for the first fit of the steel flares....

A stripped left front fender - when these are cut - it really leaves a GAPING hole!

The first flare to be fit....

And about 8 hours later - welded and faired into the body.... Three more to go!

A scratch coat of primer goes on..

And the body begins to resemble a 914 once again.

  

Two part epoxy primer applied - waiting for the first coat of white....
 

Finally, the 3.0 Six (which I "mildly enhanced" :) finds it's permanent home in a newly restored & repainted compartment!

  

And the first coat of white is applied over a tack coat..

  

Two days later - a gleaming, shiny 914/6 conversion ready for the final installation of lights, muffler, rockers - and the DRIVER!
 

In December - I never thought I'd see this sight...

  
     
     

My previous track 911 on NHIS... (Photo by Bob Tucker  - Rennlist, PCA NCR member & great guy!)

A 1970 911T roller which has a *few* added features (and now belongs to Rick Newman - one hell'uva driver!!!) 

- 3.2 liter engine w/ Autothority Mass Flow 
- Autothority custom chips 
- Triad exhaust system 
- 915 transmission with Quaife and 7:31 ring/pinion
- Carrera front oil cooler. 
- Carrera F/R suspension, trailing arms, etc.
- Carrera brakes w/Performance Fiction (90%) pads 
- 19mm Weltmeister adjustable sway bars front and rear 
- Urethane bushings all susp. components 
- Front valance/rear duck tail 
- Short Shift  
- Koni adjustable Sport Shocks (front) 
- Steel SC flares 
- 9x15 and 10x16 Fuchs w/BFG R1s 
- Autopower roll bar 
- TRW/Sabelt cam lock 5 point harnesses 
- Konig racing seats 
- Momo steering wheel/hub 

and more I've forgotten......

... the 911 that gave me the inspiration to take on the 914 rebuild and conversion (again, at NHIS). (Another photo by Bob Tucker)

     
 

My 87 911 Carrera *Before* I bought the Ford Bronco

(Thoughts: ""Whale Tail", "Tray Spoiler", "Xmas Tree Holder" - who cares, look at the generated downforce!")