Anybody know of a good online guide to restoration?

[9fourteen]

One of these days I am going to start digging into the chassis of my 914 and getting rid of all the rust. But, I have never done such a project and I'm not sure where to start. I know I am in way over my head, but that is where I like to be. What I am looking for is a good, free, online guide to autobody/metalworking so I can read up on how to approach this. Anybody got any good links?

Thanks,

Don

[4WheelDrifter]

I can't help you with an online resto link but while you are looking, find a good welder for sheetmetal and practice, practice, practice! Not on the car though!

[Bleyseng]

PM here or at the 914club site John Kelly who does have a site and will be selling a CD on how to.
Get all your metal pieces and panels before you start! That usually is the hold up on these projects as the parts aren't always available when you finally decide you need them.
They are made in batches.
Hook up with another local guy who has done some off this because its really hard to learn over the net.

Geoff

[Alfred1]

The Eastwood Company has lots of books and videos on welding and
body repair .

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Lawrence "Rusty" Bonkoski took classes at his local community college/vo-tech school. He was able to learn to weld, do body work, and paint through them.

It will probably take you a lot less practice time going this route than reading about it and then trying to do it.

--DD

[Alfred1]

I agree that vocational school training is a good idea but practice on your buddy's car before doing your teener. I took a one-year long automotive repair course years back and I still have my textbooks and reference materials from then so I'm confident in doing most mechanical repairs but the course only included two weeks of welding training so I'm going to leave it to the pros to do my rust repair.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That's why you take more training in auto body specific stuff... Gives you more practice time.

--DD

[Alfred1]

I still wouldn't be able to do the rust repair as well as a competent body shop with all the equipment and years of experience that they have. Plus, with the motor already out of my car (and the fact that I already have most of the repair panels needed for the repair), paying someone to do it right won't break the bank.

[SGomes]

...and that is my question. Does anyone have ballpark figures on what the cost of the labor might be?