Questions about Restoration Practices
 

I would like to see if anyone can give me some input or insight on this situation.

This weekend, I am going to look at a ’74 2.0 that was restored by those guys in Atlanta in 1992. For the sake of this discussion (and to avoid any potential slander accusations), let’s refer to them as just AA.

Does anyone have any experiences with vehicles that they have restored? Do they do things correctly? Or, have they been known to take shortcuts?

In short, what should I look out for?

TIA

The typical answer with the Unnamed Shop In The Southeast is "It Depends". Some people have been really really happy with the results, and I've heard others that were very unhappy indeed.

PK has been around here recently, perhaps he can chime in with his tale of a "rust free southern 914".

Some of their E-bay ads have been mind-boggling; "Over $10,000 in interior restoration alone!!" where the center console is obviously messed up in the photos provided and so on...

I would advise you to take nothing on faith. This is generally true for any potential 914 purchase, though. Check for rust in all the usual locations yourself, and check very thoroughly. I've heard tales of 914s that some Previous Owner (not the shop in question) has done wizardry with fiberglass and Bondo, leaving a pristine-looking car with serious structural problems. (Even a 2x4 inside the passenger-side longitudinal in one case!!!)

If the owner gets nervous about you wanting to open up the rocker covers, check behind the backpad, and so on, then be prepared to walk away. Or at most, offer him a price that takes into account the likelihood of lots of welding work in those areas.

--DD

I have never bought a car from these guys.
My other dealings with them have left me convinced that buying a whole car from aa would be on my all time 10 worst ideas list.
.....some where between doing your own vasectomy with a cresent wrench and getting a hair cut with a flame thrower.
:eek:

Paul..... Is this Jim Hoffmans car from CVR ??