New to me 74 914 2.0 - need help with a plan

[justjoel]

Ok. I have always loved 914s but I've never driven one or owned one. I was looking for a project and figured a 914 would be great. Plan is an "inexpensive" weekend cruiser - think cars & coffee, weekend drives, back and forth to work etc. I found a project on marketplace and picked it up over the weekend.

1974 914 with a 2.0 motor. It is mostly complete but looks like someone removed the gas tank and a few other items. Slathered some bondo on it in a few areas and gave up. The hell hole is rotten pretty bad. The suspension console is rotten and the passenger side wheel has a camber from it sagging.

My problem, I guess, is that a previous owner along the way booger welded in a 1" X 1" x style frame under the floor boards from each jacking point. I would assume to stiffen up the frame. It's not helping the suspension console though. Has anyone seen something like this before? Additionally looks like a previous owner tried to drive over a parking curb or something and bent the motor mount attachment points.

From my research it looks like I can get most of the passenger side sheet metal, just not the suspension mounting point. Can anyone offer some advice on how to proceed. I get that this thing is pretty messed up but I'm not looking for perfect. Just safe on the road. No stranger to cutting, grinding and welding so I'm not scared. Just need a plan of attack. Any information or insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

That is a whole lot of work to take on. Depending on where you live, you may come out ahead just buying a 914 with less rot.

At a minimum, you will want to make some jigs to locate all of the parts in the correct location. Which is likely, in at least some cases, to not be where those parts currently are.

You've got a lot of old sub-par work to undo, or cut out and remove, before you can start actually welding in new metal. I mean, really a lot!

Measure everything. Compare to measurements found in the factory manuals. (I don't think they are copied in the Haynes manual, unfortunately, but you can find PDFs of the factory manuals if you search.) On the 914world website, the "914 info" section has a couple of diagrams with measurements listed, which should help at least some.

Best of luck if you do decide to try saving it.

--DD

[Magyar Kiwi]

Hi
Looks to be beyond economic repair.
Suggest you open both doors, take the Targa roof off and jump up and down on the seats, then see if the doors still close correctly?
If not. it is definitely a parts car.
Cheers

[Cairo94507]

I agree 100% with Dave and Magyar. My first thought when I saw the pictures was find a donor chassis and swap parts over- assuming the rest of the car you have is worth swapping over. Sadly, when rust is that severe and pervasive, it makes no economic sense to restore that chassis.

Now, if you are just looking for a project to occupy your time and build your skills, learn to weld, etc., then by all means, you have the right candidate. Sorry for the blunt opinion, but I believe it is best to address the pain straight on. Cheers, Michael

[justjoel]

After a few months of work and a bunch of parts and welding I have successfully repaired the majority of the damage. I replaced the longitudinal, suspension mounting point and hell hole area rot, I also installed and welded in Outer Longitudinal Chassis Stiffening Kit from *********** - The passenger door gap is perfect now.
I have rebuilt the brakes, run all new fuel lines, swapped the fuel injection for dual carbs -- The D-Jet would not run right even after all new injectors, I could not find a reasonably price MPS that would hold vacuum so I gave up and carb swapped it (different fuel pump, same dist.).

I probably should have waited and found a better condition 914 but spending $10k on a toy didn't make sense to me. Besides it's the journey, right?

Now I'm facing some engine issues which I posted about in a different thread... Should have posted it here.

Anyway here are some progress pictures.
What are your thoughts on painting it Porsche Mint Green? A coworker had some free paint that one of his buddies were going to paint their 944... I sprayed an extra engine cover with it and I'm liking it.... what are ya'lls thoughts?

[OttoB]

The dedication, efforts, time, and overall sacrifices thus far must truly be satisfying in order for you to get upto this point! Congratulations on building your car which, appeared closer to a parts car just a few months ago than a restoration candidate.

Colors on cars are always a very personal choice and, as long as you like it - that’s all that matters. If the paint is available and you dig the sample engine lid - go for it! You’ll never be able to please everyone and besides, it will stand out from the rest of the typical colors (like mine, black), red, white or blue!

[Rodsrsr]

Wow, really great job bringing it back. Looks great!

Colors are highly subjective, and your preferences may change over time. I’d suggest not painting the car a certain color just because you already have the paint. I recently repainted my 914, staying with the same color it had from a full glass out repaint in the early 2000s. If the original color had been an affordable option, I would have kept it.

Mint green is one of those colors that you either love or hate. Personally, I think these cars look best in a period-correct color. It never goes out of style.