TheSamba.com :: View topic - 914 restoration

Fri May 02, 2008 6:37 pm

i've restored an 80 vw westy and a 68 vw single cab. i'm looking for a new project. i've lost a ton of $$$ on these projects but it keeps me sane. i like the look and history of the 914 and it seems that project-status cars are around for a decent price. does my previously-dented wallet prepare me for what's ahead if i go this route, or are we talking a completely different ball game?

i "restore" vehicles to make them safe and fun and usable, not showroom or anything like that.

what should a guy look for in a project car?

Fri May 02, 2008 7:11 pm

buy the car with the least rust as most are rusty. floorboards are pretty easy to fix but if its in the passenger suspension rockers and battery tray its tough to do.

Fri May 02, 2008 8:31 pm

Basilbomb wrote: i've restored an 80 vw westy and a 68 vw single cab. i'm looking for a new project. i've lost a ton of $$$ on these projects but it keeps me sane. i like the look and history of the 914 and it seems that project-status cars are around for a decent price. does my previously-dented wallet prepare me for what's ahead if i go this route, or are we talking a completely different ball game?

i "restore" vehicles to make them safe and fun and usable, not showroom or anything like that.

what should a guy look for in a project car?

Where could I find the history on the 914?

Fri May 02, 2008 10:23 pm

wikipedia has a very detailed history.

what are parts costs compared to vws? are there many aftermarket parts suppliers available?

Sun May 04, 2008 10:27 am

Check in with these guys before you do anything on your own.
http://www.914world.com/
They have all of the info that you'll ever need and most likely a connection for a good project car as well.

I've owned five 914's and they are VERY different from everything else made by VW and Porsche, kind of more like the Fiat X19 really. They're prone to rust in the most crucial areas. Rot out in other seemingly impossible spots, and somehow resist rust in the front suspension mounting points where the similarly sprung Super Beetle always goes bad.

Go figure . . .

Wonderful and weird and like nothing else around. Under priced and under appreciated, you can still find supreme bargains almost everywhere. TONS of replacement parts and tech support so you never find yourself lost. BUT, those parts carry the Porches part prefix so be prepared for some sticker shock every once in a while. LOTS of VW parts, electric especially can be substituted, and of course the late model Type II engines are a bolt in.

Be prepared! For both more fun than you can imagine in an old sportscar AND some of the cost and trouble to make it right, should you buy a bad example.

Luck!

TC

Mon May 05, 2008 4:20 pm

Rust is the killer.