Hell Hole Resto

[Philw]

I thought I might give an update of progress on my '74 red 2:0 litre. She has been off the road for about 9 years.... Initially "just" to do a 4 to 5 stud swap... but in the way of these things I started to investigate a small area of scab about the size of a 50p piece under the battery tray....

Roll on a while and I had exposed the usual bad rot in the "hell hole". Unfortunately the intervening years were not very productive as having 3 small kids, a busy job and moving house to a "project" kept me away from the 914. I managed to finish the swap to 5 stud and got the drivetrain out so the welding would be easier. After one false start I was starting to despair of finding someone who could take on the job for a sensible budget. Then time and chance combined to offer a solution. We had finished the extenson at the "project" and the decorating required was well under way so thoughts of getting the 914 sorted started to come back to me. I was at a bbq at some school friends of my son and was introduced to the father of one of the families also there and inevitably talk turned to cars, it transpired he was a serious "petrolhead" and when I mentioned my welding he told me of someone he knew who worked out of a workshop he shared locally. So I contacted Deano and he came to look at the 914, and liking him and his approach we agreed he would take on the project. He quickly uncovered the last parts of the problem areas, I ordered the replacement panels (see other posts)! and off he went!

I attach a link to some pictures showing the before and the almost after.... I haven't got pictures of the latest stage where the wing is back on and the welding finished and treated. Just paint to go for the rear o/s wing where it had to be cut off to allow access, the new door pillar, sill and door area; and we think we have found someone to do it.

I can heartily reccomend Deano and if you need any welding from roll cages to full on jobs such as my 914 just pm me and I'll pass on his contact deatails. I am really impressed with the finish on my 914, he has an uncompromising style and has sought to get the look even for fabricated areas as near to "factory" as possible. More pictures to follow.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53566641@N ... 967291179/

[914 KEV]

Great to see another 914, soon to be back on the road.

Your photos have helped me with how a restorer would approach the problem of repairing this area.

I have found it difficult to find someone willing to do major body restoration work on my 914's over the years.

I'm still looking for someone willing to weld this lot into one of my 2.0 litres

[defianty]

Nice work, and as Kev say good to hear of another getting back on the road.

[gridgway]

I'm still looking for someone willing to weld this lot into one of my 2.0 litres

I know a very very good fabricator in Woking who could be interested if you are proper stuck. Unfortunately, he is winding down his work these days. It's a shame proper craftsmen don't go on for ever.

Let me know if you think it might be of use and I'll ask him.

Graham

[Philw]

I have now picked up my 914 from Deano, all the welding finished including returning the wing to it's rightful place, and the rear quarter, door pillar and door have been re-painted to blend with the rest. I am so pleased with the job. It is fantastic to have a solid 914 back in my life. Now to embark upon the reassembly, target to get back on the road is Spring next year.....
Some more pictures attached:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53566641@N ... 967291179/

[914 KEV]

Thanks for the link to the detailed photos.

PM sent.