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Custom rocker panel fabrication: Part 6 Converting a 1972 Porsche 914 to a 914-6 GT

This is Part 6 of a series on the Porsche Restoration: conversion of a 914 to a 916-6 GT Porsche. In Part 1 of this 1972 Porsche 914 restoration/conversion to a 914/6 GT race car, we show the car after media blasting and outlined all the work that we will be completing. Part 2 covers the Porsche restoration starting with the rear quarter replacement and alignment.  Part 3 explained how the original fenders were removed and the new flared fenders were set in line.  Part 4 shows the final steps in grafting in the rear fenders.  Part 5 explains how the front fenders were grafted in.

This post looks at the rocker panel transformation from a steel non 914-6 GT rocker into a custom rocker panel .

A fiberglass 914-6 GT rocker panel is on the market, but no one makes a steel version.  Since this Porsche is all steel, it makes sense to continue that theme by making these custom rocker panels.  It is really a matter of fabricating something that looks good and works with all the shapes of the car.  These custom rocker ends are built with two locating bolts to make the panel a solid feature, along with the factory bolts running along the longitudinal.  We think the rocker panels maintain the factory look, with the jacking points still in place.

There is still some internal custom work to follow, since we have the oil cooler lines running internally through the inside of the passenger rocker panel, along with a new oil cooler under the hood.

Porsche Restoration: Rocker panel before conversion

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

How the regular 914 rocker panel starts out.  Flat from end to end, as it was made for a non GT model.

 

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

Here shows the rocker panel next to the new flared wheel arch, where shape needs to be added.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

Another shot of the original rockers on the 914.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

And one without the rocker panels on.

Porsche Restoration: Final photos of custom made 914-6 GT rocker panels to match flared fenders

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

End tip of the rocker panel,  now with added shape.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

A shot of the front tip of the custom rocker panel.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

Shape transformation.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

Profile lines.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

A shot looking down the body.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

An overview of the Porsche with the custom rocker panel.

Porsche Restoration: 911 to 914/6 GT with Custom Rockers at The Metal Surgeon

One last shot of the curved tip of the rocker and the new flared fender.

This is Part 6 of a series on the Porsche Restoration: conversion of a 914 to a 916-6 GT Porsche. In Part 1 of this 1972 Porsche 914 restoration/conversion to a 914/6 GT race car, we show the car after media blasting and outlined all the work that we will be completing. Part 2 covers the porsche restoration starting with the rear quarter replacement and alignment.  Part 3 explained how the original fenders were removed and the new flared fenders were set in line.  Part 4 shows the final steps in grafting in the rear fenders.  Part 5 explains how the front fenders were grafted in.