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Fender flare grafting: Part 4 converting a 1972 Porsche 914 to a 914/6 GT

In Part 1 of this a 1972 Porsche 914 restoration/conversion of fender flares 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 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.

 

When we left off in Part 3,  the new GT fender flares were set in body lines, and now we will show you the final steps to graft them into the Porsche 914.  The hardest part is already done, double checking the fender flare shapes are in car line before we cut away the excess metal.  Next, they can be TIG welded to the Porsche body.  So after marking and trimming the panel to body, we use a ‘traditional’ method, the butt weld joint, also used by Porsche themselves.  Any panels that are overlapped, welded, then body filler laid over the surface to hide the method of joining, will bite you a couple of years after the car is painted and signs of bubbling are showing through the paint surface.

 

Follow the pictures and explanations of the process to conclude grafting in our Porsche 914 GT  fender flare.

Restoration photos of the fender flares metal finishing

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Nicely pressed rear fender flare tacked into position without really any defining.  Great product from Restoration Design.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

TIG weld one inch, let cool, continue to weld…..

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Overview of the metal finishing process.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

A close up view of the metal finishing  using hand tools and a file.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Picking up the lows and press marks.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Smooth.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Close up you can just see the weld line in the color change of the metal.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Showing the the two directions of my file pattern.

 Completed fender flares conversion photos

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Here is the finished article, now ready for high build primer.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

Looking down the body showing the arch is in car line.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

A side view of the Porsche 914.

 

Fender Flares Grafting: Porsche 911 Restoration at The Metal Surgeon

One final look to round out this segment.  Three more fender flares to go!

 

In Part 1 of this a 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 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.

There will be more info on this Porsche 914 fender flares restoration as it moves toward paint and getting the engine upgrades!  Check back or join our mailing list for updates!