By Steve Martin. Republished with permission from the Summer 2016 issue of Fourteener Motoring Magazine.

How do you keep your restoration moving?

Perhaps the biggest problem in completing the restoration of a Porsche 914 isn’t rust, finding parts, or even money. It is our own limitations. And while the work can be hard, and there is a lot to learn, the thing that often slows a build down is . . . life.

If your like most Porsche enthusiasts, engaged in some form of restoration on your car, the project probably lives in a state somewhere between procrastination and the hectic realities of your life. In the Porsche circles, it has become known as “Jackstand Syndrome.” This disease results from two primary culprits. First, these projects seem to creep in surprising directions, sometimes related, but often unrelated the initially planned task. Second, life gets in the way.

To help combat “Jackstand Syndrome,” we have prepared a list of causes to be avoided. Enjoy, and good luck.

  • Rust
  • Finding parts
  • The pursuit of perfection
  • Doing tasks half-ass
  • Having to redo tasks (see 4 above)
  • Injuries
  • Working when tired or mad (see 4 above)
  • Shortage of finances (see 4 above)
  • Failure to work on another task while waiting for parts for the first task
  • Spouses, kids, & pets
  • Holidays
  • TV
  • Work space
  • Job
  • Racing
  • Football and other sports
  • Other vehicles & projects
  • Cold & heat
  • Rain & sunshine
  • Rust