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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Is it just me or are 914's prone to front end damage(Crash Thread)
Posted by: Strudelwagon Apr 10 2011, 08:53 PM
Ok, I've looked at a pile of 914 pictures since I contracted this disease. Pictures from restorations, racing, shows.
Is it just me or are these cars involved in an unusual amount of front end collisions? 
When I bought mine, it had been involve in one and I discovered that the front calipers where frozen. I assume this was the cause and maybe some bad driving.
Posted by: Lou W Apr 10 2011, 09:40 PM
You'd probably find that most collisions are front end related.
Posted by: silver74insocal Apr 10 2011, 10:18 PM
what would you expect with this wonderful braking system 
flame suit activate!!!
Posted by: kg6dxn Apr 10 2011, 10:58 PM
We should make this the wrecked 914 thread...
Posted by: Strudelwagon Apr 10 2011, 11:03 PM
OK
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Apr 10 2011, 11:13 PM
Take a good look at the "crumple zones". Makes the 914 very survivable in a front on crash.
Posted by: messix Apr 10 2011, 11:53 PM
OK
the orange car has a cage,i don't thionjk the out come would have been the same with out it.
Posted by: silver74insocal Apr 10 2011, 11:57 PM
ankles meet forehead..how u doin?
Posted by: Andyrew Apr 10 2011, 11:57 PM
Wow I havent seen the orange car pictures.. Who's car is that?
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Apr 11 2011, 12:08 AM
Roll cages are dangerous for the street. They are good if the car rolls over. Not so great in a collision. Every time some metal on the car bends in a crash, it absorbs energy. The only thing a roll cage absorbs is maybe your mellon. 
Posted by: Jeffs9146 Apr 11 2011, 12:42 AM
Been there done that!!
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Posted by: hot_shoe914 Apr 11 2011, 05:43 AM
Yup, been there and done that also.
Posted by: FourBlades Apr 11 2011, 06:46 AM
What speed of a crash does it take to totally flatten the front end like some of those pictures?
I wonder how many of those cars were rusted in the longs before they were wrecked.
John
Posted by: SUNAB914 Apr 11 2011, 06:56 AM
I was doing 30 + after braking when I t boned a station wagon that pulled across in front of me. I was young, no seat belt, walked away from it. Although I bit the steering wheel and put my bottom teeth through my lip. That spare tire will absorb alot impact! Bought the car back from insurance and pulled the rebuilt motor out.
It was a rust bucket.
Posted by: poorsche914 Apr 11 2011, 08:06 AM
Let my girlfriend drive my 914 a couple miles to the store. She was looking for a cassette tape (this was in the '80s) and rear-ended the car in front of her 
Posted by: Strudelwagon Apr 11 2011, 08:49 AM
Let my girlfriend drive my 914 a couple miles to the store. She was looking for a cassette tape (this was in the '80s) and rear-ended the car in front of her
a few more
Posted by: smontanaro Apr 11 2011, 10:59 AM
Take a good look at the "crumple zones". Makes the 914 very survivable in a front on crash.
Except nowadays doesn't a 914 just slide right under most SUVs (which seem to be about all that's on the road)?
S
Posted by: smontanaro Apr 11 2011, 11:10 AM
Sorry, got a database error message and blindly reloaded the page. Looks like it failed after posting the reply.
Posted by: bigkensteele Apr 11 2011, 09:34 PM
Yup, been there and done that also.
Crank that down on Rick's Cellette and he will fix it right up for you in no time!
Posted by: iamchappy Apr 11 2011, 09:39 PM
After seeing this thread, i dont think i want to take my car out of the garage ever again....
Posted by: Lou W Apr 11 2011, 09:56 PM
Patrick Motorsports Built Car, this car was absolutley beautiful. 
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Posted by: moparrob Apr 11 2011, 10:16 PM
wow, that brings back really bad memories. I did the same exact damage to my '71 914 in 1979. Plowed it into the back of a 1973 Mercury Marquis Brougham which decided to stop at a yellow light that I was going to go through. Guess who lost that battle...
Funny thing was that at the time it cost a whopping $1,300.00 to fix. Then again, I think I paid $3,000 for the entire car or so...
Posted by: Gustl Apr 11 2011, 10:18 PM
Wow I havent seen the orange car pictures.. Who's car is that?
that's my friend's car ... from Bavaria
IIRC the accident was back in June 2002
Posted by: rick 918-S Apr 11 2011, 10:22 PM
This car is on the mend
Lots of repair photos here: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=104128&st=0
Posted by: Jeffs9146 Apr 11 2011, 10:22 PM
I was going about 40 and the drunk driver was going about 45 or 50! I ended up in the livingroom of a house!
I broke my neck, nose, jaw and lower back! I only remember the flash of his head lights and waking up in the hospital!
My friend had over 250 stiches but didn't break anything!
The full sized spare tire saved our lives!!
Posted by: Strudelwagon Apr 12 2011, 07:07 AM
I was going about 40 and the drunk driver was going about 45 or 50! I ended up in the livingroom of a house!
I broke my neck, nose, jaw and lower back! I only remember the flash of his head lights and waking up in the hospital!
My friend had over 250 stiches but didn't break anything!
The full sized spare tire saved our lives!!
Good to know the leading cause of 914 death is still "RUST"
Posted by: euro911 Apr 12 2011, 09:04 AM
Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Apr 12 2011, 09:42 AM
Never the car, always the driver.
The Cap'n
Posted by: Tom_T Apr 12 2011, 04:06 PM
After seeing this thread, i dont think i want to take my car out of the garage ever again....
Too bad that won't always help Chappy, as I unfortunately know all too well!
After doing a $6500 rolling resto & drivetrain overhaul in 80-83, a ditzy sorority gal whacked my 73 2L from behind & pushed it 2' forward into the concrete whall/column while parked in a parking structure at UCAL while I was in my MBA grad school classes all day there. I even parked it off to the side of the aisle at the lower end to avoid somebody losing control coming down the ramp, & closer to the columns on the L side to protect against door dings - but this ditz said she "...forgot to turn left & go up the ramp..." - her words!
The pix below show that the front end damage isn't so bad as these above, but in combination with the rear end damage it was a $6400 bill back in May 85.
At least she left a note & then I got to fight with her Daddy's insurance company for a month & half with them trying to low ball me. I collected eventually, got the 85 BMW 325e that I still have as my DD with the check, & the 914 sat in my garage for 26+ years waiting for me to get time & money at the same time to do a repair/resto, now that both kids are grown & gone it's in slow progress.
... and then she's grown rust rot over the years sitting too!
Posted by: jt914-6 Apr 12 2011, 04:24 PM
A couple more of Shoe's LE....taken on 4/12/11 at auction...the auctioneer called it a wad of metal...it's auction number was.....13!!!! The only injury in the head on colision was a broked collar bone from the seat belt....
Posted by: jmill Apr 12 2011, 07:19 PM
You'd probably find that most collisions are front end related.
Mine then and now.
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Posted by: Strudelwagon Apr 12 2011, 09:35 PM
You'd probably find that most collisions are front end related.
Mine then and now.
Oh Ya, this is me before, middle, after
PO mounted a Honda accord. Nuked the hood, ft bulkhead and light boxes
Objects may be larger than they appear!
Posted by: Strudelwagon Jun 2 2011, 10:11 PM
Another one bites the dust
Posted by: dion9146 Jun 3 2011, 05:37 AM
I was going to drive mine to a client meeting today, but now it's staying in the garage until I can get these pics out of my head! 
Dion
Posted by: dion9146 Jun 3 2011, 05:38 AM
I was going to drive mine to a client meeting today, but now it's staying in the garage until I can get these pics out of my head!
Dion
Posted by: J P Stein Jun 3 2011, 08:56 AM
From my experience driving my ex-914 to work (rarely) and my Mr.2.
People don't see you.
OR
They do see you and decide you're the one they are going to cut in front of to get into the lane you are in.....and then, of course, hit the brakes.
There is an art to driving a small car in traffic..... a larger car /truck also, but the small car makes it more perilous. You have 2 choices:
1) Let them run into you.....but don't rear end em'.
2) Yield. You can add the single finger salute (which is now against the law in many states) but be prepared to back it up. I reserve that for the cut-in-brakers.
I'm getting old and am gonna get my ass kicked one of these days.....but it wouldn't be the first time.
So, yes, 914s & 914 drivers are susceptible to front end damage. 
Posted by: JmuRiz Jun 3 2011, 09:15 AM
I was going about 40 and the drunk driver was going about 45 or 50! I ended up in the livingroom of a house!
I broke my neck, nose, jaw and lower back! I only remember the flash of his head lights and waking up in the hospital!
My friend had over 250 stiches but didn't break anything!
The full sized spare tire saved our lives!!
That's a reason I'm not keen on doing front oil-coolers on mine....I guess if I did I'd have to beef up the front-end to compensate for the removed 'inner bumper' that is the spare.
Posted by: Strudelwagon Jun 19 2011, 10:01 AM
I think the heading read "I submarined a Tahoe today"
Posted by: Cairo94507 Jun 19 2011, 11:14 AM
Man after viewing that thread and seeing those pictures it has me wondering if I should add some kind of bracing into the build when I do it just in case some asshat hits it.
I guess I am not that worried about trunk space, it is not like it is going to be my DD so the front and rear trunks do not necessarily need to handle suit cases. I just wonder about putting in an extremely low-profile (as invisible as possible) roll bar with side door bracing? I don't know, maybe low-profile and roll bar don't belong in the same sentence?
Posted by: smontanaro Jun 19 2011, 06:00 PM
Man after viewing that thread and seeing those pictures it has me wondering if I should add some kind of bracing into the build when I do it just in case some asshat hits it.
I don't think that would help as much as you might expect. First, if you stiffen the front structure, more of the energy of a crash will be transferred to the cabin instead of being absorbed by the front end. Second, I suspect the biggest problem with a 914 in a front-end crash is that it's so low it would tend to slide under most cars, especially with the large numbers of SUVs out there today (probably different than 20-30 years ago).
Skip
Posted by: banksyinoz Jun 20 2011, 12:23 AM
i might weld my jack stands to my car for good
dont think i could cope with the loss
Posted by: FourBlades Jun 20 2011, 06:49 AM
Just need to install some air bags that open on the outside of the car.
That way you can protect your paint in a collision.
Hmm, thats not such a bad idea.
John
Posted by: Strudelwagon Jun 28 2011, 02:41 PM
That top one would have left some nasty belt burns, eh?
Posted by: rnellums Jul 7 2011, 05:07 PM
Mine Happened just today. I'm still trying not to think about it... fool ran a red light.
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Posted by: rnellums Jul 7 2011, 05:10 PM
more
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Posted by: rnellums Jul 7 2011, 05:11 PM
the day I bought it in 2003
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Posted by: SirAndy Jul 7 2011, 05:17 PM
Posted by: jsayre914 Jul 7 2011, 05:26 PM
I assume you were wearing your seatbelt. That is tragic. But someone was looking out for you, were you hurt???
Posted by: rnellums Jul 7 2011, 05:32 PM
Yeah, I was wearing my seatbelt, and no one was hurt but for a few sore muscles. The passenger compartment was actually pretty much untouched. Time to start looking for rollers!
Posted by: rnellums Jul 7 2011, 05:33 PM
Yeah, I was wearing my seatbelt, and no one was hurt but for a few sore muscles. The passenger compartment was actually pretty much untouched. Time to start looking for rollers!
Posted by: John Jentz Jul 7 2011, 05:36 PM
Ouch! 
Posted by: Strudelwagon Jul 7 2011, 05:59 PM
more
That is freaking tragic man...she was a sweet car!
Posted by: avidfanjpl Jul 7 2011, 05:59 PM
It has been on my mind for over 2 years now that NO ONE really sees my car when in traffic.
I drive ALWAYS with all lights on, and still, I have been cut off at least 1 time each time I drove my car in 2009-2011.
I think it is good that I have a car that I don't need to drive, unless it is late and there is no one on the Toll Road.
And with my AX car done in a matter of weeks, I just think I need an SUV. My next move may be a used SUV.
I will start an OT thread and get votes on what to get.
Trailering is definitely in my future for at least the AX car.
John
Posted by: carr914 Jul 7 2011, 07:54 PM
Posted by: SirAndy Jul 7 2011, 08:02 PM
The rear section of the limo started out as a frontal crashed car: 
Cutting off the front end: 
All welded together: 
Posted by: Andyrew Jul 7 2011, 10:28 PM
Mine Happened just today. I'm still trying not to think about it... fool ran a red light.
Wow, Thats a major bummer! Just think of the next one the insurance will buy you. Maybe they'll give you enough to buy EEEEliots!
Posted by: rnellums Jul 8 2011, 06:33 AM
The rear section of the limo started out as a frontal crashed car:
Cutting off the front end:
All welded together:
So you are saying I should build a 914 limo too????
do I have to worry about copyright or trademark infringement?
Posted by: brant Jul 8 2011, 06:40 AM
Andy,
was the orange shell Jenny's old car?
I actually helped strip Jenny's car once upon a time at Brad's shop space in the SSI building.
Posted by: dlestep Jul 8 2011, 07:20 AM
...in '91 I just moved to Florida. I was driving my white '73 914 on a side street in Ft. Lauderdale on my way to work. I was driving the speed limit (35mph) in the right lane, and approaching an intersection when a really old lady driving a huge '71 Cadillac simply pulled right out in front of me (about three car lengths away). I immediately down-shifted to second and accelerated around her and out of the choas across the intersection at about 45+...
I watched through my rearview mirror when everyone behind her slammed their brakes on...about 50 yards past the intersection was a motorcycle cop hiding behind a tree and his dumb assistant who jumped out in front of me in my lane with his arms in the air. I hit the brakes and downshifted into second at the same time bringing my car to a stop only inches from his legs in about four or five car lengths from 45 miles and hour. I immediately got out of the car and yelled at his stupidity. If it wasn't for my refreshed 4-wheel disc brakes, I would have ran that dumb fuck over. If I had not changed course from behind the old bitch when I did, my '73 would have ended there with front and rear damage.
When I went to court, I told the judge that I drive on that street everyday and know of that speed trap and the only recourse I had was to protect myself. I mentioned that the officers making up the speed trap should stay out of the roadway and not place themselves in harms way. Also the location and time of the speed trap did not make any sense, because traffic in the morning keeps the speed down and the location was set at the slowest section. I reinterated that the speed trap does more harm than good in that location and a series of events, out of my control, could have ended badly for all concerned, if it wasn't for my quick actions and full control of my vehicle. I was amazed when he agreed, and let me go.
Posted by: SirAndy Jul 8 2011, 12:17 PM
I actually helped strip Jenny's car once upon a time at Brad's shop space in the SSI building.
No. The orange car was Patrick Pickerell's car. His son wrecked it while he was on vacation.
Posted by: euro911 Jul 10 2011, 12:47 PM
Good for you.I know that a well thought out and delivered argument does have the possibility of swaying a judge's ruling (done it twice). However, being that we're in 2011, it's more about the courts imposing fines to keep the city's coffers full and may not be as easy to get the charge(s) dropped.
Posted by: euro911 Jul 10 2011, 02:52 PM
Posted by: bare 1 Jul 10 2011, 03:44 PM
Drivin a teener ,in my humble opinion, is about------DRIVING----- !dlestep has it. Being aware and havin the appropreate response to the situation Not that that happens all the time. I had a similar experience in a Triumph Gt6 I was test driving once. Narrow city side street, stereotypical thing you hear about, some little kid dashed in front of me from between 2 parked cars. I jerked the wheel and went around him as he stopped in the street. Scared us both and the lot jockey with me . Then I got to the stop sign at the corner and hit the brakes, a bit shaken. As the brake peddle dropped to the floor, well that was over 40 years ago and it still freaks me out to think what may have happened. As a side note, my son had a deer go OVER his GT6 a few years back .
And there were people in those "wads of metal"!!
Posted by: Strudelwagon Jul 14 2012, 10:59 AM
For the collection
Posted by: poorsche914 Jul 14 2012, 11:22 AM
This happened last month... driving a back road when I rounded a corner and there was a car stopped to make a left turn Luckily I was not driving too fast as I had a computer in the passenger seat I didn't want to be sliding around. Hit the brakes and ended up hitting the stopped car at less than 5mph. No damage to the Taurus. Bent hood on my 914.
Anyone have a white hood in decent shape?
Posted by: Randal Jul 14 2012, 12:45 PM
From my experience driving my ex-914 to work (rarely) and my Mr.2.
People don't see you.
OR
They do see you and decide you're the one they are going to cut in front of to get into the lane you are in.....and then, of course, hit the brakes.
There is an art to driving a small car in traffic..... a larger car /truck also, but the small car makes it more perilous. You have 2 choices:
1) Let them run into you.....but don't rear end em'.
2) Yield. You can add the single finger salute (which is now against the law in many states) but be prepared to back it up. I reserve that for the cut-in-brakers.
I'm getting old and am gonna get my ass kicked one of these days.....but it wouldn't be the first time.
So, yes, 914s & 914 drivers are susceptible to front end damage.
+1
I had a Lotus Elan S4 in England and was always having to repair the front end (fiberglass) due to drivers cutting in and braking or just braking in stupid places, where you would least expect it.
Posted by: rnellums Jul 14 2012, 12:48 PM
Bummer man.
Posted by: Lennies914 Jul 14 2012, 02:40 PM
This just happened 1 hour ago.
Stopped at an intersection on my way home from the TRG event in Petaluma. The truck ahead of me decided that he was too far into the intersection and backed right into me. Claimed he couldn't see me. That was obvious 
Need a LOUDER horn I guess.
Posted by: jsconst Jul 14 2012, 03:07 PM
This just happened 1 hour ago.
Stopped at an intersection on my way home from the TRG event in Petaluma. The truck ahead of me decided that he was too far into the intersection and backed right into me. Claimed he couldn't see me. That was obvious
Need a LOUDER horn I guess.
That sucks, is it just the hood or worse? I think your right small car needs BIG horn.
Jeff
Posted by: euro911 Jul 15 2012, 11:16 AM
Even extremely loud air horns aren't enough sometimes
... and hope the idiots have insurance or man-up for the repairs.
Posted by: Jeffs9146 Jul 15 2012, 11:29 AM
This just happened 1 hour ago.
Stopped at an intersection on my way home from the TRG event in Petaluma. The truck ahead of me decided that he was too far into the intersection and backed right into me. Claimed he couldn't see me. That was obvious
Need a LOUDER horn I guess.
Posted by: Porsche930dude Jul 15 2012, 05:10 PM
yep mine had a new driver side front headlight bucket and half the fender welded in. and that must have been within the first ten years of its life because it hasnt seen the road since then
Posted by: grantsfo Jul 16 2012, 04:16 PM
I have put close to 300K miles on several 914's never did anything to front end. Was rear ended and one time my wife backed into the side of pristine 36K original mile car - thats what started my race car build!
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