Hello everyone! my name is Aaron and im from central Kansas. i recently traded an Audi of mine for a few other cars that an older gentleman had sitting around his property. among those are a 80 Datsun 280ZX, 80 450SL, 92 Subaru SVX, an 80 el-camino, and a poor beloved 74 914 with widebody fenders that had been sitting in the weeds for nearly a decade ... it just amazes me that someone can purchase these cars only to have it sit in the weather. i have decided to take this little jem on as a project car, and sell the rest.
the interior is (use to be) burgundy, a color i dont think ive seen in a 914. after a brief look-over the car, it seems fairly rustless for being outside so long, however the floor board near the peddles has a couple holes in it, the interior needs nearly 100% replacing (gauges, lower dash, steering wheel seem fine) the engine is siezed but the clutch still engages and disengages the gearbox. no telling how bad the fuel tank or suspension bushings are just yet. i have yet to pick up the cars.
so here are a couple of questions:
1. my biggest concern is the floorboard - is there a replacement piece i can buy, or just go at it with sheetmetal? id like to keep it looking as original as possible (i think an engman kit would be nice aswell)
2. how can you tell the difference between a 1.7, 1.8 or 2.0?
3. is it worth the work?? (my vote is hell yes)
thanks for reading guys, thoughts, comments and concerns are welcome
Welcome Aaron! Great find. You can get floor pans at:
http://www.restoration-design.com
You will probably need more stuff, and they have pretty much every panel available outside of NOS.
If the engine is stock it will be a 1.8 or 2.0 for the year 1974... if it still has fuel injection post a pic of it from the top and we can tell you which one it is...
As far as it being "worth the work", the amount of rust is usually the deciding factor. Post pics of the underside and engine bay. Are those flares fiberglass or metal?
FYI lots of people (like me) are transplanting SVX engines into 914s. You can offer it for sale here if you don't want it. Does the SVX run BTW?
Those rims are awesome. Never seen 5 lug "fans" before . The exhaust appears to be a Bursch Sport. VERY loud but cool.
Bottom line is we need more pics...lots more...
Your statement, "it seems fairly rustless for being outside so long, however the floor board near the peddles has a couple holes in it" scares me the most. Here's hoping it's not indicative of more serious issues elsewhere.
Those flares look extra large to me. I wonder if they're fiberglass? 5-lug conversion done on it too. Considering the interior, you can make it "look original" there, but elsewhere it would be cost-prohibitive IMO unless you start with a better candidate.
In the end, only you can answer the question, "is it worth it?" I hope you find that the rust isn't terrible and you say "yes!" to restoring it to a fun driver. The more of these rescued the better, and I like idea of having a blank slate with a car that's already "non-original" ... as in wide-body, 5-lug wheels, perhaps redone interior ... make it your own!
Yes, replacement panels are available from various sources.
If unmolested, the engine size can be determined by looking at the number of intake manifold studs per side; 4 studs 1.7 and 1.8, and 3 for 2.0.
Plenty of great information on this site, learn to search and you'll overwhelmed with good tips and knowledge.
I'd also suggest meeting up with someone who really knows these cars, at least to inspect the typical rust areas before deciding how much "work" you're able to do.
Mike
they are indeed fiberglass, however the lower strip (black) needs to be molded to fit the panels.
as for the rust.. its only rained about twice in kansas in the past 3 years, and i have no fear of doing some panel work. it will be a first for me, but i look forward to it.
HA i didnt notice the 5 lug swap.. i guess that means at some point someone knew what they were doing. ebay has new carpets and even seat sets for what i consider reasonable
the SVX runs, but smokes (burning oil (valve guides??)) and the transmission is out, so its mainly good for parts. i will sell it for REALLY cheap.
thanks for the fast replies! it gives me hope that i can take on this project. btw im no noob to porsche, ive had a couple 944's, my daily driver is an Audi A6 and my toy is a 79 Alfa romeo Alfetta sport sedan.
what is the crazy red car in the pic, behind the SVX
Looks like an old electric car from the '70's...
The MOST valuable pieces of the SVX are the drive train, so I would probably scrap that one...leather interior is somewhat desirable. svxworldforums.com if you want to post it there or part it out.
the red door stop is a CitiCar electric vehicle. 3 or 4 hp and 50+ miles per charge.
agreed. the SVX is a parter
My dad had one of those electric cars, I sold it on ebay 3 years ago for 4 thousand dollars. Sell the 914 and restore the 280zx it will be worth more in the future..
Don't discount that electric car, if it has a title it can be worth some good money!
Good luck
Aaron
What shape is the Yellow 1966 Dodge Dart in? I cut my teeth on driving one of those bad bastards slant 6 and 3 on the tree!! We used to be able to hide a 12 pack inside the air vents back in the day
you will depart with all your extra time and $$ to get an under-appreciated, under-valued fun mobile
OF COURSE it is worth it
The world is your oyster
Enjoy the next few years. The team on this site is extraordinarily ejudicated.
Dave
Good choice. Looks like a cool project. You'll have way more fun in the 914 then any of those other cars.
Cool vintage Western Turbines! I wonder if the car has wheel adaptors or a true 5 lug conversion...
so i got the opportunity to take a "few" pictures of the major rust areas.. i cant believe how clean this car is!
in front of the left rear tire... damn thats clean! (well.. not rusty)
engine compartment
dirty, but its just a bunch of dust
front latch sill area
front trunk pan
p.s. thats not me haah
Do It...Do It...
My guess is a Chevy bolt pattern with wheel adapters...
Looks like a good project.
those aren't the rust area's
you need to pull the rocker covers.
I'm betting anything that the jack points are completely gone from the looks of it...
those are 1.7 heat exchangers so most likely thats what your motor is.
weird that its got a real sway if its a 72 though...... could of been added. although the brackets look like they could be factory. What year is it according to the vin?
that rear valance is really trick.... nicely flared.
vin on the sticker says 73, vin on the windshield A-pillar says 70. hmmm title says 73 though.. ill pull the rockers tomorrow, how do i do it?
as for wheel adapters. i will pull a wheel tomorrow and check it out.
You need to have a BBQ and invite all the locals. I assume we have some folks in your neck of the woods. Nothing like a team to pull a car apart and determine all the weak areas
And welcome to the club.
anyone from kansas???
broken trans mount..
is this a "side shift" transmission?? ive seen the term, but not sure if its special.
I don't want to be a party pooper but that car is rusty as hell. Look at the thread on my car that Scotty B just finished up. I'm not saying your car can't be fixed up; however, you need to go into this with realistic expectations.
sorry. shift linkage
Wow, nice rear sway bar you got there.
Good luck and have fun with the project. It'll look great once it's done. And I'm sure you'll have a blast driving it. Nothing else gives you that intense visceral experience like a 914.
Dino
and if thats the case.... might aswell just make it an SVX powered track car?
Yes, the 1975 (and 76) cars had the awful roundy-round exhaust. The 1974 1.8s had the same exchangers as the 1.7s did. The muffler was a bit different, at least than the 70-72 mufflers, but the exchangers were the same.
--DD
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