Just found this site today, new member Options

[mel reckling]

It was as 'polar opposite' as it could have gotten, the difference between what it took to bring the 914 up to standards compared to the BMW. Because the impact standards for 1972 were so low(no big bumpers) it took about 10 minutes to do all the work on the Porsche. We had the 635's bumpers off, had to put steel beams in the doors and such a series of complications it was hardly worth it. That process took us a year. Didn't help that the guy who's shop it was in had someone break in only to be mauled by his German Shepard guard dog and ultimately got sued by the thief and lost. Sometimes there's no justice whatsoever.

If he'd only had a 'guard sheep' it may have turned out like this. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif)

[mel reckling]

Took some shots last night, but it may take some time to download them they are so huge. I have Windows 98 and the downsize links I found here requires a newer OS.

[mel reckling]

Good, it's working. As part of the process of bringing it up to U.S. code they required an ID plate on the pillar. The one here we stamped out on some piece of tin, (not original).

[mel reckling]

[mel reckling]

too bad it was dark in the garage

[mel reckling]

hinge area is in good shape

[mel reckling]

cloth seats

[rick 918-S]

Nice score! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) Yellow is faster (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[mel reckling]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[mel reckling]

You really are making it hard for me to forget about this car for another 25 years.

[KaptKaos]

Wow! Very nice.

[dlo914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Nice car! Did all /6 come w/ a combination Temp & Fuel gauge?

Oh yeah! For picture resizing you can just use-

Microsoft's Paint:

1. Open the program or view a picture with MS Paint.
2. Hold and type Ctrl+W
3. Now in the percentage boxes enter how ever size you want to resize the pictures. (i.e. half, 50% both Horizontal & Vertical)

[mel reckling]

Not sure if they all had the same, but don't believe this was anything but stock.

I was able to downsize to 35% on the image hoopiejoob from original 1100k shots in the mailbox. That seemed to work. They still are pretty grainy quality, but hey it was dark.

[John]

So your 72 has a movable passenger seat and a 4-cyl style steering column.

I thought they did.

[mel reckling]

So your 72 has a movable passenger seat and a 4-cyl style steering column.

I thought they did.

I've got a stack of Panoramas from the early 80s, I'll try to look through them to see if they say anything about it. Again, this car should be about as close to original as can be. The number I got on the production run from the mags was 246 72s originally built, enough to qualify to run in production class. From articles from various other mags writing about them, the numbers have varied widely to a low of 50.

[mel reckling]

Beautiful cars, Mel.
I went through the one-time exemption, gray-market process in 85 with an e21 BMW. I REALLY wanted a 3.0 CS but they were all dust and bondo and when I left Germany I had this 320 with a straight 6 engine that just sang on the autobahn, so I brought it home. As I recall, it was pretty complicated....
My Mom had a Z-car of about that vintage as well
Anyway, it is time to

start
that
car.


and
WELCOME TO THE 914WORLD!!

Yes, the complications start from the very beginning. The ship sets sail and stops all over the place before it even starts across the ocean. When it gets near it starts hopping down the east coast from Canada. You do get to choose where you want it dropped with undesirable choices from Boston, NYC, Newark and the like. I opted for Baltimore and am glad that was a choice just for getting in and out of.

When you get to the first office you have to go to you are given the distinct impression these people have never done this before and are totally clueless. From there you bring everything they gave you only to find when you reach the port, the pink piece of paper should have been a blue piece of paper. Round and round, all over the port you go, quite comical dodging the activities of a busy port.

Then, everything is in the original language so noone has any idea what things you need. You wind up having to hire a certified translator and spend money on every single word finding out half of the stuff you didn't need.

Luckily, the 1972 didn't require any modifications to pass. They only wanted side marker lights, which we stuck on, took pics of then took off. The list was short and painless. I'd never do it again on something like the 79 BMW.

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

Mel,
Nice, rare 914. Remember, it's original only once.

Is that a Sonauto dealer emblem on the tail? If it is, I'd keep it on there to tout the cars' provenance (although others would say a dealer insignia shouldn't be on the car).

You got a very desirable car there, I'm sure we all will be following your progress with it on this Forum. Good to have you aboard.

Paul

[mel reckling]

Mel,
Nice, rare 914. Remember, it's original only once.

Is that a Sonauto dealer emblem on the tail? If it is, I'd keep it on there to tout the cars' provenance (although others would say a dealer insignia shouldn't be on the car).

You got a very desirable car there, I'm sure we all will be following your progress with it on this Forum. Good to have you aboard.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. Yes it is a Sonauto emblem, just went out and checked. Where are they located and you mean that adds to the nostalgia? Sorry, I am unfamiliar with
the name, but that's not saying much.

Are you the person mentioned who is compiling an Ohio list? I'll have to try to find this guy I used to work with back in the 80s. He was a formula VEE racer and had a 70 914-4 with only 14,000 miles on it. His name is still in the phone book, but would really have to be getting up in age.

[mel reckling]

Mel,
Nice, rare 914. Remember, it's original only once.

Is that a Sonauto dealer emblem on the tail? If it is, I'd keep it on there to tout the cars' provenance (although others would say a dealer insignia shouldn't be on the car).

You got a very desirable car there, I'm sure we all will be following your progress with it on this Forum. Good to have you aboard.

Paul

So is it safe to assume the LeMans 77 sticker on the window also adds to the provenance? Almost scraped it off 25 years ago and was going to remove the Sonauto emblem too. Glad it didn't happen. During my time in the car biz I always hated dealers who'd drill holes for an 'ego massage'.

[davep]

We know of 1972 914/6 going up to VIN 0260.
Sonauto was the French importer and was involved in racing. The Sonauto 914/6 GT finished sixth overall at LeMans in 1970. I'd keep those stickers. At one time they were eyesores, but now I'd say that in your particular case id does add provenance.

BTW, I do have an incomplete list of members that I can sort by state. I just pass that info along to anyone compiling a state registry.