New to 914 World, not 914s Options

[driftingcloud]

Hi all,

I've lurked here for years, but I finally feel the need to post a formal hello and thank the group for contributing so richly to my 914 education over the years.

I currently own two 914s (both mostly updated in the VIN database).

1. 1976 2.0L, nepal orange, numbers matching CoA car currently undergoing a full bare metal restoration back to factory perfect. Advertised as rust-free (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), not really rust free (gasp!). Lots of minor, time consuming issues, nothing major. There's no such thing as a rust free 914 anyway, right? After a couple of months worth of work, this 914's tub is now perfect, and it's getting ready for paint. My only two significant deviations from stock on this car are going to be the engine and exhaust will be done like a '73, not a '76 (though I have all the emissions stuff), and I'm going to use black aluminum "914" and "2.0L" badges instead of the cheap decals Porsche was using by '76.

2. 1975 1.8L, diamond silver metallic, probably numbers matching (no CoA), truly rust-free (other than a few places of simple surface rust, no perforations) that I bought from the second owner who's had it for the last 30 years (in PA no less!).

It's car number 2 that's got me scratching my head... It's got a rough respray of the original color. I was originally planning on doing a very nice 914/6 conversion (maybe GT) using a rebuilt 2.7L I have. As I've been stripping it down, I'm kind of stunned at the quality of this car. While I would certainly make a high quality conversation (no shortcuts), I've really been wondering if it's worth preserving a late model 1.8L? I know in the not so distant past most would carve it up and hot rod it in a second, but now... I don't know. I'm still thinking.

Here are pictures of both cars as I received them.

[PanelBilly]

I say leav it alone. There's plenty of bastard 914 cars out ther to convert to a hot rod.

[driftingcloud]

Also, here's the current state of the orange '76. I can't wait to see it newly painted!

[Mueller]

Welcome to the World...

Nice couple of 914s you have there...what size are the tires and the size of those Phonedials? Car looks great with the orange and black wheels!

Nice garage door also...didn't think I'd be saying that today!

[driftingcloud]

Thanks!

[driftingcloud]

Welcome to the World...

Nice couple of 914s you have there...what size are the tires and the size of those Phonedials? Car looks great with the orange and black wheels!

Nice garage door also...didn't think I'd be saying that today!

Thanks! I couldn't be happier with my two 914s.

The garage doors and bricks just dress up an otherwise simple metal building. I'd rather put more money in the cars, but I still need them safe (and dry).

The phone dials came with the car, though a lot of people really seem to like them. The offsets were wonky and required some custom milled spacers to work. It wasn't great quality work. The car's going back to four-lug Fuchs with black insets.

I don't honestly remember the tire size, but I'll get back to you on that. The phone dials and tires are for sale! Ha ha...

[driftingcloud]

I say leav it alone. There's plenty of bastard 914 cars out ther to convert to a hot rod.

Thanks, PanelBilly!

[screenguy914]

OTOH, don't confuse bastard 914s and a donor car that can simply be upgraded with "six" components. A big variable with bastard 914s is the structural integrity of the chassis (i.e. rust) and how much work is necessary to bring it up to spec (much less + spec to support a more powerful drivetrain.

MHO,
Sherwood

[driftingcloud]

Agreed. This wouldn't be a crazy build, just a very responsive 2.7L built for pure street pleasure. I couldn't ask for better quality donor (in terms of condition), which ironically is what gives me pause about doing it to this car at all.

OTOH, don't confuse bastard 914s and a donor car that can simply be upgraded with "six" components. A big variable with bastard 914s is the structural integrity of the chassis (i.e. rust) and how much work is necessary to bring it up to spec (much less + spec to support a more powerful drivetrain.

MHO,
Sherwood

[Chris914n6]

All opinion of course...

If the 1.8 has working FI then keep it original, find a fixer upper to put the 6 in and build it as custom as you want.

75-76 isn't as valuable as the others, but in today's market it could very well pay for building the 6.

I also have a 75 in VGC. Came with a carbed 1.8. Putting a 3.0 in was a no brainer, but when I went to cut the fenders for flares I couldn't do. Too much resto peer pressure these days. I might change my mind before it gets fresh paint.

[driftingcloud]

Thanks... Working FI. Amazingly original. It definitely needs an engine rebuild, though. I've never seen an engine leak so much oil, yet still start and run reliably.

While the sell it to fund the 6 theory is great, I'm only good at acquiring nice cars, I'm quite terrible at ever letting them go. I get attached. Besides, the value isn't all that important to me (not meant as unrealistic as that sounds), happiness with the car is more important. Driving a well-sorted 914 is pure pleasure. 1.8L versus a converted 6 is just splitting hairs. Both are glorious.

I guess I was just more curious if the consensus had started shifting towards preservation versus customizing, enjoying, and driving.

All opinion of course...

If the 1.8 has working FI then keep it original, find a fixer upper to put the 6 in and build it as custom as you want.

75-76 isn't as valuable as the others, but in today's market it could very well pay for building the 6.

[Chris914n6]

I guess I was just more curious if the consensus had started shifting towards preservation versus customizing, enjoying, and driving.

Not so much preservation as restoration. I took a unintended decade off from 914s. Feels like a bunch of Porsche purists bought air-cooled 914s because air-cooled 911s got too expensive. A lot more of the build threads are about undoing the custom stuff.

[driftingcloud]

Good point. Maybe that's the energy I'm inadvertently channeling with my hesitation...

[zambezi]

looks like you have a few other projects "shelved".

[wndsrfr]

Thanks... Working FI. Amazingly original. It definitely needs an engine rebuild, though. I've never seen an engine leak so much oil, yet still start and run reliably.

Copious leaking may not require a rebuild.....the "easy" things are the oil cooler seals, pushrod tube seals and don't forget the oil pressure sender. With huge patience all can be done with the engine in the car (but why??) if you're not into dropping it--easy day's work & you're back in business.

[r_towle]

HOT ROD

[Mike Bellis]

I like Phone Dials! Must be why I have 20 of them...

Convert the 1.8 and have fun driving it! Keep the matching # car all stock. Have fun and enjoy them.

[driftingcloud]

Very true on the leaking, and I think you're probably right. Unfortunately, it has less than adequate compression, too, which is what originally put the conversion idea in my head. Hey, if I need to rebuild an engine, I might as well rebuild a more fun engine, right?

[euro911]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

I acquired a 75 that was already back-dated and bastardized, so there was never a thought about restoring to original, however, my wife has a 71 (1.7L) that was totally unmolested. It's in the process of being restored as original as possible.

[Mark Henry]

It's a 1.8 so who cares (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
It not like it's a '73 2.0 or a LE, etc. On top of that you state you don't care about the value of the car.
Bottom line it's your car do what you want, what ever puts smile on your face, not what other say should be done.

My '74 1.8 was basically the same deal and it could have easily been a concours base model 1.8 with just a paint job....boring.
It's on the tail end of getting a hot rodded 3.0 put in it, then I plan to drive it into the ground.