Potential '72... help a rookie with your thoughts. Options

[Midknight]

914 World:

I know somebody that is looking to sell their 914. They've had it for longer than I've known then (20 years), it's been garaged until last year and it's been under a cover on a driveway since then.

As I'm their friend they said, "do you want it for $3000?". After seeing the pictures of it (haven't seen it in person), I can only assume it's worth more than that. I told them that I could not, in good conscience, purchase it at a price that may be 2 or even 5 times lower than it's value and I would help research the value of the car.

It looks like it was modified to 5 lug wheels and outfitted with phone dial rims at some point.

If ya'll could, I'd appreciate it if you could look at the album linked below and give me your thoughts. I'll see if I can't put a few pictures in this post to help out as well. I did, but sorry for the massive size.

Album of pics.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-28878-1752418663.1.jpeg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-28878-1752418664.2.jpeg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-28878-1752418664.3.jpeg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-28878-1752418664.4.png)

[Montreal914]

First, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

This looks like a good starting point and if the car is running, $3k is definitely a good deal. That being said, it will require a more thorough investigation to assess its condition. If your friend you've known for 20 years is offering it to you and you are serious about it, you should buy it and take him for a spin once in a while. Win-win. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Front end doesn't seem to show previous crumbled impact. What are the flares material steel or fiberglass? Original color seems to be Zambezi green.

You will want to further check that under battery tray area (hell hole) but clearly you are aware of it since you have an initial picture of it. Having been store inside for many years was probably a good help!

You will also want to pull the rocker panels off to see if the jack point are in good shape. Be careful not to snap the screws on the underside of the rockers.

You came to the right place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif) You will get all of the support you will need here from very knowledgeable people here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (not me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ). If you are a little handy, you will enjoy tinkering and fully appreciate this wonderul and ahead of ts time little car! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

BTW, I like the look of the phone dials with the flares. Somewhat less racy, more classy with the black.

Keep us posted! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mepstein]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) until you know the actual condition of the car, you have no idea of value. Find someone who knows how to assess the condition of the body. Pics won’t do it until you know where to look.

[Craigers17]

Without going into all the various reasons, I'd give him the 3K without haggling and stay good friends. Between fixing things, replacing worn out things, and updating things to suit your personal style, you'll spend MORE than enough money to where any guilt you might have will quickly melt away. ...unless you just have "F-U" money ....in that case... help him out a bit.

[brant]

As stated above

Pull the rockers on any 914 before purchasing
Rust will add 10k to the repairs
And traditionally previous owners are often not aware or even choose to be not aware of rust

[StarBear]

Lots of us folks here in the NE to help you take a look at it.

[emerygt350]

From the pics it looks good but I would make sure you get into the longs. Without knowing what's hiding I think it's a good looking car, if the longs are in rough shape it's only worth as much as you are willing to put into it.

I suspect the engine is going to need some TLC.just by the condition of the hoses. As long as stuff like the mps is still good, none of that should be too expensive. It's the body work....

And yeah, see if one of us are in your area and we could help. Dr914 also has a helpful video up on YouTube.

[Alfieg23]

I agree with having a thorough pre-purchase inspection performed of the typical rust spots including the longs, the hell hole, the corners of the cowl adjacent to the upper corners of the front hood, the rear trunk floor and the headlight buckets. If those check out fairly well, $3K is a great price. Especially considering the fender flares, 5-lug conversion, sound dash cover and chrome bumpers that appear to be in good condition.

[Shivers]

Maybe your friends just want it to go to the extended family. So they priced it to make sure. I gave my nephew a 300 cd turbodiesel. We wanted him to have it. A very good price, but that is good German steel, designed to rust. So it could be a great price or just a good one. Best of luck

[KELTY360]

That price is probably a good deal, but that’s not the most important thing. Do you want a 914? When well sorted they are fantastic: nimble, functional, unique and unusual But, if you don’t want to deal with the foibles of a 50+ year old car then thank your friend for thinking of you and move on.
If you decide you want it, the advice of getting a PPI is well placed. You’ll know all the faults and areas needing work. Makes a good starting point. Good luck.

[rjames]

Unless I was ok with the possibility of it being a parts car, I wouldn’t spend $3k on it without more info.

[emerygt350]

Unless I was ok with the possibility of it being a parts car, I wouldn’t spend $3k on it without more info.

That sums it up pretty well.